I'm Stumped

[jnesmith]

I promised my 3 year old daughter that I would fix her little bug cage. The cheap little pivot door broke off. I thought I would knock it out in a matter of minutes. I planned to add a round door that would pivot on some sort of pin. The original door rotated on a rivot thet is now gone.

I've got the new door roughed out from some 1/8" BB ply, but can't think of an easy way to attach it. It needs to fit tightly against the case and pivot easily. I'm worried that a screw alone would eventually come lose, particularly if she spins the door round and round.



The cage only cost a few bucks, so it's not worth hours of effort.

Any suggestions on a quick and simple solution?

Thanks

[LCHIEN]

Looks like the body is platic or foam. I see the hole where the pivot was.
Use a Flat head machine screw, like #6 or #8. Drill and countersink the new top to fit the screw.
Use two #6 or #8 machine nuts on the inside of the bug box.
Run one nut up snuggish so the door pivots but with some friction aainst the plastic housing. Then run the second nut up against the first to lock it in place and tension.

[jnesmith]

Thanks Loring. The body is thin wood.

I was thinking about jaming 2 nuts together in the manner you describe, but was envisioning the nuts on the outside. My daugher's critical eye wouldn't go for that! I Might not be able to sufficiently tighten the nuts on the inside. All I can really do is stick 1 finger in there.

I kept coming back to using a piece of brass rod. Epoxy one end into the box, and have the door pivot on that. I couldn't think of a way to keep the door on the rod though.

I realize this little project isn't worth the time I've already invested, but then again, I made a promise.

Thanks again.

[LJR]

Epoxy a small dowel into the body of the cage. Drill a hole in the lid that would turn on the dowel. Then at the appropriate distance drill a hole through the diameter of the dowel and insert a pin to keep the lid from coming back off.

Might be a good place to use a small magnetic catch if you had sn old one laying around you could "modify".

[LCHIEN]

Thanks Loring. The body is thin wood.

...

I realize this little project isn't worth the time I've already invested, but then again, I made a promise.

Thanks again.

It's not about the time or money. It's about the promises a dad makes to a 3- year old and that she thinks the world of him when he fixes the things in life that are most important to her. May you always be able to fix things for her so easily. Best do it now while you can. (From the father of a 24-y.o. daughter and a 20-y.o. son.)


B.T.W. a simple hinge and a little velcro latch can go a long way to making a 3-y.o. happy. Wouldn't want to lose a prize catch! (staple or glue the tiniest piece of hook material to the edge of the door, use a strip of loop material attached to the top to mate with the loops when the door is closed. For the pivot, if you can 't put a double nut then a nylon insert lock nut held with a pair of bent nose pliers is how i would do it.

[Whit]

Bug cage

I agree with Loring. You have to keep your little angel happy. It is well worth the time it takes.
Whit

[Wood_workur]

Epoxy a screw in the hole, and then bolt it to the top with a cap nut.

[Thom2]

Just have my daughter teach her how to catch bugs.

step on them first THEN put them in the box, no door required


seriously now,

find yourself a wood screw with a smooth shank the thickness of the door. Drill and countersink the door, then use the screw to start the hole in the box. Remove the screw and cut or grind the end off so it doesn't protrude into the interior of the box. I personally think this would be all it takes, but if you're bent on overengineering and making sure the screw can't come out, put a dab of epoxy in the hole before you run the screw in to secure the door. You may want to put waxpaper on the inside of the door when you attach it tho', that way it doesn't get epoxied to the box by accident.

[gsmittle]

What about using a length of brass tube instead of brass rod? Epoxy it to the cage, then use a small punch to expand the end so the door can't come off.

g.

[jAngiel]

Why not just use a pop rivit, they come in many lenths. A little washer on the back, one in between the housing and the door and one on the door. A couple of minutes and your done.

[drumpriest]

James!!!! I was reading this and thinking that I'd be the first to think of a pop rivot!!! haha.

I agree with James, a pop rivot woud do the trick.

[meika123]

My recommendation is: take a small brass rod, put it in a vise and peen and flare the end. Place the pin through a hole from the inside, with the peened edge inside, then insert the other end into the back side of the door, after putting a "blob" of epoxy in the hole.

JMO-yours may vary.

Dave in NC

[jnesmith]

Lot's of great suggestions. All would have worked. I went with Thom's recommendation. It's good enough for sure.

"find yourself a wood screw with a smooth shank the thickness of the door. Drill and countersink the door, then use the screw to start the hole in the box. Remove the screw and cut or grind the end off so it doesn't protrude into the interior of the box."

Thanks again everyone.

[Stick]

I would've used Loring's idea but with a nylock nut on the inside rather than the double nut trick. But then I have that kind of stuff lying around anyway.