Charcoal Basket Mod ? Edit: Now with pics!

Hello again, I got the materials to build my charcoal basket (24x24 extended sheet metal, nuts,bolts,washers) and I have a question. Since I plan on doing the no-weld method (no welder) how to I attach the nuts washers and bolts to make the box? I found some of that iron bracket with holes in it but nobody could tell me whether it was stainless or galvanized or coated in zinc so I just didn't get it. Do I go back and grab some or is there an easy way to attach the sides and such? I don't have any wire available at the moment so if that is my only option and the angled brackets are safe then I'll just go get that instead. Thanks in advance!

Edit: I just finished making the basket. It ain't pretty but it'll be functional me thinks

If you havenot gotten the hardware for it, I have a suggestion. I have the same basket as you, and all I used to keep it together was some rebar ties that i picked up at Lowes. I just threaded them through and twisted them . I onlu used two per corner. I've used the basket many times, and they have held up well. And if they don't you get like 100 of them for like four bucks. Hope this helps.

Well I went back to Lowe's and did some digging myself (since none of the associates knew what I was looking for apparently ) and found those angles brackets (stainless steel) so all is good. One question though, when drilling the holes in the sfb for the rods to hold up the basket, where exactly should I drill the holes? Thanks!!!!

cub4life78 wrote:

Well I went back to Lowe's and did some digging myself (since none of the associates knew what I was looking for apparently ) and found those angles brackets (stainless steel) so all is good. One question though, when drilling the holes in the sfb for the rods to hold up the basket, where exactly should I drill the holes? Thanks!!!!

I didn't drill any holes for rods. I just bought a 30" or so length of 1" steel angle iron cut to about 12 1/2 to 13" in length. The two angle iron pieces sits in the SFB right on the curvature of the SFB. I then sit my charcoal basket on the angle iron. I'm able to remove the charcoal drawer if needed without bothering the charcoal basket. The nut, bolts and washers I used to secure was simple. I fished the bolt through the expanded metal. Just get the bolt, place a washer onto the bolt, large enough so it doesn't slip through the expanded metal. Fish the bolt through the metal, place another washer on the other end and then secure it with the nut.

jazzspot wrote:

cub4life78 wrote:

Well I went back to Lowe's and did some digging myself (since none of the associates knew what I was looking for apparently ) and found those angles brackets (stainless steel) so all is good. One question though, when drilling the holes in the sfb for the rods to hold up the basket, where exactly should I drill the holes? Thanks!!!!

I didn't drill any holes for rods. I just bought a 30" or so length of 1" steel angle iron cut to about 12 1/2 to 13" in length. The two angle iron pieces sits in the SFB right on the curvature of the SFB. I then sit my charcoal basket on the angle iron. I'm able to remove the charcoal drawer if needed without bothering the charcoal basket. The nut, bolts and washers I used to secure was simple. I fished the bolt through the expanded metal. Just get the bolt, place a washer onto the bolt, large enough so it doesn't slip through the expanded metal. Fish the bolt through the metal, place another washer on the other end and then secure it with the nut.

Sounds easy enough, thanks!!

cub4life78 wrote:

Sounds easy enough, thanks!!

Be sure to measure the inside (back-to-front) of the SFB first before you cut the angle iron. Cut too short, and the basket will end up sitting on the slide out charcoal drawer.

Cub, I just made a template using the bolts to hold the grate on the SFB. I inverted the bolts, (studs out) and drilled through 2" below the bolts. Then, I returned the bolts to their normal setting.....Here's a pic.



BTW, the extra length on the threaded rod make perfect BBQ tool hangers.


Cheers,


Dave

MaineiacSmoker wrote:

Cub, I just made a template using the bolts to hold the grate on the SFB. I inverted the bolts, (studs out) and drilled through 2" below the bolts. Then, I returned the bolts to their normal setting.....Here's a pic.



BTW, the extra length on the threaded rod make perfect BBQ tool hangers.


Cheers,


Dave

Looks like that's what I'll be doing, seems easier. Thanks!

For holding up the box, consider this. 4' piece of strap steel that bends by hand, crudely cut with a hack saw to fit, $7 at Menards or Lowe's. Using existing holes and hardware, took all of 5 minutes.

That'll work too!!!


Cheers,


Dave

Here's a closer view of my charcoal basket and angle iron pieces for its support:

Angle iron in the SFB for support of the basket. No drilling required:




Charcoal basket seated on the lips of the angle iron in the SFB:

Triple Threat wrote:

For holding up the box, consider this. 4' piece of strap steel that bends by hand, crudely cut with a hack saw to fit, $7 at Menards or Lowe's. Using existing holes and hardware, took all of 5 minutes.

Triple Threat, that is a good one!! And inexpensive too... which is what matters.

Triple Threat wrote:

For holding up the box, consider this. 4' piece of strap steel that bends by hand, crudely cut with a hack saw to fit, $7 at Menards or Lowe's. Using existing holes and hardware, took all of 5 minutes.

That would have been helpful 20 minutes ago I have a huge roll of that stuff in the garage so next time I'll try that, it did cross my mind but I didn't know if it was coated or anything so I just left it, good tip though! I ended up drilling 4 new holes approx. 2" below and right above the tray slider thingy I poked the threaded rods through and applied washers and nuts inside and out and all is well, box fits, tray slides in and out so hopefully it'll last awhile. One thing though for future modders, when working with that extended sheet metal, WEAR GLOVES and possibly a long sleeve shirt. My hands and arms look like I fought a freaking badger/wolverine all afternoon. I know it's been mentiond before but HEED THE WARNING!!!!!!! Thanks guys for the help, it really helped me get through this modding process. Cheers!!!

jazzspot wrote:

Triple Threat, that is a good one!! And inexpensive too... which is what matters.

Thanks. I kind of impressed myself with it. I'm not too mechanically inclined, nor did I see anyone else do it that way. I was at Menards looking at the angle iron and I spotted the strap steel. And I realized the holes were perfect for a "no drilling" application.

To those interested, just make sure the guage of steel is one you can bend, and know that a 3' piece might not be enough when you consider that there are a couple inches on each side that curve with the sfb to give you the drop. Go with the 4' piece.

cub4life78 wrote:

[Thanks guys for the help, it really helped me get through this modding process. Cheers!!!

We're all glad to be of some assistance to you cub4life.