HOW TO: Weber Frame Cross Member repair
Rusty James
TVWBB Emerald Member
Great video!
I like those hand grinders, but I injured my hand (no gloves), and it took months to heal. I was using a flapping sanding disc.
I like those hand grinders, but I injured my hand (no gloves), and it took months to heal. I was using a flapping sanding disc.
Rusty James
TVWBB Emerald Member
A good apron isn't a bad idea too. Don't use a frayed denim apron though. Mine caught fire at work while using a 7" pneumatic grinder!
Howdy folks, long time no see. Been in the charcoal world and away from gasses for a bit. Picked a 2006 Genny C up to rehab for a friend and of course, rusted cross member.
Bruce, thanks for the vid!
Couple things I ran into, at leastnonenif which has been mentioned. Don't know if it was a typo or what, but I can't for the life of m figure out how to get a 1/4in hex bolt through a 5/32" hole.
Saw someone ask how to line up where to drill the hole. If you want to try and be really accurate, there are many ways, but here is what I did.
Tape off the front face of the T where you are going to drill. Use 3 inch strips. Grab the cross member you cut off, or it's new replacement. Placent against the face of the front leg so that it sticks up above where you want to drill. Use as a straight edge and draw lines down each side. You now have verticle lines 1.25 inches apart. Again using straight edge, draw diagonals to connect the corners. Make real sure that yournlune starts at the top edge of the square tube and goes to bottom edge. (If your starting point at the top is a 1/16th low, that alone will throw things off. ) That'll give you an X. Center of X is where you want to drill.
On the Genny I'm working on, I did run into the issue where the tongue from the side table tube ran into both my through bolts. Looking at the gap in the joint, I could see that the tongue was just barely hitting.
My solution was to grab my die grinder, pop on a burring bit and just grind a small horizintal groove into the end of that tongue. If you don't have a die ginger, you could probably put the square tube in a vise and use an angle grinder to shave a groove.
Anyways, off to clean some steel, prime and paint.
Bruce, thanks for the vid!
Couple things I ran into, at leastnonenif which has been mentioned. Don't know if it was a typo or what, but I can't for the life of m figure out how to get a 1/4in hex bolt through a 5/32" hole.
Saw someone ask how to line up where to drill the hole. If you want to try and be really accurate, there are many ways, but here is what I did.
Tape off the front face of the T where you are going to drill. Use 3 inch strips. Grab the cross member you cut off, or it's new replacement. Placent against the face of the front leg so that it sticks up above where you want to drill. Use as a straight edge and draw lines down each side. You now have verticle lines 1.25 inches apart. Again using straight edge, draw diagonals to connect the corners. Make real sure that yournlune starts at the top edge of the square tube and goes to bottom edge. (If your starting point at the top is a 1/16th low, that alone will throw things off. ) That'll give you an X. Center of X is where you want to drill.
On the Genny I'm working on, I did run into the issue where the tongue from the side table tube ran into both my through bolts. Looking at the gap in the joint, I could see that the tongue was just barely hitting.
My solution was to grab my die grinder, pop on a burring bit and just grind a small horizintal groove into the end of that tongue. If you don't have a die ginger, you could probably put the square tube in a vise and use an angle grinder to shave a groove.
Anyways, off to clean some steel, prime and paint.
By the way, check around and see if you have a Metal Supermarket. Don't know if it's company wide policy, but mine sells scrap pieces for $1 per piund.
There was plenty for me to pick from, but I ended up with 2 20inch pieces for $4. $5 really as that's their minimum for a cash sale.
There was plenty for me to pick from, but I ended up with 2 20inch pieces for $4. $5 really as that's their minimum for a cash sale.
That's a bummer. Might check to see if there's a similar type shop and if they sell their scrap pieces.
Fwiw, I didn't even know about it. I was about to try and buy a stick at the counter when someone else came in and asked "hey, can I checked the scrap shelf". . 8 then asked about it
Bruce
TVWBB 2-Star Olympian
If I need steel, I usually check the FB MP for adds. My son also works as a welder at an outfit that makes huge vats for beverages and he has access to some scrap stainless steel. That is all they use there.
He made me some steps for my pickup out of the 304 Stainless and welded them to my truck frame. I put Herculiner bed liner on them for traction.
He made me some steps for my pickup out of the 304 Stainless and welded them to my truck frame. I put Herculiner bed liner on them for traction.
John-NY
TVWBB Pro
I’m so glad you mentioned this!
I ran into this issue with this first one I ever did like 6 months ago.
I’m about to do another one soon and completely forgot about this pitfall. I’ll have to make sure I’m far enough to the right when I drill.
If you move too far, cross member might not line up. Shaving that tongue is pretty easy.