KenHupp20 Posted February 17, 2011 Share Posted February 17, 2011 Lots of snow & cold here lately, have been tinkering on a set of head lamps.They had been partially taken apart when I got them. The biggest problem was a hole in the back of one. It would be nice to replace that part,but not in my budget , so I decided to attempt a repair that might be acceptable. In place it isn't too noticeable.I did not use the screw shown in the photo,but cut & beveled a piece of sheet stock. I left it a bit high, filed & sanded to flush, then polished it out.Can anyone tell me what make these are ? Also would the chimney and the door hardware have been attached with machine screws or riveted ? Thinking I would make up some machine screws to look like rivet heads if I need to .To clean them ( 30 or so years of tarnish) I soaked them overnight in a solution of water ,vinegar and a dash of ammonia ,rinsed well the next morning ,and they polished up pretty nice .Have not yet installed reflectors.Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Friartuck Posted February 17, 2011 Share Posted February 17, 2011 The repair looks good.Restoration Supply Company sells brass threaded Rivets, also called unslotted screws. Easier to buy a few at $0.50 than time on the lathe:RSCChris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KenHupp20 Posted February 18, 2011 Author Share Posted February 18, 2011 Thanks Chris, I think I'll get some . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest george morgan Posted February 18, 2011 Share Posted February 18, 2011 how much do you want for them,and if you find out the make and model let me know, i have a 1919 truck and they look like the factory pic of what i need.thanks ,.george Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KenHupp20 Posted February 19, 2011 Author Share Posted February 19, 2011 Thanks for the offer George, but I think I'm going to keep them.Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
W_Higgins Posted February 19, 2011 Share Posted February 19, 2011 That's pretty trick. I like seeing old brass being saved. It seems like so much of what's out there now is new. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KenHupp20 Posted February 19, 2011 Author Share Posted February 19, 2011 Thank you Walter. I agree on the new stuff. I was also thinking this would have been how someone would have repaired the hole back then.Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KenHupp20 Posted February 23, 2011 Author Share Posted February 23, 2011 Still cold here . Zero this a.m. A good time to work on the brass . I wouldn't call this a restoration ,but this tail lamp was in poor condition. It needed a new cover for the mounting block,and was dented in top & bottom. A few good dents in the bottom of the font. I was able to get the cover from Allen ,thanks to this forum. Worked out what I could of the dents,and got it soldered back together . Not perfect, but looks O.K. Still need door with red lens.Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KenHupp20 Posted March 11, 2011 Author Share Posted March 11, 2011 RSC did not have the threaded rivets in a number 6 .Decided to make my own. The switch had broken on my little old jewler's lathe and I knew it would be slow, so I got an idea.First I drilled several holes in a firebrick to hold a few screws at one time, filled the slots in the screw heads with silver solder. Next I chucked each one up in a cordless drill and shaped them on my 1" belt sander, then right to the polishing wheel.It worked out slick, the lamps look much better I think.The silver solder is hard to detect even under a glass.Now just a little more hand polishing , and a little more ,and ............on & on.Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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