Has anyone replaced the handle on their Osborne 1 ?
Mine has rusted/rotted away and for the life of me I can't see how the handle end caps can be removed.
It would appear from looking at the other side of the steel panel to which the handle is fixed that each end of the handle has three screws holding it in place but I can't get to the screw heads without removing these rusty end caps. They are in a state so will not be reused so not too worried about their destruction in the removal process. Just wondered is there is a simple ay to remove them.
Zippysticks I sent you a PM with some advice. Let me know thanks.
Zippysticks did you get my PM? was that of any help to you?
Hi - yes, just picked up the PM - thanks for the reply.
My Ssbourne 1 must be different to yours, as my handle is attached to the metal chassis that wraps around the centre unit housing the CRT.
I have seen the removable panel you refer to on other osboune 1's such as that cleaned up in the retrobrite video from 8bitguy on you tube.
Great to hear that the handle caps should just slide off though - I need to get rid of some of the rust first.
slather it on and cover in some plastic wrap much like the 8bitguys retrobrite style and give it time (dunno how long, guess a read of the label would tell you) and commence with the rest of what I mentioned. although its rusty as hell it doesn't look rotten and I think there is still plenty of good strong metal under the rust to support the weight.
Well I got the hand caps off - they do indeed slide outwards when some of the rust is removed.
Problem now is that the handle ends are actually riveted to the chassis - looks like I'll need to drill them out.
yep they are viveted on. Can you send pictures of the whole unit that it is riveted to so we can see how its connected? I would like to see how your osbornes handle connection differs from mine. Thanks!
The rivets look like standard aluminum blind "pop" rivets. Easy to drill out and can be replaced either with another set of rivets or screws, lock-washers and nuts.
So in the photo is it connected to all that bracketry behind it or are you just resting it on them for the photo. Chuck(G) is right . rivots would look better after you put them in and grind them flush.
So the chrome cover caps, hard to take off? Any damage? Will you be able to secure again,?
yes, it the metal plate (which is an L shape is connected (plastic plugs/rivets) to the main plastic chassis.
I think i'd prefer to use short nots and bolts countersunk through the handle, after I have cleaned and resprayed the metal plate.
The chrome cover caps while intact won't be reused, they are too rusty. I'll be picking a new strap and brackets.
if you arent going to reuse the caps do you think I can get them off of you? Im sure with some time and effort I can possibly grindem' down and paintem'.
Rivets do have one advantage in this case--they don't come unscrewed. :) And it looks as if the plain old big-box store pop rivets would be a very close match to the original.