I have *zero* carpentry skills, building from scratch was not an option, so I began to think...
I figured I could find a table that was at least 6 feet long, cut two holes in it, and have 18" of space between them. I checked the thrift stores, Craigslist, I even went so far as to check out new "cheap" tables. After about a month of searching, I found this nearby on Craigslist:
A hundred bucks for a six foot table and 4 chairs. It's laminated length wise with about 1.5" strips, about 1.75 inches thick. I didn't seen any manufacturer for it, but the matching chairs were from Ikea, so I assume the same.
Step 1: Reinforce the legs, and create a place for a shelf:
Step two: Add casters.
Step three, cut the holes:
Note that the two holes don't line up. I wanted to preserve the lid basket on the SNS, so that cut had to be moved more towards the center in order to avoid the table leg. I also had to remove the stringer at the end of the table so the kettle could stick out. A big reason behind the 2x4 reinforcement earlier. Also note that the 1989 vintage $15.00 (at the time) jigsaw struggled mightily. Anytime it got to a joint where 2 strips were glued, it nearly stopped it. But after about an hour, that little saw powered through, and I had my holes.
Step 4, "mount" the kettles. Both Kettles would be "gravity" mounts- the Weber would just rest on it's handles. I found some corner brackets that I could just set the SNS on- the rolled lip fits right over the brackets. No drilling! Yay!
Finished table, including tool hooks, bottle openers and a hole in the middle for an umbrella:
In its place in my "kitchen"
I don't know if I am completely done yet. I am for sure going to slide in a piece of plywood for a shelf on the 2x4 structure. I had planned on running some aluminum flashing around the holes as a heat shield, but after cooking a tri tip on the SNS last night, I don't think it is necessary. The temperature at the wood next to where the fire was never registered more than 10 degrees above ambient.
Final Cost:
Table - $100.00
2X4's - $20.00
Casters- $15.00
Misc nails, screws, brackets- About $20.00
Tool hooks (12) and bottle openers - $40.00
Total Cost- $195.00
Hours spent- About 7, with part of that being the obligatory multiple trips to Lowe's/HD/Ace as the project progressed.
Worth it?
Heck yeah!
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