Handles for MES 30

  • Some of the links on this forum allow SMF, at no cost to you, to earn a small commission when you click through and make a purchase. Let me know if you have any questions about this.
SMF is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

dirtworldmike

Meat Mopper
Original poster
Sep 25, 2009
263
76
roaming shores, ohio
Hi all

I just picked up a MES 30. (the black one without glass in door)   I think this thing could sure use some handles for moving around. Anybody have any suggestions or recommendations for a nice set of hinge type handles? . I assume I'll have to pop rivet them on.

Thanks
 
I got one a few weeks ago and yes it could use handles....  If you're going to pop rivet them in, you can use just about anything you want.  I would assume a trip to Homey Depot is in order.  The handles that hinge down when not being used may be the ticket.  I would also use a metal bonding agent to distribute the weight along the entire hinge instead of just the rivets.  the metal is thin on these things so it may rip without it.

Next time I am at Homey Depot, I'll look around and see what may work.

Mel

Smoke 'em when you can!
 
I agree that the metal might be a little thin to hold with just a couple pop rivets on each handle. I have the same MES and they really are insulated well it appears and hardly get warm on the outer sides. I have used 3M double back tape we great results on clean surfaces. I used it to attach a bracket on a aluminum boat seat one time, it held my depth finder. I sold the boat a few years later and had a hard time getting the bracket off.
 
I don't have a MES are they painted?  If you bond the handles with epoxy to the finish with out bearing the metal then i think the bond will only be as strong as the finish.

Stan
 
Agreed, you will need to remove the paint on the side before using a bonding agent like JBweld.   Try a wire wheel in your drill.

If you use the right bonding agent you will not even need the rivets.  My son-in-law used a bonding agent he got from where he works on the hood scoop on my 65 Mustang and it seemed to work very well even at speeds over 100.  The bonding agent is an epoxy adhesive called HiSol...???

For now my smoker is on a table on the back patio.  I am planning on using some scrap wood from a couple other projects to build a table for the MES to sit on permanently.  I am planning a shelf off to one side so I have a place for the platters and such as well as a door with hooks for tools to hang on.  I likely will not need handles to move it around.

Mel
 
Yep just sheet metal screws. I thought I got em long enough to pierce the outer layer then thru foam then barely penetrate inner layer (but came up short-forgot thickness of handle mount itself)I positioned between racks just in case I had to got back and add a bolt with a nut. No evidence of problems thus far and I cart the thing in and out to front porch all the time.
 
Yep just sheet metal screws. I thought I got em long enough to pierce the outer layer then thru foam then barely penetrate inner layer (but came up short-forgot thickness of handle mount itself)I positioned between racks just in case I had to got back and add a bolt with a nut. No evidence of problems thus far and I cart the thing in and out to front porch all the time.
OK..  Thanks for the info !
 
Thanks to all of you for the great response and good advice. I called Masterbuilt and they told me warranty would be voided if I drilled holes and attached handles. They could not tell me why.  Guess I'll wait until warranty runs out then do it.
 
 
Thanks to all of you for the great response and good advice. I called Masterbuilt and they told me warranty would be voided if I drilled holes and attached handles. They could not tell me why.  Guess I'll wait until warranty runs out then do it.
Yeah thats what I figured. Once they see holes drilled into it, yeah its over. Im thinking to use JB weld or use this unit which has wheels: http://www.ebay.com/itm/121595101730?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
 
Yeah I can't do a cart. So I came up with a solution:

1: Masterbuilt 20101114 Universal Electric Smoker Leg Extension Kit

(Ebay - $50. This thing has wheels in the back so you can roll it.) 

2: Forearm Moving Straps

 
Yep just sheet metal screws. I thought I got em long enough to pierce the outer layer then thru foam then barely penetrate inner layer (but came up short-forgot thickness of handle mount itself)I positioned between racks just in case I had to got back and add a bolt with a nut. No evidence of problems thus far and I cart the thing in and out to front porch all the time.

I know this is an old thread but I am considering attaching handles to my MES 30. Any issues (rust, bending, etc) with the handles you attached?
 
SmokingMeatForums.com is reader supported and as an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases.

Latest posts

Hot Threads

Clicky