Got the new hinge/bands/handle for my mini

TNmike

The hinge on my mini has been broken for a couple of months but was waiting for the 'new' style hinge to be available before replacing. My dealer let me know last week that he could get the new style hinge. I told him to get it and if the new style was extra I would pay the difference. He got it in today, he has not received any invoice yet so not sure if the upgrade will be extra or not. He did tell me that if buying outright his cost would be $15 more than the original style bands and hinge. The kit not only came with the new hinge but also the new handle. Mike

Mickey

Mike that is what I am going to suggest to BGE in the morning for mine.

cookn biker

Looks good Mike! Have any problems getting that on?
That should be free if the other one busted.

TNmike

Molly, not really any problem, if you follow the instruction sheet they send with it. :laugh: I read it and then said I 'got it' and started putting it together. I did omit the clearly stated warning in the instructions that the hinge could be installed upside down. :pinch: So had to back up a step or two and do it right. Mike

Dave Shady

I can tell you that the cost on the lil guy went up $30.00 vs the old set up. I had 3 of the old minis in stock and ordered 3 new bands for them. the new is much much better than the old with the side brace. I also upgraded mine at home. The lil 10/24 studs are SMALL! and I love in the directions tells you not to use them as you wont be able to find them local. lmao

One of my guys stripped one thru the band and I had to make one to replace it.

[Deleted User]

TNMike,

Wow... a whole front and back of an 8x10 sheet!

I see the instructions call for TWO 1/16"... I have a couple of crescent wrenches.. one 7" and one 9"... do you think I can do it with those. It also says one 3/8" wrench. Can I use my socket set for any of this?

Is there any sort of spring mechanism or anything I need to watch out for?

Any Tips, Tricks, or Traps feedback would be appreciated.

WPB

Ripnem

Sockets work just fine. Crescents also will be fine.

WARNING!!!!!

Don't over tighten those little buggers that hold the hinge to the band. I pulled 2 of them through and had to fabricate new ones. Just couldn't find a match at my little local hardware store.

Dave Shady

yeah I ended up brazing a metric washer to a 10/24 allen set screw to make one..... I run a Ace Hardware and we can not get thoes lil studs like that.

THEY ARE delicate.

Ripnem

I went the other direction by cutting the majority of the head off a stainless screw with a dremmel. Really worked great.

Photo Egg

That's a great idea I hope not to use.
Darian

TNmike

WPB, no spring assist at all on the new hinge. It works great so not really any need for a spring. It was really no problem installing but as the others stated above just don't over tighten those little bolts. Mike

[Deleted User]

Thanks for the assist on my mini! All went smooth, requiring only a socket set, a crescent wrench, and a phillips head scredriver.

The felt gasket adhesive/tape apparently failed to bind to about 6 inches of the dome, but it looks like HQ will take care of me on that.

Can't wait to fire the little bugger up... it will be GREAT for small, quicky meals (like a couple of burgers ro chicken breasts)... not to mention being lump friendly!

Thanks again!