WSM Wheels


 
Shaun R

Shaun R

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These are my new wheels. This modification will work on the 22 and the 18.











This only raised the WSM 1 inch. I used the same size rod 3/8 (I believe) from a regular kettle only longer. I drilled a 5/8 hole on each side and slid it through. I made the square steel brackets from a large steel Home Depot square washer for strengh. I added a spacer on each side of the rod to hold it in place and put on the wheels. The spacer rests against the original legs and are tightened with an allen bolt which may not be needed but it came on the spacer. I don't reccomend useing original Weber wheels because I think they are too weak. I used a steel wheel. The WSM becomes very heavy when it's loaded. I used an adjustable carriage bolt in front for leveling. I also added a handle for moving it. You may also notice that I used four sheetmetal screws at the base to fasten the bottom and middle together to keep it from coming apart when moving it. Those screws can also be painted black for looks. It's mobile like a kettle now. I also like that it looks original/retro and glides nicely.
 
Nice work Shaun! I like the "wetro wed wheels"
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LooksSharp!!
 
Shaun,

I've looked at all the wheel mods trying to find a way to move my WSM around and this one looks like the winner for me. Thanks for the info and the idea. As I tell my children, we all win when we share. Thanks for sharing!
 
This is how my wheel mod turned out. I have used the same principle as Shaun and drilled holes through the aluminum legs. However since I wanted a front wheel as well I had to drill the holes for the rod quit far down on the legs in order to get the VSM level and that meant I had to cut away some material on the inside part of the leg.

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The wheels I choose was Webers 6" wheels for their charcoal grills and their caster for the gas grills. The reason I didn't choose steel wheels was that I don't intend to move it once it is fired up and if their wheels are able to hold up to the weight of a charcoal/gas frill then they should hold up for my 18" VSM, but I guess time will tell.

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For spacers I found some drill stops at Home Depot that had an allen bolt and I used two inside the 6" wheels and one on the caster, which meant I had to get two packages. The rod is the same 3/8" as Shaun has. I also made some square washers but I never added them since I don't think that it will be necessary, the whole construction is very ridged as it is and I think that an 18" VSM is a lot lighter than the 22" version.

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Having the caster as a third wheel also makes it quit easy to move the VSM around by only pulling on the lid handle, provided the surface is relatively smooth, I wouldn't want to pull it on gravel or on uneven ground, then a different construction is definitely needed.
 
Very cool! I've got some casters that I'm going to add to my WSM. That way I can access the vents in the grill surround I'm in the middle of building. But your's look really neat! Good job!
 
I modded my 22.5 WSM and added some plastic casters from McMaster Carr. Just under $12 shipped in one day. If you do this make sure you have the stems exactly in the leg center, escpecially front to back, or right at the point whre the leg touches the ground. One of mine doesn't spin right. Anyway they work great and have wheel locks.

Link to wheels:

Wheels
 
Has anyone seen a dolly similar to one a trash can could fit on with wheels on the bottom? I envision the 22" WSM sitting on the cart and making it mobile by just sitting it on the dolly like an industial can.
 
Morrey-

That is exactly what my dad built to make his WSM portable. Simple wood frame and platform, with swivel casters at the four corners. In his typical DUY fashion, he held the legs to the platform with nails driven on either side, then bent over the leg.
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R
 
OK, but that's WAY overkill. I suspect you won't be putting enough meat in the WSM to reach 1000 lbs.
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Let's WSM 22.5 at 54 lbs., 6 15 lb. roasts at 90 lbs., two gal. water at 17 lb., and 8 lbs. charcoal -- uh, (chugga, chugga, bing!) 181 lbs. -- nope, not 1000.
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Not a bad price, though. Those heavy duty caster can cost. Rich
 
I wasn't looking for weight capacity, just a large enough platform to set the WSM on without too much work in modifying it. And maybe room for a small cooler, not that anyone drinks cold beverages while cooking.
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I figured the smaller dollies might be prone to tipping over when you moved the WSM.
 
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