Follow up to the follow up. My wife and I drove about 2 hours after work Wednesday night imto pick up this Big Joe 2 off market place for $500. I totally disassembled it in their driveway and loaded it home in the back of my truck. The firebox base was broken in half and the hinge wasn't quite right, so last night I got to work putting her back together. After being recommended by somebody on this subreddit, I purchased some Rutland fireplace morter to repair the firebox base. Some good ole prying and hammering got the hinge back together too. My wife and I then tackled the job of putting the hinge and bands back on and then I noticed the latch nuts were loose. I tightened them up and then the lid wouldn't open, so I had to shim the lower latch out with a washer under each side. Tonight I'm going to assemble the firebox and fire it up for the first time. My upgraded charcoal basket is due to arrive Monday along with a stainless dog bowl that I'm going to attempt to convert into an el cheapo Kick Ash Can.
by therealmanbat