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View Full Version : USD Handles - Any Brethren know a source?


Meat Burner
05-21-2007, 08:22 PM
:confused: Building a UDS and cannot find lid or side handles. Would like wood grips but no luck finding any. Anyone know a source? Thanks for any help!

HoDeDo
05-21-2007, 08:26 PM
If you like spring handles, BBQ Bonanza sells them @ www.kck.com (http://www.kck.com),

tony76248
05-21-2007, 08:27 PM
Run on out to Home Depot, they have all kinds. For mine, I used handles I got off of an old smoker. We also bought a pretty much new grill off of craigslist for $5 and got three handles there. Plus a few other useful pieces of hardware.

If you can find a used weber, that will get you a grate and handles on the cheap.

Meat Burner
05-21-2007, 08:30 PM
Been scopin out everyone's trash....hope I don't get arrested. Tried HD, Lowes, Ace Hardware, local farm store with no luck. I may just gangster my neighbors weber and never tell him...just kidding...I think.

motley que
05-21-2007, 08:50 PM
i also bought an old electric brinkman smoker and used the handles. in addition if you buy a replacement weber lid handle, you can run strip steel through it to bolt to the drum

swamprb
05-21-2007, 09:44 PM
I haven't put any side handles on the drums yet, but used some Genie garage door handles on the center section of the WSM. I need something to hold my thermometers and remote probes so I might play around with this design again.
Here are some ideas from bullet users

http://www.virtualweberbullet.com/worktable.html

I've used Weber handles off rustbucket kettles for lids, or you could take a piece of thin flat stock bend it into a handle and cut a wood dowel in half and secure it to the handle.

Brian

Pyle's BBQ
05-21-2007, 10:00 PM
I am working on a UDS also. A buddy of mine works at a window factory and he is getting sliding glass door handles with wood insert that I can use. If you have a home salvage place in Springfield try there.

Trout_man22
05-22-2007, 11:24 AM
I have had good luck remaking welding hammers for handles I have an Agri Supply near the house but here is what I use. Any welding supply house can get this for you.

http://www.agrisupplyco.com/cgi-bin/cgiitmls?m=ThisP&p=31238

Smokin Gator
05-22-2007, 11:49 AM
On my last one I used the Genie garage door handles. They were a quick, cheap way to do what I wanted.

I was afraid the one on the lid would get too hot so I put a piece of 1/2 inch pipe insulation around it. If you look closely I think you can see it in this pic:

7661
It works perfectly!!!

thirdeye
05-22-2007, 12:40 PM
I'm thinking about making one with the coil spring grip myself, my solid metal one gets hot!

For a touch of elegance, this guy (http://www.lawnrangerbbq.com/index.htm)does wonderful work and makes personalized replacement handles for all kinds of cookers, knives etc. I haven't broken down yet but a lot of folks I know have these. Here is an example of his work.


http://www.lawnrangerbbq.com/images/custom_handle_lg.jpg


http://www.lawnrangerbbq.com/images/handle_lg.jpg

Mark
05-22-2007, 01:51 PM
Make some. Get some aluminum strips about 1" X 12" and bend 45 degree angles about 5" from each end. Then drill a couple of holes in the middle to secure it to the smoker and one on each end for a handle. For handles, get a long bolt and run it through the end holes and some rubber tube and you're done.

tony76248
05-22-2007, 04:00 PM
Buy a large dowel and some angle brackets at Home Depot, that should work well and you can also make them any size you want. I need to make some handles for mine to lift the whole smoker with.

Meat Burner
05-22-2007, 08:41 PM
Make some. Get some aluminum strips about 1" X 12" and bend 45 degree angles about 5" from each end. Then drill a couple of holes in the middle to secure it to the smoker and one on each end for a handle. For handles, get a long bolt and run it through the end holes and some rubber tube and you're done.

Can not find any so going with your advise and making some. It will be simple but I want wood for the grip. I'll post a pic when it's done....unless it looks like chit...then I'll lie and said someone stole them and I have to make more.

