Freeing up a seized hinge.

[arther dailey]

I've actually just done a similar thing where the pin had rusted and expanded so much it had split the plastic handle it was in. Luckily it meant the pin came out. Had the pin re-made in stainless and 3D printed a new handle. Pictures when I find them.



BiL is a Massey fanatic. Then up the pub I'm the odd one out as I haven't got a tractor. They all go on runs. First question I was asked upon meeting an old regular (local farmer) for the first time up there "You got a tractor?"

I got some trackers but all to old for luxury like cabs

 

[Onoff]

So where is the est place for getting citric acid .
We have a ASDA that sells Elbow Grease citric acid
would that be suitable?

Looks like it would be spot on to me. The near boiling water and powder should cause the rust to fizz like this. Here being used to derust and take the zinc off of some old, slightly rusty nuts:

https://flic.kr/p/2pwMVw2

Then on some old garden tools:

https://flic.kr/p/2pQpYzZ

As aforementioned degrease your parts first with some detergent and rinse before placing in the citric solution.

 

[bricol]

I suspect the nice tight fit of the swollen rusty pin in the plastic currently preventing rotation or removal might also prevent liquid getting to it.

 

[Onoff]

I suspect the nice tight fit of the swollen rusty pin in the plastic currently preventing rotation or removal might also prevent liquid getting to it.

Worth a shot, those hinges are like £60 'ish.

 

[Mikes]

Throw them away and replace with bailer twine like a proper farmer would do.

 

[ajlelectronics]

I think as a last resort, I would be slowly heating just the pin until it will soften the plastic and allow removal. Then it can be reamed for a new pin.

 

[Seadog]

will soften

That sounds very 'Merican to me

 

[Onoff]

That sounds very 'Merican to me

Imagine if that was your name....

 

[ajlelectronics]

Imagine if that was your name....

I always felt sorry for Will on Star Trek. Every now and again, Captain Picard would order everyone to fire at him.

 

[pawsnizzy]

I always felt sorry for Will on Star Trek. Every now and again, Captain Picard would order everyone to fire at him.

Unfortunately, they never did though

 

[mgarym]

Asda were out of citric acid so i have ordered some from ebay
i'll post an update when I try it out.
Can't use bale twine as its holding my trousers up.

 

[Screwdriver]

I suspect the nice tight fit of the swollen rusty pin in the plastic currently preventing rotation or removal might also prevent liquid getting to it.

Hence it might take longer to get in there, either with acid or electrolysis but eventually it will work it's way in. After all, that's how the thing managed to rust in the first place. Heat really helps but usually the problem is when it's just too damned cold. Ambient should be fine for summer fun though it will do no harm at all to start it off nice and hot.

 

[Onoff]

Can't use bale twine as its holding my trousers up.

If you tread down the backs of old office shoes for gardening and hide behind the beans so Mum doesn't see you smoking Silk Cut, you could be my Dad!

 

[Onoff]

Follow these PDF instructions for Deox-C if using citric acid powder.

Keeping it warm helps a lot. A black plastic container left out on a hot day etc. Best results I had was keeping it at 70degC with an old element and cylinder stat:

https://flic.kr/p/2h2tjnm

https://flic.kr/p/2mhBeJj

I'll often leave a jam jar atop our oil boiler.

 

[Onoff]

Anyone know of the cheapest place to get 20 or 25kg of citric acid? I need to stock up. Prices seem to have skyrocketed.

 

[Windy Miller]

Anyone know of the cheapest place to get 20 or 25kg of citric acid? I need to stock up. Prices seem to have skyrocketed.

I've got a tub in the garage that I'll likely never use up - you can have some of that if you're desperate

 

[Onoff]

I've got a tub in the garage that I'll likely never use up - you can have some of that if you're desperate

Thanks but I use in bulk when I use it. Got a couple of steel wheels to do. Something will come up. Think I used 19kg in an old bath to do a subframe once. I've given some away too.

 

[Onoff]

This handwheel handle shaft had rusted so badly it split the plastic handle. This was red with rust and rotten, picture after it's citric bath:

Too far gone tbh so a new 3D printed handle in PETG and shaft made in stainless:

 

[mgarym]

The forum has come through again,
I soaked the hinges for a few days in citric acid
then used zzr1200 suggestion of drilling a hole in a bit of box
and pressing the pins with a vice to free them.
Both are now disassembled for cleaning and refitting,
thanks everyone.

 

[mgarym]