How to fix this Snap-On top hinge?

[Gigem]

I got this Snap-On KRL751PLH top box (and KRL756APLH bottom box) for basically nothing, but they are both a little rough. I believe they were stored in somewhere damp for a while, as there is some rust issues. A lot of the chrome is peeling.

Biggest thing I want to fix is the hinge for the top. See picture. The piano hinge is no longer attached to the top. It looks like it was welded to the top and screwed to the bottom. Or perhaps welded to both, and the previous owner added the screws to try and salvage it?

Is the proper repair to remove this hinge and re-weld it (or a replacement) to the top?

Also... I have the two struts that hold the top open. There is a bracket on the top and a bracket on the tray floor, for these struts to attach to. I have two other loose brackets? Any idea where they go? Anyone got a picture of these that I could see?

Worst case scenario, I'd like to at least have the top permanently open. I kind of like to look at the Harley logo, and this is in my garage at home so I am the only one in there. I'd like to keep some stuff in that top area...

Sorry no better pictures of the top open temporarily. It is damn heavy and I am solo.

Thanks.

 

[Dumber than lumber]

Hard to see how fudged up the hinge is. I would try to get a stainless steel piano (i.e., continuous) hinge. Maybe use some VHB tape to hold it in position, but rivet it to replace the other one.
Almost wonder if that current hinge is the original.

 

[alcorelli]

I question the originality of that hinge. But I am not familiar with that particular model box. If the hinge is able to be straightened out I would clamp it and rivet it with steel rivets. Stainless if possible. If the hinge is not repairable or serviceable, I would do as stated previously and put a stainless steel piano hinge in there. I would buff it shiny first. That's a very nice box you have there.

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[Gigem]

I got the top off the box today. I believe the hinge to be original, just badly rusted. The previous owner was a "cat guy", and I am wondering if cat piss is what did this in.

I got the hinge off the top, and will find a replacement for it and likely will rivet it to the top.

Two remaining questions...

1. There were two loose pieces that look like reinforcements for the strut attachment points. I assume these go on the top attachment points, not the attachment points in the box side of the strut. Correct?

2. What is this other piece for? See picture below...

 

[Jeff Ivers]

Your second picture is an air die grinder wrench. Not related to the box.

 

[Gigem]

Your second picture is an air die grinder wrench. Not related to the box.

Thank you! You are correct!

I couldn't figure out what the heck it was. It seems to be painted a very similar black to the rest of the box...

 

[Gigem]

Your second picture is an air die grinder wrench. Not related to the box.

Thank you! You are correct!

I couldn't figure out what the heck it was. It seems to be painted a very similar black to the rest of the box...

 

[Gigem]

I emailed Snap On to see if I could buy a replacement hinge from them.

They said no.

Off to Home Depot I guess....

+++

Hi Fritz,

I am sorry the hinge on this bow was welded on and is not available to order. Please let us know if there is anything else we can help you with.


Thank you,
Jackie

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[BolognaBlake]

Honestly, I would probably just hose the hinge down with PB Blaster, let it sit for a day. Then run it through the ol' cheek-poker to clean it up, then give it a Krylon rebuild and rivet it back in place.

That is if you can get it moving nicely with something like PB Blaster.

 

[Gigem]

Honestly, I would probably just hose the hinge down with PB Blaster, let it sit for a day. Then run it through the ol' cheek-poker to clean it up, then give it a Krylon rebuild and rivet it back in place.



That is if you can get it moving nicely with something like PB Blaster.

Too far gone, and bent from the weight of the lid once the welds failed.

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[welder57]

Check Ebay, they may the size you need except for the length-longer you could cut it off and tack weld the end.

 

[bob15]

McMaster Carrr is your friend: https://www.mcmaster.com/piano-hinges/

 

[Gigem]

McMaster Carrr is your friend: https://www.mcmaster.com/piano-hinges/

Wow no kidding! Thanks!

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[nadogail]

McMaster Carr has made me appear to be competent even when I had doubts about myself.
Thier catalogue has saved many a Maintenance Tech.

 

[alcorelli]

McMaster Carr has made me appear to be competent even when I had doubts about myself.
Thier catalogue has saved many a Maintenance Tech.

That right there is the truth.

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[rlitman]

When the plastic hinges on my cooler failed, I replaced it with a stainless piano hinge from Amazon. Looks like the price has dropped a buck in the last 7 years:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005J0JGE2/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Anyway, I'd forget that rusty mess and buy a stainless hinge. Not necessarily the one above, just the right one that fits.

Then drill the box and pop rivet where every screw hole is. That way you don't end up screwing up the box's paint with welding.

 

[Gigem]

When the plastic hinges on my cooler failed, I replaced it with a stainless piano hinge from Amazon. Looks like the price has dropped a buck in the last 7 years:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005J0JGE2/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Anyway, I'd forget that rusty mess and buy a stainless hinge. Not necessarily the one above, just the right one that fits.

Then drill the box and pop rivet where every screw hole is. That way you don't end up screwing up the box's paint with welding.

You read my mind. Exactly my plan.

 

[Gigem]

Worked on this box today. Not perfect, but neither is the rest of the box. Good enough for government work, as my old man used to say.

The alignment is damn near perfect.

Of course the struts are shot...

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[alcorelli]

Nice!

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[Daniel Dudley]

That is a great box. Well done!

 

[Gigem]

Final piece of the puzzle showed up today. I ordered new gas springs to replace the originals that were blown out.

Thanks to Garage Journal, I bought Lift Supports Depot branded units from Amazon, $39.90 for the pair., free shipping If I had ordered them from Snap On, they would have cost $53.75. Each. And God knows how much for shipping. And they are identical...

Box is done, back to work. Need to do some re-organizing. As always....

 

[hippie2cams]

The picture of the part that you are holding in your hand is not part of the tool box, but is a tool to change grinding rocks on a small air grinder. Used to have to use them daily when I was still welding a lot.

 

[Vahispd]

Nicely done. The stainless hinge goes with the drawer fronts and doesn't look out of place.

 

[rburke65]

Have to wonder why that inside hinge would rust like that on a SO box.

 

[Gigem]

Have to wonder why that inside hinge would rust like that on a SO box.

I am convinced that it was cat piss