Bracing the WSM legs

[Phil Perrin]

After almost losing all my food for Smoke Day,I decided to brace the legs. I bought a piece of aluminum,1/8" X 1 1/4" X 48". Unfortunately,it wouldn't go arount the outside of the legs(49 1/2" around). So,I cut it into 16" lengths,and attached it to the inside of the legs,thus. I also had to replace one of the wheels. It got melted while doing the hot squat save!

 

[George Curtis]

what ?

 

[Phil Perrin]

Yeah,it's in the Smoke Day section. When I did the hot squat,some coals fell out and melted one of the wheels. But it's feeling much better now!

 

[Chad Anderson]

Are those legs the stock legs that came with the wsm? If they are, why did they fail?

 

[Phil Perrin]

Yes they are the stock legs. One of the holes wasn't centered,so with all the weight(3 butts and a 12 lb brisket), it wasn't supported directly under the legs. But I got it fixed.

 

[George Curtis]

i looked at a earlier pic and it looks like the legs were already bent or deformed cuz they sure don't look normal. that may be the reason.

 

[timothy]

That was a smart idea Phil.
The stock WSM legs are very stable, as they have contact with the ground which causes friction.
When using 3 unlocking wheels, and a good amount of mass loaded on, I could see a reason for the legs to splay, or bend out..
I read your other post.. Nice save!

Tim

 

[John09]

Looks like a good idea, does it seem to work pretty well?

I've also done the casters mounted directly to the legs thing and find it to be stressful on the legs, I was thinking mount it to a platform but this is cleaner.

 

[Phil Perrin]

John,the whole reinforcement cost less than $8 and took just over an hour! Very simple to do.

 

[Donald]

Nice use of aluminum Phil.

I used half inch galv pipe to sturdy up my legs:

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content"> It got melted while doing the hot squat save! </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

What? I haven't tried that one yet. Do you need more than one player?

 

[Chris E]

I'm guessing weber designed that cheesy little drip pan for more than catching drips. I was going to ditch it when I put on wheels but think I'll wire it to the lets so it doesnt' keep falling off when I dump it.

 

[Chris Allingham]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Chris E:
I'm guessing weber designed that cheesy little drip pan for more than catching drips. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>It's not a drip pan, it's a heat shield. Not sure that those little slits that hold the heat shield in place are strong enough to provide support to legs with casters added.

Regards,
Chris