Damaged KR 58B- restoration advice.

[HarrisonTX]

Well, I bought this top and mid box off ebay. I mainly wanted the middle box seeing as how they're incredbily hard to find. Well, I won the auction for both for less then what I've seen some two drawer middles go for.

I was beyond excited to have a matching set completed, that is, until I unboxed.

Looks like the KR58 was dropped during shipping, and suffered some damage.
It wouldnt really be a problem to bang out, except for the fact it's double walled.
From the inside of the box, there is almost no visible damage. It's all basically between the walls.

It seems like my only real option is to remove a section of the inner wall, and bump it back out.

What a tragedy.

Any tips? Any advice? I don't even know what tool I could use that would cut the side wall all the way back to the back wall, and all the way down to the bottom without getting into the back or bottom walls. I'm not planning on removing the entire lenght of the box, just maybe 3-4 inches forward from the back wall, and then right up to the back wall.

This is what it completes

.

 

[930dreamer]

Man that's to bad on the damage, can you file a claim with the shipper?

 

[4x4gearhead]

I would so just take out the drawers,cut yourself an access, and throw a wood block in there and just smack that until it was straight(er) then try to straighten it with a dolly if you have one. Thats just me. No one will know about the little door you cut unless you are planning on selling, if it were me I would have no problem cutting into it. You can always re-weld a piece over the inner wall too.

 

[mbatarga]

You might be able to get by with drilling just a few holes on the inner wall and using punches to drive the recessed damaged area back out.

 

[ZRX61]

Stud welder...easy peasy

 

[warmpancakes]

Stud welder...easy peasy

yep a good body guy could make it look simple

 

[TheDogHouse]

Stud welder...easy peasy

^^Yes.^^
A stud welder will straighten that out real quick. If this is your only use for a stud welder, a HF unit is reasonably priced, and will work well for this damage - even comes with a slide hammer (which is not very good, but will get the job done).

 

[darkk]

You should be able to hammer/dolly that small section out without too much trouble...

 

[TheDogHouse]

You should be able to hammer/dolly that small section out without too much trouble...

Yes, if there wasn't an inside panel covering the damage.

 

[Packard V8]

X2 on the stud welder. That's the only real way to go. Find a small body shop and buy them a case of beer. They can pull out the dent, scuff, bondo, prime and have it ready in no time.

jack vines

 

[HarrisonTX]

I went out and straigtened the middle box, and worked on some minor dings on the top box. I sure like bumping the metal straight again. It's a very satisfying feeling.

I still haven't done anything with that corner. Once it's done I'll powder coat this sucker. This definitely isn't something I want to attempt my self. Do I just show up at a body place and ask if they can straighten it? Kind of an oddball request I'd think.

Wonder what the labor would be? $100?

 

[Packard V8]

If it's a large insurance work shop, you wouldn't get past the front desk. What works best is go in through the back door. Find your body man first. Ask car guys. Ask your friends. Ask tow truck drivers. Find a small shop which does the stuff for people without insurance. Once you find your guy, find out what he wants to git 'er done.

jack vines

 

[Mastermind]

like packard said, look for the little shop or backyard guy. or a high school/college auto body program. thats your best bet for "off the wall" type stuff. when i worked at a little shop out in the sticks there was alot of goofy stuff we did for a case of beer. lawnmower parts welded, painted, dents knocked out of the deck, stuff like that. even did an airplane nose once. if you walk into the office and there's dust everywhere you've prob. found your place.

 

[Hammer1963]

I would advise against the studs, due to the multi-panel construction and possible ripping of the sheet metal. Instead, weld flat tabs of sheet metal , starting with 1" wide and working up to 2" in damaged locations and clamp to a slide hammer to get the bulk of the damage. By using this method, you will spread the stress and help reduce the tear thru areas on the box. Finish with a hammer and dolly and welding where needed