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Thread: Fixing a bent tool drawer
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4th Nov 2019, 03:42 PM #1Most Valued Member
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Fixing a bent tool drawer
A mate loaned his ute to the plumber next door to move a small excavator trailer.
Unfortunately the tool drawer in the back wasn't latched properly and hooked on the trailer as it turned.
The drawer lost the fight.
I offered to give fixing it a bash (more likely give it a bash in the hope of fixing it!!)
Started off with some decent g-clamps etc but hardly moved it so excised the most badly damaged area and hammered the bottom back into reasonable shape.
Steve
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4th Nov 2019, 09:15 PM #2Most Valued Member
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Hi Steve, I'd replace the whole side on that drawer, as no matter how hard and long you spend on it, it'll always looked a patchup job. DAMHIKT.
KrynTo grow old is mandatory, growing up is optional.
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4th Nov 2019, 09:36 PM #3Most Valued Member
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I agree Kryn, no way to get it looking perfect, particularly when there's not even any paint to hide the repair!
It's his work ute so for now it was just a case of getting it functional.
Steve
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4th Nov 2019, 10:05 PM #4Most Valued Member
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I used the press to do the major straightening of the removed piece, then with a combination of cut/bash/tack/bash/weld/grind it all took on a bit more of a normal shape.
Ended up with a decent gap due to combined kerf widths so used a backing strip to make it easier to bridge with weld.
All done and a coat of cold gal to stop it rusting.
Steve
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4th Nov 2019, 10:06 PM #5
Easy fix.
Get $@#*&$= plumber to own his actions and replace what he butchered.
But thinking about it more he may just make it worse even if he didn’t touch it himself.
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4th Nov 2019, 10:23 PM #6Most Valued Member
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4th Nov 2019, 10:36 PM #7Most Valued Member
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I used to make drawer units for the back of 4WD's. usually the fridge was mounted on a slide down low with a metal drawer above the fridge and a table to work from.
A couple of ladies wanted a unit made up but didn't want the table. It was made to their requirements and installed, I made a comment along the lines of make sure that you lock the drawer properly.
A month later, they came back from their trip with the back window or what was left of it covered with 100MPH tape, and asked for the table to be fitted, seems that each other thought the other had secured the drawer.
KrynTo grow old is mandatory, growing up is optional.
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5th Nov 2019, 07:18 AM #8Most Valued Member
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For sure, 100% chance a rear drawer unit with a manual latch will get left unlocked at some point. IMO the latching needs to be automatic, either the slam type central latches or the ones on the drawer slide itself.
Our current home made unit in the back of the old Landrover has manual latches and we've left them undone countless times. Thankfully only about 50mm clearance to the back door so you just get a clunk on takeoff - no damage.
Steve
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5th Nov 2019, 08:01 AM #9Most Valued Member
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All the company vehicles I’ve driven with service bodies that have belly trays like that have had switches of some type on the latch that was attached to an audible alarm in the cab that also worked on the gull wings. If you don’t have an alarm it’s only a matter of time before you drive off with one of the drawers/doors open.
Nice work on the repair, hope your mate slipped you a few cold ones for it.
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5th Nov 2019, 08:59 PM #10
Hi Guys,
When I made the camper van kitchen unit, the two drawers have drop latches ! You have to deliberately lift the latch to close the draw. This means that it cannot come open unless the draw isn't closed. By the same token, you have to lift the latch to open the drawers.Best Regards:
Baron J.
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6th Nov 2019, 08:59 AM #11Senior Member
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Nice save, that.
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