Apple III in need of some care

[meall]

I have an Apple III I bought many years ago from a member of this forum. Can't remember who, sadly!

I have not started it in years, but I know it needs some care. The first thing is the floppy door on the main unit. The flap that close the door and put the floppy heads on the disk is broken. It closes, but needs some effort to not break anything else any further. I' not in front of it now, but if I remember well, the plastic pins that serve as the hinge to the door are broken, or at least one of them.

I have an external III floppy that I could "destroy" to repair the main unit, but I'm looking at a better/cleaner solution. Maybe someone have some pieces they are willing to trade or sell. Or there may be a solution to repair the current plastic door...

Another estetic thing OS the top plastic case that is cracked on the floppy side, but that does not prevent to use it. I' we been looking for parts on eBay for a while, but niet...

Thanks all.

 

[david__schmidt]

I have an external III floppy that I could "destroy" to repair the main unit, but I'm looking at a better/cleaner solution.

You'll need to repair the door.  The door/hinge mechanism is different in the external drive because it has a face that goes straight down, as opposed to the slope of the front of the console.  You'll have a hard time finding spare parts, so look into repairing the plastics...

 

[meall]

The different angles of door is something I have not been thinking about much. Your argument makes lot of senses...

But how do you suggest I proceed to repair that little pin that is broken? (see the pictures)

Nothing glued there will be strong enough to support the door closing/opening repetitive movement... 

Maybe digging a small hole on each side where the hinge is and insert a long enough metal rod??

 

[TheWhiteFalcon]

Could do a rod, or drill out the one side and glue a rod into it.

 

[david__schmidt]

I'm not sure if the space between the two nubs needs to be clear... so a full axle might not work.  a nice tight-fitting bit of metal (perhaps as simple as a bit of clothes hanger wire might be the right size?) in a hole you drill would do well there.

...I guess this is why there are 3-D printers nowadays.