Hard case hardware repair suggestions?

[Jimbilly]

I've got an '80s Ibanez hard case with 2 broken latches, the spring-up kind and the center 'buckle' type.  The good latch says "Cheney" England, which is not what I would have expected.  Tips for parts sources and repair?  If I can find similar parts, I might be able to bend/crimp in what's missing. 

 

[RobB]

I’ve found case hardware on eBay. You have to thoroughly measure the parts before ordering. Most shoe/leather repair shops also do luggage repair. My local guy has fixed two or three cases for me. Often they can find the parts or have reasonable facsimiles. For instance, guitar case latches are basically the same ones that are used on many briefcases. 

[Hbom]

I don't see much on their site this morning, but these guys have helped me in the past. Good link to have.

C: Case Restoration Parts -Latches, Handles, Hinges, Rivets (ecrater.com)

 

Another but mostly new parts and may not match on an older case.

Handles, Latches, Hinges - Guitar and Amp Parts

[crunchee]

Never mind, I think Hbom just answered my question below.

[Hbom]

Latch repair kit nickel - Guitar and Amp Parts

 

[Jimbilly]

any tricks or tips for removing and replacing the rivets? 

[DaveL]

 

 

 

 

This one,     it looks like you might be able to remove the pin at the hinge with Pliers etc...  

swap it out with another good part,  and then you might be able to crimp a new pin with pliers

or tapping it with a hammer      That might be an easier path than removing the whole part...

 

or,  maybe just replacing the part that popped out...  and then bend the tabs back      

  

 

edit:  looks like the old cheney latches ones don't match the new ones...  

 

[Hbom]

1 hour ago, Jimbilly said:

any tricks or tips for removing and replacing the rivets? 

My experience seemed reminiscent of a story about a monkey and a football.

I think you will be better off if you search youtube and find something that you like. 

[hamerhead]

On some of the resto vids on Youtube they show a C-clamp-looking tool that's used to re-install the rivets. A small drill bit or Dremel with a burr bit should get them out.

[Hbom]

I centerpunched and drilled out the rivets using progressively larger bits until they fell apart. 

I backed the new rivets with a .5" bar of square stock with a C clamp on each end and a bit of leather in between to keep from marring the parts.

Then the monkey showed up.

I made 2 anvils out of round bar stock. They fit on the inside of the case end of a 3rd C clamp.

The 1st was made to split the legs of the rivet. Number 2 was supposed to roll the legs up and smash them into place.

Didn't work as intended. Spent a couple of days to arrive back at square one where I used new rivets and spread them with a blade and hammered them flat. 

It worked ok and last I saw the case all hardware was still in place. 

 

Jimbilly If I were to do it again, I think I would source the necessary bits and look for a luggage repair shop in my area to install them. I found out after the fact that a guy here in town is equipped with the proper tools and could/would have done a better job than I had at a very reasonable cost. 

[django49]

When in L.A. I had repairs done by a luggage shop next door to the Sunset Grille and Guitar Center on Sunset Blvd. Done expertly and not expensive.

For a DIY repair, something like this might save a lot of time and frustration.....

https://www.walmart.com/ip/HyperTough-9-5-inch-Rivet-Tool-with-40-Assorted-Rivets-TN12556J/812577370?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0