I'm not a fan of the OEM plastic wheels with their flimsy construction, inside "spider pockets" and Jeep tread.
I've seen where some have used golf cart wheels or lawnmower wheels for replacements, so I thought I'd give it a go.
I used these wheels...
Shaft spacers...
The operating room...
Tools front to back...
Hubcap tool
Sharpie (not used)
Pen - used to mark cuts on shaft spacers
Mylar tape - used to shim shaft spacers
Small pry bar
Utility knife - for trimming Mylar tape
Scissors - for cutting tape
Pliers - for holding shaft spacers while cutting
Bastard file - for touching up OD of spacers
Chainsaw file - for touching up ID of spacers
4-1/2" angle grinder w/cut-off disk - for cutting shaft spacers
Re-used the Weber "hubcaps" (push nuts)
The wheels have two ball bearings per wheel. (overkill, but cool)
These wheels have a 1-1/2" long hub which is about the same as OEM but they have 1-3/4" wide tread which is 1/4" wider than OEM.
I used two nylon washers to space the wheels away from the legs.
Most of the lawmower wheels have a 1/2" ID bearing bore.
The kettle has a 3/8"OD axle so you need a 3/8" - 1/2" shaft spacer.
I ended up with low tech, "rolled" spacers which needed Mylar tape shimming on their OD to snug up to the bearings.
Mylar doesn't compress much so it makes good thin shimstock, where electrical tape would be a bad choice because of it softness.
My shaft spacers were too long and had to be cut down to match the hub length.
It was an easy mod and I'm happy with the stoutness and the look.
Kind of "Little Red Wagon" retro.
I need a logo on this kettle...
I've seen where some have used golf cart wheels or lawnmower wheels for replacements, so I thought I'd give it a go.
I used these wheels...
Shaft spacers...
The operating room...
Tools front to back...
Hubcap tool
Sharpie (not used)
Pen - used to mark cuts on shaft spacers
Mylar tape - used to shim shaft spacers
Small pry bar
Utility knife - for trimming Mylar tape
Scissors - for cutting tape
Pliers - for holding shaft spacers while cutting
Bastard file - for touching up OD of spacers
Chainsaw file - for touching up ID of spacers
4-1/2" angle grinder w/cut-off disk - for cutting shaft spacers
Re-used the Weber "hubcaps" (push nuts)
The wheels have two ball bearings per wheel. (overkill, but cool)
These wheels have a 1-1/2" long hub which is about the same as OEM but they have 1-3/4" wide tread which is 1/4" wider than OEM.
I used two nylon washers to space the wheels away from the legs.
Most of the lawmower wheels have a 1/2" ID bearing bore.
The kettle has a 3/8"OD axle so you need a 3/8" - 1/2" shaft spacer.
I ended up with low tech, "rolled" spacers which needed Mylar tape shimming on their OD to snug up to the bearings.
Mylar doesn't compress much so it makes good thin shimstock, where electrical tape would be a bad choice because of it softness.
My shaft spacers were too long and had to be cut down to match the hub length.
It was an easy mod and I'm happy with the stoutness and the look.
Kind of "Little Red Wagon" retro.
I need a logo on this kettle...
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