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Thread: Spring hinge--busted!

  1. #1
    What's up? drk's Avatar
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    Spring hinge--busted!

    We've all seen these. You know, the metal in the box breaks off, and the temple comes off with only a nubbin left.

    What are any temporary fixes?

    I've even tried pushing in that smelly putty that turns into metal (didn't work).

    I usually use fabric tape for the ultimate nerd effect.

  2. #2
    OptiBoard Professional OptiBoard Silver Supporter
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    if a metal you can weld it, if not you could drill the nub and pin it, just don't let the customer be a "one hander" any more. Easy for us cause we're a lab. You may be S O L...

  3. #3
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    I solder them quite often. Sometimes using a staking press you can "pinch" the box enough, that it will grab the nubbin, and hold very temporarily. Shrink tubing with a little metal for support can be used also.

  4. #4
    Master OptiBoarder OptiBoard Silver Supporter ak47's Avatar
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    Its a bird...its a plane...its SUPER GLUE !!

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    JB Weld. Careful filing down of any part of the hinge that would stop it from opening or closing since there will no longer be a spring action to the hinge, just as you would do if you were soldering it.

  6. #6
    Master OptiBoarder OptiBoard Silver Supporter lensmanmd's Avatar
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    Why bother? If it’s under warranty, replace it. If it’s not, sell a new frame. Why spend the time on non-revenue building projects?

  7. #7
    Master OptiBoarder OptiBoard Gold Supporter
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    Quote Originally Posted by lensmanmd View Post
    Why bother? If it’s under warranty, replace it. If it’s not, sell a new frame. Why spend the time on non-revenue building projects?
    Very good point. I usually only do this in an emergency, and usually to make do until a new pair is fabricated.

  8. #8
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    Try this:

    https://www.amconlabs.com/product/58...Tool-by-Amcon/


    Place the inside portion of the spring hinge (reassembled to frame) on the lower part of the press 2-3mm in to catch the nubbin. Carefully bring your upper punch down to make a shallow divet, on or around nubbin, making sure not to pierce the metal. You may need to make a couple of divets on both sides of the spring hinge barrel; just flip the frame. It's awkward at first, so run some trials on some samples.

    There you go...a cheap, temporary fix that takes 10 seconds. Gets the patient back on the road (stress:temporary) and gives you time to order a suitable replacement.

    Nubbin...

  9. #9
    One eye sees, the other feels OptiBoard Silver Supporter
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    Quote Originally Posted by lensmanmd View Post
    Why bother? If it’s under warranty, replace it. If it’s not, sell a new frame. Why spend the time on non-revenue building projects?
    That's what I do.

    RM
    Science is a way of trying not to fool yourself. - Richard P. Feynman

    Experience is the hardest teacher. She gives the test before the lesson.



  10. #10
    Ghost in the OptiMachine Quince's Avatar
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    Shrink tube! My fave temporary fix for this situation if I don't have a spare junk temple.

    Spending time on a simple repair, that won't cost you anything, can turn a person in need into a customer for life.
    Have I told you today how much I hate poly?

  11. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by lensmanmd View Post
    Why bother? If it’s under warranty, replace it. If it’s not, sell a new frame. Why spend the time on non-revenue building projects?
    Current ustomer retention is revenue-building.
    New customer acquisition is revenue-building.
    Charging for services outside of the warranty and/or other guarantee windows is revenue-building.
    Charging for work for outside clients is revenue-building.

    And that's before we even start talking about the patients!

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    I'll do a quick repair with Superglue. I find a fresh tube will hold indefinitely, though I tell the customer to count on a week or two at most. Then, I bend the temple in pretty dramatically, so it will still sit straight on their face. Then, I sell them a new pair.

  13. #13
    Master OptiBoarder AngeHamm's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by gaspoweredrobot View Post
    Current ustomer retention is revenue-building.
    New customer acquisition is revenue-building.
    Charging for services outside of the warranty and/or other guarantee windows is revenue-building.
    Charging for work for outside clients is revenue-building.