Smokin Gator
05-23-2007, 06:05 AM
....unless it looks like chit...then I'll lie and said someone stole them and I have to make more.

Sounds like me when I cook!!!!

Mark
05-23-2007, 08:10 AM
Can not find any so going with your advise and making some. It will be simple but I want wood for the grip. I'll post a pic when it's done....unless it looks like chit...then I'll lie and said someone stole them and I have to make more.
I was having a dyslexic moment. Bend ends @ 90 degrees. And like tony said, a wooden dowel will work. Personally, being a cheap-ass SOB, I'd just cut 6" off a broom handle and use wood screws.

Mark
05-23-2007, 08:12 AM
PS: I thinks the objective of UDS building is to come up with the best/cheapest system possible.

Scrooge Fan
05-23-2007, 09:15 AM
I made the handles for my cooker. Buy a wooden handrail at Manards or Home Depot or a lumber yard. Cut it to any length you like. Drill a 1/4" hole in each end and get some 1/4" by 4 " carriage bolts threaded all the way to the head. Slide the bolt in, add washer, and put on the nut. Then put on another nut about 2" down from first nut, and another washer. Put the open end of the bolts through the holes in your cooker and put on another washer and last nut.

If you want it to have a nice finished look-no threads showing-buy a metal fawcet supply line and put it over the bolt between the handle and the cooker. Then it looks professional. Here's pictures with and without the little piece of supply line.

Meat Burner
05-23-2007, 06:24 PM
Scrooge Fan that's what I did. Turned out just fine. Thanks!!!!!

Scrooge Fan
05-24-2007, 03:40 PM
Scrooge Fan that's what I did. Turned out just fine. Thanks!!!!!

Glad it worked out for you. Did you use the chrome plated supply line to cover the threads?

Meat Burner
05-24-2007, 06:11 PM
Glad it worked out for you. Did you use the chrome plated supply line to cover the threads?
No I didn't but your pics made it look a lot better. If the rains continue, I will probably piddle around and do that. It really does add a nice touch. More than anything I want to fire the bad boy us....the weather needs to cooperate a little. Thanks again.

biffleg
05-24-2007, 07:44 PM
Scrooge Fan -

Do you have pics of the wood frame your barrel is sitting on? From what little I can see in the pic above - I'd like to see the whole thing. Trying to figure out to store the drum my dad and I will be building next week/weekend.

Thanks!

Scrooge Fan
05-26-2007, 07:37 AM
Scrooge Fan -

Do you have pics of the wood frame your barrel is sitting on? From what little I can see in the pic above - I'd like to see the whole thing. Trying to figure out to store the drum my dad and I will be building next week/weekend.

Thanks!

Here's a couple of pictures. The barrel just sits on the galvanized pipes. It's heavy enought to stay in place. Let me know if you want measurements or have any questions.

Meat Burner
05-26-2007, 07:45 AM
Scrooge Fan, have not done anything for a stand. Will build something simple with casters when I can find them cheeeep. Right now it is sitting on 2" patio pavers. That cart looks awsome!

biffleg
05-27-2007, 04:20 PM
Nice looking frame Scrooge - thanks for posting the pics!

vr6Cop
05-27-2007, 10:42 PM
For a touch of elegance, this guy (http://www.lawnrangerbbq.com/index.htm)does wonderful work and makes personalized replacement handles for all kinds of cookers, knives etc. I haven't broken down yet but a lot of folks I know have these...
I have a Lawn Ranger handle on my Egg, and a set of tongs and spatula with custom LR handles. They wre a birthday gift. They will definitely turn any UDS into a "Unique" Drum Smoker, since every piece of wood is different. :cool:

Wayne, pull the trigger on the LR stuff. Definitely worth it.

swamprb
05-27-2007, 11:05 PM
I've become a Weber scrounge, and have been picking up freebies, and using parts off some of the rustbuckets to outfit my UDS's. Handles given a new life!

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t310/swamprb/100_1638.jpg
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t310/swamprb/100_1642.jpg

Brian