A few months ago we showed you a hot dog cart steam pan lid lock designed by HDCN reader Pat. We got such a great response that I asked Pat to show us the construction details so we can all make one for our carts.

Pat came through for us! He writes…

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Here it is! If you’re using three pans measure the width of the cart from left side to right side and cut your main bar to this length.  I used a 1 1/2″ width by 1/8″ thick, you can use any thickness you want. After you cut the width drill a hole (about a 1/4″ bit should do) for the lock to go through.  After you’re done put it aside. See drawing # 1 below.

Cross bars: Now use a 3/4″ width of aluminum by 1/8″ thick. Measure pans from say the edge facing the front of the cart to the edge facing the back of the cart. Think of it from north to south, but it should be as close as possible from the edge of the lid to the other edge. Then add about  1 1/2″ to each end, and cut that piece. If you have three lids make three crossbars.

Now measure the middle of each one and make a mark. Then to the right and left of your middle mark make another mark. Drill a hole for your fastener (either a rivet or a small screw and nut) through each mark to the left and right of the middle. Do that to all three pieces.

Now lay your main bar across the width of the cart, exactly over the middle of each pan. Take two L-Brackets and position them on the side of your cart exactly over the lock hole in the aluminum bar, mark where they are and fasten them to the side of the cart. Drill a small hole into the cart first then screw them in, (I used a 4″ screw and caught the 2″x2″ frame). On the side where the umbrella is you may be able to take your umbrella clamp off then put in over your L Bracket and screw them in together.

Now looking at it you should have the long piece of aluminum going across the cart with the L Bracket over lapping the bar on each end. My L Bracket is a 2″x2″. The side that fastens to the cart I left 2″ long, then cut the top back to 1″. It’s up to you if you want to cut it back. See photos below.

Now take your cross bars which should all have two holes drilled in them just to each side of the middle mark. Measure 1 1/2″ in from each end and make a line. Do this to all three. Then take your hack saw and on each line just saw a little little bit (just score them). Then if you have a vice put the bar into the vice just up to where you sawed, and start to bend it very slowly, you don’t want to break it. If you don’t have a vice you can use vice grip pliers.  See drawing two below.

Do the same to all of the cross bars, then lay each one under the main bar to fit them over your pan lids. Once they are all where you want them, make marks on them through each hole in the main bar. After that’s done drill your holes through the cross bars and fasten then to the main bar with either rivets or small screws with nuts.

The whole contraption is secured to the angle brackets with locks. The ones I used are the cheap $2.00 ones I bought at the dollar store.  They are easy to put on and take off and they are there mostly to keep the bar from vibrating off. I hoped this helped.

Good luck, Pat.

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There you have it folks, now go make one for your own hot dog cart. I’m certainly going to!

Please share this tip with your fellow doggers. I know there are hundreds of us all friended together on Facebook. Let’s help each other out – click the blue “Share” button on the left to post this to your Facebook.

Thanks Pat – you went above and beyond to help our community. You are awesome!!!

-Steve

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