56" Vieluxe Redux

[R Chin]

This is what came with my Vieluxe (not sure if it was sold with the Vieluxe or was a rando supplied by the previous owner)
Along with my whack thermometer…

 

[LMichaels]

Jon, the Weber motor could barely spin one turkey. I recall from trying to spin a bird for a thanksgiving dinner that I was asked to do it for. On the Wolf I could spin 2 birds (turkeys) and other than a little sound as it would hit the heavy side it did not seem to struggle. Plus it's got larger accommodation for a larger diameter spit rod. IIRC the Wolf has a 1/2" rod and the Weber is 3/8" or 1/4" not 100% sure which anymore

 

[Jon Tofte]

This is what came with my Vieluxe (not sure if it was sold with the Vieluxe or was a rando supplied by the previous owner)
Along with my whack thermometer…

I would say that the one in your photo is the original. Looks much beefier than the typical black Weber ones.

 

[Jon Tofte]

Jon, the Weber motor could barely spin one turkey. I recall from trying to spin a bird for a thanksgiving dinner that I was asked to do it for. On the Wolf I could spin 2 birds (turkeys) and other than a little sound as it would hit the heavy side it did not seem to struggle. Plus it's got larger accommodation for a larger diameter spit rod. IIRC the Wolf has a 1/2" rod and the Weber is 3/8" or 1/4" not 100% sure which anymore

Thank you, Larry! I went ahead and snagged that one. Looks like the original, 304 stainless, and plenty of power.

 

[LMichaels]

Thank you, Larry! I went ahead and snagged that one. Looks like the original, 304 stainless, and plenty of power.

I don't remember what the motor bracket looks like on the Vieluxe as it was MANY years ago when Weber was selling them at dealers I saw one. And the price about made me drop to my knees so not much more attention was paid to it

 

[John-NY]

I’ve only been reading this thread for one day and it’s already manifesting itself everywhere I look

 

[JeffG]

What a great read.

 

[Jon Tofte]

I don't remember what the motor bracket looks like on the Vieluxe as it was MANY years ago when Weber was selling them at dealers I saw one. And the price about made me drop to my knees so not much more attention was paid to it

Looks pretty standard. I will post a picture.

EDIT: Here you go:

 

[Jon Tofte]

ONE LITTLE PIECE OF PROGRESS

I have had a number of family and work issues prevent me from getting much done on this Vieluxe. I am trying to at least start getting some smaller parts worked on so I can store them once restored and have them ready to reinstall once the main work is done - which may well be many months from now.

Since I just bought on eBay the nice used rotisserie motor @LMichaels recommended, I decided that getting the rotisserie components cleaned up, and some kind of storage for them, would be an easy start.

I posted earlier that the spit and the 4 forks (all stainless) were all present, but one fork was missing its tightener. Looking at the others - with an inexperienced accountant’s eye - I thought it might be possible to fabricate one inexpensively from a stainless bolt of the same thread size.

I dropped by my local Ace Hardware in their new and much larger digs. It is hard for me to get in and out of this new location quickly as they now have a GREAT selection of Weber grills ! I found the bolt I needed and took it out to my messy shop placing it in my cheap Harbor Freight vice. @Josh Dekubber you were killing me with some of those restorations of classic US made vices. My FBM feed still brings up some Wilton, Sears and other gems I look at wistfully. Maybe someday.

Lacking anything but my cheap vice, a nice Estwing hammer, and a HF cutoff tool (at least with a Milwaukee wheel) there was only so much an accountant could do. Nonetheless, I am satisfied and glad to have a 4th tightener. My fabbed one is on top;



I put the forks and tighteners in a small bucket to soak in a degreaser solution. I will hand clean the spit which is hardly dirty anyway. I would like to find a box these parts and the motor can be stored in when not being used.

 

[Jon Tofte]

Jon, the Weber motor could barely spin one turkey. I recall from trying to spin a bird for a thanksgiving dinner that I was asked to do it for. On the Wolf I could spin 2 birds (turkeys) and other than a little sound as it would hit the heavy side it did not seem to struggle. Plus it's got larger accommodation for a larger diameter spit rod. IIRC the Wolf has a 1/2" rod and the Weber is 3/8" or 1/4" not 100% sure which anymore

The Vieluxe also has a 1/2 inch spit.

 

[Jon Tofte]

I promised to post a picture of the massive cast iron side burner grates in their “as is” condition:



Cleaning these and storing them out of the elements is a priority. Considering the many years they likely sat outside year round, I think they look pretty good. A testimony to their extreme build. I can’t think of any other grill that has side burners this hefty or as large!

 

[Steve Hoch]

I promised to post a picture of the massive cast iron side burner grates in their “as is” condition:

View attachment 116607

Cleaning these and storing them out of the elements is a priority. Considering the many years they likely sat outside year round, I think they look pretty good. A testimony to their extreme build. I can’t think of any other grill that has side burners this hefty or as large!

Those do still look pretty good and I'm sure they will look new when you're done.

