Vintage daisy wheel needed


 
Brad Olson

Brad Olson

TVWBB Diamond Member
One of the daisy wheels on my '70s-era 26" Bar-B-Q-Kettle has lost its thumb tab, so I'd like to replace it. However, at some point Weber made the wheel holes larger so while a new wheel will work, it'll look out of place. Does anyone happen to have an old wheel that needs a new home? I'll pay whatever Weber charges for a new wheel (if they still sell them) + 25%, and shipping.

Alternatively, if someone within reasonable driving distance of southern WI wants to part with one I'll pick it up in person this coming weekend and buy lunch at your favorite local, non-chain restaurant. Mrs. O is watching the grandkids and granddogs and I have a pass for a road trip.;)

Thanks!
 
This FB post illustrates it well; I'm looking for the wheel with the single rounded tab:

www.facebook.com

Let's talk bowl vents! From... - Weber Bar-B-Q Kettle History

Let's talk bowl vents! From 1961-1974, Weber Kettle bottom/bowl vents aka "daisy wheels" had a single small rounded edge turn tab. Prior to 1961, the...
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I've never actually measured the size of the holes in the 2 types of wheels; the older ones have always just looked smaller. But in the FB photos they almost look like they could be the same.
 
Good luck finding a grill part that hasn't been made in 50 years.
Here's my alternate idea

Remove your wheel and clamp it with the broken tab facing up
Saw straight down on either side of the original tab
Stop sawing when the depth of your cut equals the height of the tab
Get some pliers and bend up your newly created tab
Get a file and round the edges of the new tab to look original
 
Of course, if you have power tools, this would not be a particularly hard part to recreate from scratch either. Trace it. Band saw the outside. Locate and drill press the five holes. If it needs to be concave (can't tell from the photos), hammer it against a rock or bowling ball or something. Bend the tab up.
 
Could you gorilla glue a small L bracket on there for a thumb tab?
It needs to handle high heat so maybe some high temp silicone?
 
You probably have to keep an eye out for a used 70's kettle. It's too bad this didn't happen earlier, I had one, but the bottom was rusted out. For the longest time I lined the bottom with spent / flattened beer cans, but eventually I tired of doing that and ultimately gave the grill away. The daisy wheels were in perfect shape, I would have popped the rivets and sent them to you because rumor has it, my old kettle is now a planter
 
Brad Olson said:
One of the daisy wheels on my '70s-era 26" Bar-B-Q-Kettle has lost its thumb tab, so I'd like to replace it. However, at some point Weber made the wheel holes larger so while a new wheel will work, it'll look out of place. Does anyone happen to have an old wheel that needs a new home? I'll pay whatever Weber charges for a new wheel (if they still sell them) + 25%, and shipping.

Alternatively, if someone within reasonable driving distance of southern WI wants to part with one I'll pick it up in person this coming weekend and buy lunch at your favorite local, non-chain restaurant. Mrs. O is watching the grandkids and granddogs and I have a pass for a road trip.;)

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Edit: I think you are looking for a bottom vent. If not,...


Is it a top vent like this?

20230808_125405.jpg

A couple more pics. I think this is a 1977 MBH.


20230808_125858.jpg20230808_125937.jpg20230808_125947.jpg
 
Last edited:
Brad,
I have this one. I apparently was getting overzealous with the 0000 steel wool to where the lettering was wearing off, so I stopped cleaning.

You can have this one for the postage if you want it:

IMG_2817.jpeg
IMG_2818.jpeg
 
Thanks for all the replies, and yes, Jon, I'll take it! It looks like a lid vent but maybe I'll get lucky and it'll work on the bowl. I'll send you a PM.

I'll actually be passing through Indiana next week but my route this year doesn't take me very close to Brazil, or I'd definitely buy you lunch!
 
ChuckO said:
You probably have to keep an eye out for a used 70's kettle. It's too bad this didn't happen earlier, I had one, but the bottom was rusted out. For the longest time I lined the bottom with spent / flattened beer cans, but eventually I tired of doing that and ultimately gave the grill away. The daisy wheels were in perfect shape, I would have popped the rivets and sent them to you because rumor has it, my old kettle is now a planter
Click to expand...
Ouch! The wheel in question lost its tab quite some time ago, so I should've been a little more proactive!

For the longest time there was a scrapped yellow kettle at the place I stay on vacation. I was there a couple of weeks back and didn't even think to look for it this year.:(
 
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