Question Fixing guitar Case lock? Is it possible to replace it?

[ZeroFivefour]

The case has been fixed by installing a new drawbolt.

I've attached a quick tutorial with some notes in an entry below in this thread:

Cheers,

Tom





My Luke case lock is not functioning any longer. When the key is turned it just spins either way and doesn't engage the mechanism.

I was wondering if it is possible to get a replacement lock. One that I could rivet onto the case in place of the existing one?
I have a 3 year old son that likes to go into it if I don't lock it. Can't say I blame him either as he knows it's part of his inheritance.

Any info is appreciated.

Thanks much,

Tom

 

[ZeroFivefour]

Ok,

I have found the solution:

The lock is actually called a "locking drawbolt". It can be obtained at various vendors online, maybe in your hardware store or luggage repair shop.

I have located the name of the part and can now fix the case with a rivet gun and a new "locking drawbolt"

For any one else who may encounter this scenario. The locking drawbolt is very inexpensive, and all you need is a rivet gun, rivets, a drill to drill out the old rivets on your case. Then install the new lock with your rivet gun. I should have mine fixed soon. I'll post some picks of the repair for reference.


Cheers,

Tom

 

[DrKev]

Good to know. Thanks, Tom!

 

[ZeroFivefour]

Good to know. Thanks, Tom!

My pleasure. I'm glad to help anyone that may find themselves needing to repair a 100.00 plus case for less than 5 bucks.

Below is the actual item #s and description which will take you to various vendors. I am seeing prices from $3.00 for the latch/lock with key drawbolt, and $2.25 for latch only (no lock/key).

It has the key and proper dimensions. Looks like a direct 'drop in' bolt on.

This should fit the Luke and Axis SKB molded cases as well as my molded case for my Ibanez 540 s. After inspection it looks like they all use the same drawbolt design.

RH-2600 Trunk Drawbolt (locking with Key)
RH-2610 Trunk Drawbolt (latch only)


Cheers,

Tom

 

[Spudmurphy]

I love threads like this - I'm interested to see if it's the same as the original.
Cheers
Spud

 

[threeminutesboy]

I love that as well thanks for sharing, looking ofrward for the pictures

 

[tommydude]

Tom, thank you for this thread!

 

[ZeroFivefour]

Hopefully it will be the same exact drawbolt as is on the case. It looks identical from the pictures and description. I'll keep you guys posted as I ordered the part and am awaiting delivery. Might be a week or so due to my location. I'll post in this thread as soon as I get things going.

Cheers,

Tom

 

[ZeroFivefour]

Well guys I got it done. Here are some pics and some notes:
Hope you enjoy.

Cheers,

Tom



Tools needed:
Linemans Pliers, Rivet Gun, Rivets, Wire Snips, Safety goggles.


Initially I thought I was going to drill out the rivets,. Let me tell you that is NOT going to happen with a hand drill from the front. You can't drill them out from the rear of the rivet, (my initial strategy), as the case padding is NOT coming out unless you want to destroy the innards, and well, that just defeats the whole point. So I chose another course of action:

Just demo the old drawbolt and snip the old rivets with a linemans plier snip edge. Wear your saftey goggles as the rivets can zap right into your face. Seriously, you have been warned.

Pics of the tools used below: (I ended up not using the drill).

Linemans pliers, Rivet Gun, etc...

New Drawbolt, with descrition and Item number RH 2600

Comparison of old and NEW drawbolt, It is almost a direct bolt on, it's about as close to exact without actually being exact. It worked just fine and mounts to the case's original top portion nearly perfectly,(I only replaced the locking mechanism portion of the drawbolt:

Get down to business/Removing old Drawbolt:

Just demo the old drawbolt and snip the old rivets with a linemans plier snip edge. Wear your saftey goggles as the rivets can zap right into your face. Seriously, you have been warned.

Be cautious while demolishing the drawbolt. Do NOT pull upward on the rivets, as the guitar case and/or draw bolt hole pattern for the rivets will crack rendering the project a complete loss. Simply remove the locking mechanism with a pliers carefully, then snip away at the edges of the remaining mount and pull sideways away from the rivets with care. Then cut any remaining metal off. It can get a bit sharp so be carefull. Then proceed to next step.

Time to cut off some rivets:

Grab the linemanes pliers and using the cutting tool, slip it under the head of the rivet and WHILE WEARING SAFTEY GOGGLES, cut those rivets off. Do NOT pull up on rivets or you may destroy your case. Just cut the heads off.

One more rivet to go:

All Rivets have been snipped off with Linemans pliers using the cutting tool:

Pic of rivet from the back.

After you snip away at the rivet, make sure to remove the remaining portion or it will be rattling around your case forever and may scratch your precious guitar.

Installing new Drawbolt:

Line up draw bolt to hole pattern on case:

Place rivets into holes and secure with rivet gun. I secured the top rivet first, in hindsight however I think I should have secured the 2 side rivets first to keep the distance of the drawbolt from the edge of the case more precise to original spec, as mine is just a tiny bit too high up, it works just fine, but it is a tiny bit off. YMMV. My case shuts, latches and locks just fine.

Rivets are installed:

Install complete:

Gratuituous shots of my baby... Luke 1 Sledge Reissue:

More gratuitous shots of my baby!

And yet one more pic... The third times the charm!

Case closed, latched, locked and my guitar is secure:

 

[beej]

Very cool that you documented that. Great fix.

 

[Spudmurphy]

Nice sequence of photos - great stuff!!

 

[Spudmurphy]

FWIW if anybody is interested - this is a fix I made to the webbing inside the case. I thought it would "sit" nice here with this thread should anybody be searchibg on "case fixes"?

http://forums.ernieball.com/music-man-guitars/38045-repair-my-c-g-guitar-case.html

 

[ZeroFivefour]

Very cool that you documented that. Great fix.

Nice sequence of photos - great stuff!!

Thanks guys.

FWIW if anybody is interested - this is a fix I made to the webbing inside the case. I thought it would "sit" nice here with this thread should anybody be searchibg on "case fixes"?

http://forums.ernieball.com/music-man-guitars/38045-repair-my-c-g-guitar-case.html

Good call Spud!

Cheers,

Tom