Jump to content
Model Cars Magazine Forum

How To Repair Broken Door Hinge Pins on Great Dane Trailer


Recommended Posts

Hi Guys,

I started and completed an Ertl 40' Great Dane Dry Van a while back.

Then I had brain surgery and put it down for a while.

I'm now working on the Ertl International TranStar 4300 Eagle. Will keep you guys posted on progress.

Meantime, the door hinge pins on a couple of the trailer doors have broke :( You know, those microscopic little plastic nubs that stick out of the top and bottom of each door on the trailer...

I've got a couple ideas on repair techniques (thinking of using some type of thin but rigid wire and glue in place) but wanted to grab some ideas from the pros as I'm very new to model building in general.

Any suggestions are appreciated! Thanks in advance guys.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yes on the wire. Make it the same diameter as the receiving hole in the roof & floor

Drill into the door at the location deep enough for it to stay

Or do it carefully and on the backside, scribe a shallow groove for it to

run top to bottom, full length.

Epoxy/super glue it in place then fill the rest of the groove with strip styrene or putty

Edited by Edsel-Dan
Link to comment
Share on other sites

10-4 on that Dan. I'll have to scrounge around a bit to find the proper gauge and rigid style wire (maybe piano wire would be good) but I'll probably find something that works. I'm thinking the full length groove option sounds good.

Thanks for the reply! Excited to get it all together (including tractor, where I'm only on the engine so far) so I can post pics of my first project... And already itching to start the next one! Guessing that means I have the "bug"! :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

tbill: I don't have to ask you about the bug... Trust me, I've seen your posts, and your work! :)

doogie:now that's an excellent idea! I've been bumming around the house looking for appropriate size vs strength wire. The pin idea is brilliant.

I'm going to buy a whole new shirt so I can get a few of those! (True story! Fortunately I like dress shirts and won't mind picking a new one up to kill 2 birds w/one stone haha!) Seriously... Very clever idea.

So guys... Back to the "bug" topic; Summer (my wife) and I are currently in Niagara Falls, Canada for our anniversary. About a 2hr drive we make regularly from Cleveland. Anyways, she typically prefers to drive. So as we're leaving I'm looking at my model and tools, etc. wondering if I can pack a few things to work on while on the road... Cut parts from the tree, sand things down, glue what I can...

Then I realized that's probably a little obsessive and I'd do well to leave it all @ the house and wrench on it when I get back.

Diagnosis? Have I got the bug a bit? Haha.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...