Can't find replacement parts - custom made?

[TangoJuliet]

So, I purchased a entertainment center thing from crate & barrel a couple years ago and they have since discontinued it. In my move a couple weeks ago either myself or the movers misplaced the shelf support pins.

I have gone to home depot, lowe's, ace and a local hardware store and none of the generic pieces fit. The 1/4" is too big and the 3/16" is too small.

Does anyone know if there is a place online that can machine these parts?

Here is a picture

 

[Leros]

You could drill the hole larger or file down the pin until it fits.

 

[imagoon]

Personally I would just drill out the hole to 1/4" and use the store bought ones.

 

[TangoJuliet]

You could drill the hole larger or file down the pin until it fits.

I'd rather not drill into the wood. Its that crappy veneer/particle board stuff and I'm afraid it'll fall apart.

How can I file down the pin? What kind of tool can I buy to do this? Sorry for the noobish question but I'm not the "handy" type.

 

[Jumpem]

You can buy those at Lowes or Home Depot.

 

[Leros]

I'd rather not drill into the wood. Its that crappy veneer/particle board stuff and I'm afraid it'll fall apart.

How can I file down the pin? What kind of tool can I buy to do this? Sorry for the noobish question but I'm not the "handy" type.

A handfile. It would be helpful to have a vice to hold the pin as you file.

I think you'd be fine drilling the wood though.

 

[TangoJuliet]

A handfile. It would be helpful to have a vice to hold the pin as you file.

I think you'd be fine drilling the wood though.

They don't happen to sell a combo vice and hand file in home depot or anything, do they?

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

They don't happen to sell a combo vice and hand file in home depot or anything, do they?

Very doubtful.

You could also use a vice+dremel if you have one. Sand paper (coarse grit) would work as well.

 

[Leros]

They don't happen to sell a combo vice and hand file in home depot or anything, do they?

Doubtful. A cheap handfile will only cost you $5 or so.

Home Depot sells a small vice for $22 that clamps to the edge of a table. link

You can get creative and avoid buying a vice, but a vice will make it a lot easier.

 

[TangoJuliet]

Very doubtful.

You could also use a vice+dremel if you have one. Sand paper (coarse grit) would work as well.

Like sand it down by hand??

 

[feralkid]

They're metric.

Try IKEA or any decent Ace Hardware.

 

[BlackTigers]

Tape around the outside of the pin. (3/16")

Filing or drilling would be your best options, but a roll of electrical tape is 47 cents, and you won't see it.

 

[Bignate603]

Tape around the outside of the pin. (3/16")

Filing or drilling would be your best options, but a roll of electrical tape is 47 cents, and you won't see it.

Good call. A few layers of tape, then trim off any that extends past the peg. As long as you don't need to move the pins often that will work great.

 

[Kreon]

They're metric.

Try IKEA or any decent Ace Hardware.

The Ace Hardware I worked at carried metric versions of those. Try a different Ace, or ask them to order you the metric version of it. I can't remember what brand of fasteners we carried, but I think it may have been something along the lines of Hill.

http://www.acehardware.com/mystore/storeLocator.jsp

EDIT: Tape trick will also work well

 

[0roo0roo]

I'd rather not drill into the wood. Its that crappy veneer/particle board stuff and I'm afraid it'll fall apart.

How can I file down the pin? What kind of tool can I buy to do this? Sorry for the noobish question but I'm not the "handy" type.

nothing a little glue or epoxy won't fit, it really doesn't matter if it is particle board, all the more reason to mod it.

 

[TangoJuliet]

They're metric.

Try IKEA or any decent Ace Hardware.

We? No, we are not French. We're American, because you're in America, okay? Greatest country on the planet ...

I been to ace and their pieces are the same as Lowe's, THD, etc

http://www.acehardware.com/product/i...=shelf+support

 

[TangoJuliet]

The Ace Hardware I worked at carried metric versions of those. Try a different Ace, or ask them to order you the metric version of it. I can't remember what brand of fasteners we carried, but I think it may have been something along the lines of Hill.

http://www.acehardware.com/mystore/storeLocator.jsp

EDIT: Tape trick will also work well

Cool, I'll try a different ACE. What metric size do you think they are? Like I said earlier they're smaller then 1/4" but larger then 3/16". If I can't find the metric then I think I'll go with the tape trick, thanks!

 

[Jeff7]

size in mm = size in inches / 25.4

1/4" = 6.35mm
3/16 = 4.7625mm

So I'd go with either 5 or 6mm diameter.


That should be a fairly common part. I've seen them in a lot of particle-board furniture kits. It's just a cut of steel wire that's partially put into a press to squish it into that shape.

 

[Kreon]

Cool, I'll try a different ACE. What metric size do you think they are? Like I said earlier they're smaller then 1/4" but larger then 3/16". If I can't find the metric then I think I'll go with the tape trick, thanks!

Without seeing it, I would guess a 6. Bit of a shot in the dark, but make sure you bring the part with you. They should have someone there who can help make sure you get the right piece.

 

[BlackTigers]

Cool, I'll try a different ACE. What metric size do you think they are? Like I said earlier they're smaller then 1/4" but larger then 3/16". If I can't find the metric then I think I'll go with the tape trick, thanks!

Anything between 4.8 and 6.3mm are all smaller than (1/4") but ah heck than (3/16")

 

[thescreensavers]

is that for a shelf?

I always just get a screw and screw it into the hole, not going to waste my time you cant see it.

 

[TangoJuliet]

is that for a shelf?

I always just get a screw and screw it into the hole, not going to waste my time you cant see it.

Yeah its for a tv stand and bookshelf. As shown here

I can't find 16 of the pegs so I can't finish setting up the living room

 

[mizzou]

Macgyver it

 

[Gibson486]

IKEA has that bin full of spare odd parts. I bought my replacement part for my old futon there.

 

[TangoJuliet]

IKEA has that bin full of spare odd parts. I bought my replacement part for my old futon there.

ok, its off to ACE and Ikea tomorrow. If they don't have it then the McGuyver tape job will have to do. Thanks guys