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Midnight Smoke
10-10-2013, 01:46 PM
I have not posted much in awhile, been busy with some projects around the house. For one I am in the middle of resurfacing my kitchen cabinets. Hope to have that done in 2 weeks.

So in my down time waiting for stain to dry I made a new handle for my Egg.

The tree is an Acacia, come to find out it is an Exotic type of tree. I had to do a little pruning, 1st thing I made was a hiking stick, it came out so good I knew it would look good as a handle. The wood is very hard similar to Mesquite, not sure how it would do a wood for Smoking meat.

First the tree, it actually leaned over last year during a big wind storm, we thought it was gone but it seems to be happy.

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k66/photolinks/Misc/BGE%20Handle/Picture207_zpsd0cccfe6.jpg

Started with a limb as straight as I could find.

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k66/photolinks/Misc/BGE%20Handle/Picture211_zps29147b62.jpg

I had a buddy cut it in half with a Band Saw and then secured it with some metal straps. I used the old handle as a template for drilling the holes and cut to length.

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k66/photolinks/Misc/BGE%20Handle/Picture013_zpsdf72f038.jpg

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k66/photolinks/Misc/BGE%20Handle/Picture009_zps72172bff.jpg

The bark is so hard a 40 Grit orbital sander just bounced around on it. Took the Makita grinder and smoothed it down.

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k66/photolinks/Misc/BGE%20Handle/Picture057_zps8d7b1b8d.jpg

Preparing to finish sanding and ready for stain and exterior Spar coating, I used 5 coats. I have some concerns about how it will hold up in the Arizona summers, I try to keep the Egg under the patio most times.

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k66/photolinks/Misc/BGE%20Handle/Picture067_zpse990d912.jpg

So it came out pretty good for a 1st time try. Fits my hand better and has a nice beefy look.

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k66/photolinks/Misc/BGE%20Handle/Picture204_zps080c7cbb.jpg

After it was done I thought Dowel pins may have worked better. The screws are Stainless Steel so they will last a lifetime.

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k66/photolinks/Misc/BGE%20Handle/Picture186_zps8df23c5e.jpg

Thanks for checking it out. Let me know what you all think.

J15491
10-10-2013, 01:54 PM
COOL:cool:

peeps
10-10-2013, 01:54 PM
nicely done!

HeSmellsLikeSmoke
10-10-2013, 02:23 PM
Love the look of that wood. :thumb:

el_matt
10-10-2013, 02:34 PM
That is a beefy handle. Looks really good.

Matt

caliking
10-10-2013, 02:36 PM
Looks beautiful. Should be even better as it ages a bit over time.

Jaskew82
10-10-2013, 02:39 PM
That looks killer! Great job!

winochef
10-10-2013, 02:59 PM
absolutely beautiful! I have a lg. BGE and your handle is huge compared to mine! I have handle envy.

hav
10-10-2013, 03:15 PM
Looks great brother!

Yellowhair42
10-10-2013, 04:39 PM
WOW! I envy you not having to ever mow the lawn.

Smoothsmoke
10-10-2013, 06:11 PM
Awesome!

Midnight Smoke
10-10-2013, 11:41 PM
Thanks All! I have to ask, where all the old timers, have ye all abandoned me...?

martyleach
10-10-2013, 11:52 PM
Very pretty but...... I would have put the screws in from the backside so you can't see them. However, I have made several BGE handles in my lifetime.
I really like the wood! Nicely done!

Melt In The Sun
10-11-2013, 12:59 PM
Very cool! The rest of those trimmings will work just fine in your smoker...I've burned a lot of acacia and it works very well.

PappaOscar
10-11-2013, 01:23 PM
Like the look of natural wood from the wood pile.