 

[R Chin]

I promised to post a picture of the massive cast iron side burner grates in their “as is” condition:

View attachment 116607

Cleaning these and storing them out of the elements is a priority. Considering the many years they likely sat outside year round, I think they look pretty good. A testimony to their extreme build. I can’t think of any other grill that has side burners this hefty or as large!

My grates are exactly the same. I saw a different design that had one grate that spanned both burners.

The basin with the burners has no obvious drainage. Liquids will just pool and gradually seep out under the burners and seams in the sheet metal.

Be careful with removal and assembly of the sliding burner cover. There is a gas valve with a yoke on it that is actuated as the cover opens and closes - this is a safety shutoff that prevents gas supply to burners when cover is closed.

 

[Cody Bratton]

Nice fab work. Reach out if you want a matching knurled one.

 

[R Chin]

This is the counterbalance I bought for $9 (now $21) from amazon

onlyfire Stainless Steel Replacement Spit Counter Balance and Bushing Kit for Grills

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071YV2SFF?tag=tvwb-20

 

[Steve Hoch]

Nice fab work. Reach out if you want a matching knurled one.

You've got one of those?

 

[Cody Bratton]

The newer summits still use those same thumb screws

 

[LMichaels]

Oddly I have never used a counterbalance weight while spinning food (though I likely should have) Jon, those burner grates look like something off a large commercial kitchen stove. Very impressive. I am sure this will be a thing of beauty. What will it ultimately be for? Showpiece or an actual cooker? I know if it was me with one and as much ambition as you, I'd be turning out food on that monster

 

[Wilmer Cogburn]

My Wolf grill is similar to @LMichaels and also came with a Gleason Avery spit motor pictured below. Appears just like the one you bought on Ebay (nice find!). The motor quit several years ago but I have kept it somewhere.


I had contacted Gleason Avery to buy a replacement, but the wait time was too long (this was during Covid). Here is a link to the current web site and I see it shows your exact knurled tightener for the spit fork; perhaps you can buy one?

Rotisserie Motors Archives - Gleason Avery

Industry-leading custom rotisserie motors for OEM manufacturers provide lasting quality, various features, and custom designs suitable for stainless steel cooking appliances.

gleasonavery.com

Needing a rotisserie motor, I bought a OneGrill 4PM08 but I see it is not available now.

Amazon.com : OneGrill 4PM08 Heavy Duty Stainless Steel Grill Rotisserie Motor - Electric 27 Watt 110/120 Volt - 200 in./lbs. Stall Torque - 5/16 Inch Square Drive - All Metal Commercial Grade Geartrain : Heavy Duty Grill Rotisserie Motor : Patio, Law

Amazon.com : OneGrill 4PM08 Heavy Duty Stainless Steel Grill Rotisserie Motor - Electric 27 Watt 110/120 Volt - 200 in./lbs. Stall Torque - 5/16 Inch Square Drive - All Metal Commercial Grade Geartrain : Heavy Duty Grill Rotisserie Motor : Patio, Lawn & Garden

www.amazon.com

The spit motor did not match my spit rod. So I used one of these drain plug adapters


I had to bore the inside of the adapter to accommodate the pointed tip of the spit rod and permit the square shaft to properly engage. Used my lathe for its first real job for me!


Sorry if this is a thread derail.

Watching your restoration carefully.

 

[Jon Tofte]

My Wolf grill is similar to @LMichaels and also came with a Gleason Avery spit motor pictured below. Appears just like the one you bought on Ebay (nice find!). The motor quit several years ago but I have kept it somewhere.
View attachment 116615

I had contacted Gleason Avery to buy a replacement, but the wait time was too long (this was during Covid). Here is a link to the current web site and I see it shows your exact knurled tightener for the spit fork; perhaps you can buy one?

Rotisserie Motors Archives - Gleason Avery

Industry-leading custom rotisserie motors for OEM manufacturers provide lasting quality, various features, and custom designs suitable for stainless steel cooking appliances.

gleasonavery.com

View attachment 116616

Needing a rotisserie motor, I bought a OneGrill 4PM08 but I see it is not available now.

Amazon.com : OneGrill 4PM08 Heavy Duty Stainless Steel Grill Rotisserie Motor - Electric 27 Watt 110/120 Volt - 200 in./lbs. Stall Torque - 5/16 Inch Square Drive - All Metal Commercial Grade Geartrain : Heavy Duty Grill Rotisserie Motor : Patio, Law

Amazon.com : OneGrill 4PM08 Heavy Duty Stainless Steel Grill Rotisserie Motor - Electric 27 Watt 110/120 Volt - 200 in./lbs. Stall Torque - 5/16 Inch Square Drive - All Metal Commercial Grade Geartrain : Heavy Duty Grill Rotisserie Motor : Patio, Lawn & Garden

www.amazon.com

The spit motor did not match my spit rod. So I used one of these drain plug adapters
View attachment 116617

I had to bore the inside of the adapter to accommodate the pointed tip of the spit rod and permit the square shaft to properly engage. Used my lathe for its first real job for me!
View attachment 116618View attachment 116619View attachment 116620View attachment 116621View attachment 116622

Sorry if this is a thread derail.

Watching your restoration carefully.

Not at all a derail. Lots of helpful information for me as well as future restorers.