Gravel Hopper Sign Repair

[suprb6970]

I have seen countless hoppers with broken signs. Most of these are in my opinion are caused by Tyco not drilling the holes in the top of the hopper big enough. So here is my fix.
Products needed 3/32 drill bit and Gel super glue
Step 1. Push broken pins back out.
Step 2. Scrape or trim the bottom of the sign smooth so no broken pins are sticking out.
Step 3. Take a 3/32 drill bit and slowly by hand make a small hole where the pins once were.
Step 4. Test fit the broken pin in the hole you created. And then glue in. I use the Gel super glue because it gives you some work time before drying.
Step 5. Drill out the holes in the top of the hopper. With the same drill bit, and test fit the sign. This might take a couple of times. Don't force it! Sign should slide in with no effort. Or it will break again.

I hope this helps someone out.
Thanks SuprB6970

 

[AMH1955]

Nice fix. I'm going to mount the sign with springs on mine, just touch it reaching across the track and it breaks off, clumsy is my middle name.. E6000 will stick it down and it will remain flexible and bend when you bonk it, works great on that bulldozer driver head that breaks off if you breathe on it too hard. I'm going to do springs to the address sign on the top of my mailbox that the snowplow snow tsunami wave breaks off every winter too, the township will replace damaged posts and mailboxes for free , out of luck with the sign.

 

[raschildhouse]

Thanks for the post. This is pretty much the same solution I am going to use on my crate unloading station with one pin broken. I have plastic rods from scratch building scenery. One comment, the receiving hole needs to be just that little bit larger than the rod so the glue is not pushed out. The female, as you note, should be just that little bit larger than then the rod too for easy removal. I am forced to take my layout down.
Thanks,
Rex

 

[biddle]

They have a few of these NIB at SCC- https://ebay.us/cMzO0I