993 mirror assembly - Handy diy tool / video

[JakobM]

I went and made a simple tool for assembly and disassembly 993 mirrors. I found it very difficult to separate the two spring loaded pieces without damaging the paint if not using some kind of tool. Specially on the assembly process I would not like to do this with fresh painted mirrors without a tool. The amount of force needed to compress the spring and turn spring-console (at the same time) is about the same weight and skills from a full grown man turning in a handstand on the workbench

Instead, I find the tool works really great for both assembling and disassembling as the video below shows

The tool can be made in many ways and possible much simpler. This is made of 3 pieces, and I decided to put handles on it.

How it is made:

1) Spring-key handle: Use a 14mm nut (will fit inside the spring console), weld it to a 10cm pipe / 12mm diameter, weld two handles on it - then drill out nut so a 8mm thread rod will slide inside with no thread/friction (the handle is only used to turn the spring-retainer flange as easy as possible)

2) Rod: Use a 8mm threaded rod and weld a T-handle in the end, appr. 25cm long. This connects with the End Cap.

3) End cap: Find an appr. 35mm diameter pipe, 2mm thickness, cut it to appr. 1cm ring, then out of 4mm steel a rectangle piece and drill hole/ 8mm thread in here. After welded, then cut a piece out of the ring in one side to have clear view of how the 993 spring console turns and fall correct into the groove on either assembly or disassembly as you turn it with the Spring-key console handle.

It takes appr. 3-4 minutes to assemble or disassemble a 993 mirror with this tool and the spring loaded. Video shows both the assembly and disassembly process for illustration purpose before going to paint shop - It is important the tension is only started when the spring console (dont know a better word for it) is sliding correct in the grove. Otherwise, loosen a bit, then turn a little bit on the handle and start again. You will see in the video my first attempt the spring console was not in correct spot when I started tension so I adjusted position and the mirror cabinet went smooth apart and back together again





I paint my DIY tools green, then I dont trash them 3 years down the road when I cant remember what it is and have forgot all about the metal actually serves a purpose

[ard]

Thanks for posting this. Very cool idea

[JakobM]

Thanks, it makes a paint job much more relaxing

I should have posted tool/guide in this thread with same topic to beginn with (found it just now) https://forums.pelicanparts.com/newreply.php?do=postreply&t=692201