    And that's before we even start talking about the patients!
    +1
    I'm Andrew Hamm and I approve this message.

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    Master OptiBoarder OptiBoard Silver Supporter
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    Quote Originally Posted by AngeHamm View Post
    +1
    +2

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    yes shrink tube is the best if possible as a short term fix.

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    Master OptiBoarder OptiBoard Silver Supporter
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    Quote Originally Posted by Glenn Fluegge View Post
    ... you could drill the nub and pin it...
    That's what I do.

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    OptiBoard Professional Caroline's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Quince View Post
    Shrink tube! My fave temporary fix for this situation if I don't have a spare junk temple.

    Spending time on a simple repair, that won't cost you anything, can turn a person in need into a customer for life.
    I wrap a piece of scotch tape around the area to hold it secure while the shrink wrap shrinks.
    Caroline, L.O.

    If you suffer from severe nonlinear waterfowl issues, you don't have your ducks in a row.

  18. #18
    Ghost in the OptiMachine Quince's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Caroline View Post
    I wrap a piece of scotch tape around the area to hold it secure while the shrink wrap shrinks.
    I've also used electrical tape in this scenario either for its flexibility and thickness.

    Here's an extra hack- you know the stick-on nose pads that come on the little squares? Save the squares and you can trim the left behind sticky outline to fit the outer side of a temple hinge on a temple that bends out too far (usually when the spring hinge is not quite broken but going to be very soon- or when an accent piece falls off the edge of the temple that meets the frame front [or you can drill a tiny hole here and screw in a nose pad screw for the same effect.])
    Have I told you today how much I hate poly?

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    Quote Originally Posted by CME4SPECS View Post
    I solder them quite often. Sometimes using a staking press you can "pinch" the box enough, that it will grab the nubbin, and hold very temporarily. Shrink tubing with a little metal for support can be used also.
    Can you please recommend where we can order soldering tools? We have been outsourcing to Hilco, and its getting so expensive. The shipping, and cost of soldering its very high.

  20. #20
    Rising Star
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    Did I understand right- none of you can fix/replace spring hinges?

  21. #21
    Ghost in the OptiMachine Quince's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Den View Post
    Did I understand right- none of you can fix/replace spring hinges?
    Sounds like you have something to share with the class? Looking forward to it!
    Have I told you today how much I hate poly?

  22. #22
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    Quote Originally Posted by optician2601 View Post
    Can you please recommend where we can order soldering tools? We have been outsourcing to Hilco, and its getting so expensive. The shipping, and cost of soldering its very high.
    Hilco has everything that you will need. Torch, solder, flux, a third hand.

  23. #23
    Ghost in the OptiMachine Quince's Avatar
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    Hmm, sounds like a good side business but not something I am interested in adding to the day to day flow. I'll have to check out what the startup cost comes to. Most people are happy enough with shrink tube, but I like having another option.
    Have I told you today how much I hate poly?

  24. #24
    One eye sees, the other feels OptiBoard Silver Supporter
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    Quote Originally Posted by Den View Post
    Did I understand right- none of you can fix/replace spring hinges?
    I think most of us can, at one time or another, braze or weld, I believe that in most instances it's in neither of our interests (optician/client) to do so. I recommend taking the cost of repair and applying it towards a new pair, or a barebones temporary pair, if their spare pair is marginal and/or if there's a long wait to see an ophtho or optom.

    Best regards,

    Robert Martellaro
    Science is a way of trying not to fool yourself. - Richard P. Feynman

    Experience is the hardest teacher. She gives the test before the lesson.



  25. #25
    Master OptiBoarder OptiBoard Gold Supporter
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    Quote Originally Posted by Den View Post
    Did I understand right- none of you can fix/replace spring hinges?
    Give me the tools and I can I will, but america wants it all and doesn't want to pay for performance.

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