Upgrading DrumPit Questions...

Hello Friends. The last few weeks when time allowed I would sit in my barn and imagineer...I would think what if, and why for....
I've had a Weber bottom in my way for far too long and am now undertaking the task of fitting it to my DrumPit for duty as the lid.




I'll post up a more complete detailed account of what I'm doing later, but
for the moment I need advice....I've got the traditional "Front" facing the back of the DrumPit, not like the above picture shows, and I have to come up with a snazzy new handle. Maybe a nekkid lady hood ornament perhaps... Along those lines I also need to decide upon a locking latch or latches that will pull the lid down tight. Any suggestions for said latch??? Any and all ideas are welcomed and encouraged......

Indeed I am making use of two bands
of metal in the construction. One is mounted to the inside
of the Weber the other is mounted on the inside of
the DrumPit.....
Confused yet????
I'll try to get some shots of this tonite to better illustrate
my setup.....

Gather ‘round chitlins whilst I whittle ye out a yarn..
Way back in ‘07 or so, I cuts me off a rib from a drum
while making an extension to my DrumPit, and also,
a DrumGrill........



It’s that very rib I have futher trimmed down, kids,
to fit real snug like inside the DrumPit, up against the side
of the lip ........



No squinting needed, a little closer look, for the weak eyed amongst us ........



I used a piece of bar stock
to form a lip on the inside
of the Weber Grill bottom,
bent it with me teeth, I did........



Dry fitted and it is a fine marriage of all parts.
Comfortably Snug........... Hey! Ain’t that a song, man!?!?........



Temporary handle, I am no Marty Leach........



Salvaged heavy steel vaccum frame hinge
aligned perfectly to the Weber handle holes!!
It’s my lucky day!!!! I best goes play the lottery........



Used the 1” bar stock to make an anchor bracket
for attaching the bottom hinge half onto the bolt
of the drum band clamp and for making the spring receivers
bolted to the top hinge half. On the lower band clamp bolt
I’ve fitted a metal fence bracket for the springs to a'fasten........



Upon opening, the springs provide both
the right amount of tension for lift assist
and keeps the lid stable when raised........



A lawnmower wheel mount was fitted to
the band clamp bolt and postioned behind
the upper hinge half to act as a backstop.
It’s sure gosh’a’mighty sturdy right there, too ........



Under the hood I’ve bolted the Weber ash tray
to dampen the vent holes on the Weber bottom.
I’ll adjust the spacing when next I set spark to flame .......



Gaping maw of barbecues to come.......



I've still much to do.............

Did I mention I'm doing this with hand tools, i.e. hand hacksaw,
hand drills, metal file, 5" c-clamps and spring clamps???

On the refurbished DrumPit buggy
complete with a front bumper....



Securing the DrumPit to it's buggy has never been
a concern of mine before, but I gots friends that
wants me to visit them, bringing along
the DrumPit, of course, and I'm trying to make it
travel ready....Bracing the sides....



And the rear support...just fleshing it all out now, gonna replace the Weber
leg with some heavier metal piping....



More adventures to follow.......

Some Augmentation......

The Weber handle metal is not
designed for the purposes I have in
mind so I set about to create a support
brace to take the load bearing weight.

Laying out the metal for the brace....



Checking the bends for fit.....



Bird's eye.......



UniBit makes short work of drilling bolt holes......



Support Brace in place.....



I think so far that the upgrades are
progressing nicely.....



Words of Extreme Caution!!!! Take Heed!!!!!

When one is well gifted with facial hair, be awares
of the surroundings at all times......
I was inspecting hinge clearance when a spring
reached out and plucked a mustache hair.........
I half way expected to hear "Froggy went a'courtin'!"
drifting through the air from a mousey hole in the corner....




More to come..........