SF Handle Modification

[MojoBones]

Hey all,

Does anyone happen to know the specs on the SF main handle off hand? I am specifically looking for: O.D. / I.D. / wall thickness.

I recently purchased a front table for my EX6 and want to modify the front handle to allow more room between it and the tabletop.

 

[Mr. X]

Hey all,

Does anyone happen to know the specs on the SF main handle off hand? I am specifically looking for: O.D. / I.D. / wall thickness.

I recently purchased a front table for my EX6 and want to modify the front handle to allow more room between it and the tabletop.

interesting- i was thinking of modifying the brackets on the table as I think it is way too close to the handle as well. Kinda flimsy too

 

[JpsBBQ]

Interested in the outcomes. Keep us posted.

 

[abmet]

Interested in the outcomes. Keep us posted.

Me too, was thinking be nice if the handle was a little higher to give more front table clearance.

 

[bbqking]

I can’t count the times I closed the lid/handle into food. I can avoid it now, but that is a great idea.

 

[JYD-BBQ]

I was thinking of replacing the handle with (2) small handles, one at each end, nothing in the middle to get in the way.

 

[Mr. X]

I was thinking of replacing the handle with (2) small handles, one at each end, nothing in the middle to get in the way.

that's easy enough to work. I did try the Weber grill light that clamps onto the handle but because of the position etc. it doesn't work- so this wouldn't be an issue there

 

[bbqking]

I have the magnetic led lights that can attach to the table. The neck is bendable.

 

[Mr. X]

I have the magnetic led lights that can attach to the table. The neck is bendable.

yes the thing that i like on the weber one is that it is motion activated. I'm thinking of adding some string led garden lights above my grills to be able to turn on with my smarthub/alexa.

 

[rexster314]

I was thinking of replacing the handle with (2) small handles, one at each end, nothing in the middle to get in the way.

gonna be some undue strain on the lid, and eventually will warp the lid.

 

[MojoBones]

Well I just got the table in today and I will post any progress but it might be a little slower going than originally planned as I am also restringing goals and preparing practice plans for the spring lacrosse season so this project's priority got bumped down a bit. I am definitely thinking of keeping it a single handle and just raising it a bit. Hopefully that design will keep things more balanced and in tolerance.

 

[abmet]

I was thinking of replacing the handle with (2) small handles, one at each end, nothing in the middle to get in the way.

Like some bull horns?

 

[Tyler6590]

Like some bull horns?

I'd love to throw on some Rectec horns but I doubt it would fit

 

[JpsBBQ]

I'd love to throw on some Rectec horns but I doubt it would fit

Not my style, but I don’t know why they wouldn’t work if that’s what you want.

I’m a bit skeptical of the offset handle idea as it may cause binding when opening the lid. I suppose I could just open mine while holding the edge of the handle as an experiment. Not quite accurate as the solid handle will transfer some torque to the other side of the handle, but if it is an issue with your solid handle it would definitely be one for a split handle. standing by for the results.

 

[MojoBones]

Ahh, I get what you are saying about possibly causing binding now. I wasn't thinking about the change of the angle upon lifting. I was originally thinking you might get a twisting torque with small handles facing outward however, come to think of it, I often grab and lift the right most corner only without issue when I have a pan/tray in my left hand. Man, I had a structural / mechanical engineer over today and didn't even think about running ideas by someone a lot smarter than me. Gah!

 

[MojoBones]

So I made it out to the grill over my lunch hour today, there is still a good 10 inches of snow in the backyard from the weekend, and proceeded to remove the handle with the idea of going to a big box hardware store on Friday to pick up digital calipers in order to get accurate measurements. The funny thing was, about an hour later, I was distracted from my work because my den smelled of wood smoke from the handle I had left on a shelf. Nice. It made me think someone ought to make air fresheners in charred hickory/cherry blend scent.

 

[LS2008]

So I made it out to the grill over my lunch hour today, there is still a good 10 inches of snow in the backyard from the weekend, and proceeded to remove the handle with the idea of going to a big box hardware store on Friday to pick up digital calipers in order to get accurate measurements. The funny thing was, about an hour later, I was distracted from my work because my den smelled of wood smoke from the handle I had left on a shelf. Nice. It made me think someone ought to make air fresheners in charred hickory/cherry blend scent.

 

[MojoBones]

Baby step sized progress. I ordered this handle from Amazon: A 5" stainless coil spring with a 1/2 stainless steel rod as a potential replacement that won't interfere as much with a font table. Turns out the original bolt is 1/4"-20 so, instead of prepping for my coaches meeting this evening, I went out and picked up some cutting oil and rethreaded my handle so it now fits nicely with the original mounting hardware (no holes to plug). I am not sure I will like the look, but truthfully I wanted it more for testing the lift on the lid rather than looks. If I do keep it, I will likely find a polished stainless steel cap and drill through the center to make it look a bit more finished. I'll post it mounted in the near future.

 

[MojoBones]

Okay so this experiment ultimately failed but it gave me something to do when there was too much snow to get at my grills. The single handle still made for an easy lift and closure but most of all it put a lot more stress on the opposite hinge than I thought it would. This was especially noticeable when you closed the lid. Near the end of the travel, the opposite end would fall out of alignment so not a good workaround. I also didn't like the look of the handle that much either. Having reinstalled the normal handle with the front table (which I can see why some people would have issues with it), I think it will give me the room I need, when I need it and be out of the way most of the time.

Now, with about 50% of the area clear of snow, it is time to clean the grills up, get setup for the Spring / Summer, and get cooking again!

 

[rexster314]

When I first read of this experiment, I thought that your solution would lead to over torquing the lid/hinges. Perhaps a 6-7" handle in the middle of the lid would be better, giving more room on the shelves that way. But that entails drilling holes in the lid which I can't see myself doing, especially since the EX6 is only 3 months old.
I need to look and see if I could relocate the shelf mounts about 3 inches lower for more room.