Piano Hinge Pin removal on old snap on topbox,toolbox

[rothko]

Hi All

In my post under the heading of 'restoring old tool chests/boxes' I have photos of a restoration project I hope to be starting very soon.This involves taking out the long hinge pin and replacing the pin again on completion of the repairs required to the front steel cover.

Has anyone any experience of doing this,or knows how to do it ?
Be great to hear from you.

Regards

Rothko.

 

[jabberwoki]

Brave man!

 

[Zeke]

I have and it's really not meant to do. But getting the original out may take some effort. They can be pinched or staked at the ends. So you might have to drill some. You might have to substitute a slightly smaller rod to reinsert. Not the end of the world.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

I've never done that on any of the Snappy boxes I've restored. Would make the restoration easier, but I didn't want to take the chance I'd screw something up.

 

[mds47588]

Possible to tap one end of the rod out a few inches and then secure tightly in your favorite drill and then pull the trigger and back the rod out.

With a previous employer I had to remove piano hinges on airplane steps several times a week and this always worked flawlessly.

Once finished, then do the same thing and...where's the pictures???

 

[zkling]

I've done it. Only other option was to cut the spot welds and weld in a new hinge. I could just see many hours of frustration trying to get a new hinge lined up for welding, so I decided to pull the pin. I would not do it unless you absolutely have to. In my experience reinstalling it was MUCH harder then removing it. Anyone know how they did this at the factory? Safe to assume they welded the hing on as a complete unit? I actually knida wish the older boxes had riveted hinges like the newer ones compared to the spot welds. Sooo much easier to fix.

 

[rothko]

Hi all

Thanks for the advice.Helpful.

MDS 475BB,Hi. The pictures are under the heading
'restoring old tool chests/boxes '

Rothko

 

[2oolhound]

I have a shop that's 8' wide so I removed the lids on all my rollers (3), I can stack the boxes 2" closer to the wall this way. I've also taken the piano hinge pins out of halburton aluminum camera cases before too. Just use a pin punch till you can get started and pull the other end with pliers. Use some wd40 or other penetrating fluid on them and they go pretty smooth. If you get tight spots try opening and closing the lid when you're pulling. You can also tap the pliers you're using to pull with. Should not be a problem. I did it to my Kennedy box too (pg 48 or 50 of the tool boxes of GJ thread) and getting it back in was easy, just slide the rod in as far as you can then grab it near the hinge and tap on the pliers. Keep working it an inch at a time if you have to but it should go in pretty easy.

 

[rothko]

Thanks !


Regards

Rothko