Uses for Old Gas BBQs

(Even More) Uses for Old Gas BBQs

moveable work benches...

This is typical of what I recover from the land-fill, if I can easily locate the top half of the enclosure it too is retrieved.

There have even been occasions where I've helped folks in line ahead of me unload their BBQ's and place them right into my trailer before it's unloaded (least there be any dispute over "title of property").

The lids as noted on the previous page are aluminum and as such are the primary recovery material as "Feed-Stock" for the foundry.

These are reduced to crucible sized chunks with the aid of a tractor mounted wood-splitter.

I've busted them with a sledge hammer in the past, and the splitter is by far quicker, easier and neater.

Even the old tanks can be recycled...

In this case I've fashioned a simple "Air-Pig" to fill low tires or provide a measure of air for blowing out dirt while repairing equipment in the field.

I've even used it to run a "Brad-Nailer" for a couple of dozen shots with plenty of air to spare.

The skeletal racks are ideal for the basis of a light duty rolling work-bench.

It is not uncommon to find that the cheap injection molded wheels have cracked or completely broken off.

As there is a steady supply of push lawn-mowers also being recovered at theworkshop.ca sturdier replacements are generally not a problem.

The bottom rack is inverted to act as a semi-contained lower shelf before the new wheels are fitted.

The rack is leveled and drilled to accommodate the lawn-mower wheels.

The wheels are held by 2 (two) 1/4" #20 bolts and nuts through the upright legs.

The cart is fitted with either 3/4" or 1" MDF for the top and secured with 6 to 8 qty 1/4" #20 bolts that are counter-sunk and fitted with washers.

The assembly that originally supported that BBQ shell is flipped over so as to now hang down, and is also fitted with MDF creating another shelf for storage.

This is a minimalist implementation simply to hold some scrap steel until I figure out where to store it.

This is an improvised router table that has met all my needs over the last 2 (two) years.

The router is accessed from below, and is set up through a small hole in the center of the top.

When not in use, by lowering the router the table doubles as a paint or drying table for castings under production.

The table saw is my original or proto-type BBQ conversion.

After many years of service I haven't had to do a thing to it...

...it is after all just a table.

Here is another paint table that has been employed to sort dead hard-disks that are about to be dis-assembled.

Again I can't stress enough how handy it is to be able to set-up a project, and have the flexibility of rolling it about the shop.

Or even to roll it out into the storage shed if something comes in that needs more room in the shop.

Once or twice a month the shop is cleared out completely within 10 minutes for a good cleaning, which never would happen with fixed benches.

This unit was made earlier this summer (2006) as the base of a small milling machine that is in the process of being re-built this winter.

In total I have 8 such rolling racks that have significantly improved the workflow with theworkshop.ca

Considering the low capital cost, gained utility and the application of the materials to a higher use than either land-fill or scrap I feel that this is one of my more practical projects.

Return to Main