Installing Outside Side Mirrors

[TransAmMike]

I searched and looked at several pages of threads and didn't see any helpful info on installing the mirrors.  I know I saw somewhere a tutorial on using pins but I can't find it so I'm asking the "experts" for some help here.

I have up to this point always just "free-handed" gluing those little devils and of course invariably get some kind of glue blemish on the body.  For the life of me I don't know how you can drill a hole in the tiny base of the mirror to glue a pin. 

So I asking for any info on this.  I'm pretty sure others would be interested in this post.  

[espo]

I use a staple from a normal desk stapler. Usually a # 70 or # 71 drill to drill a hole in the body and the base of the mirror or what ever else you want to attach to the body. I'll glue the pin into the base of the mirror and when dry then glue it to the body. When possible I leave the pin long enough that it will pass thru the body. This isn't a must, just the way I do it. I like to glue from the inside of the body to minimize any glue on the paint finish. Some other types of glue that can be used are any of the clear canopy type glues and I have even used Future Floor Polish in tight places. There are many ways to do this, this is just how I choose to do it most of the time. I'm sure others will have other suggestions also. We'll both learn from their replies.   

[TransAmMike]

Thanks David, I still don't know how its possible to drill a hole on such a small piece of plastic. The base is tiny.

[Plowboy]

I drill a .020 hole in the base of the mirror and glue a piece of. 020 styrene rod into it. Then place a small piece of tape on the door in case I make a slip and drill a .020 hole in it. Remove tape. Then I simply place the mirror onto the door and glue it from the inside. I use Tamiya Extra Thin so that it will wick in around the rod. For a little insurance, I also put a drop of crazy glue on the rod. Allow it to dry and snip off the excess rod.

[espo]

1 hour ago, TransAmMike said:

Thanks David, I still don't know how its possible to drill a hole on such a small piece of plastic. The base is tiny.

I use a pin vise for the drill bit. There are several sizes out there and I have two different sizes since some of the bits are to big for one and to small for the other. Hobby Lobby ids a good place to look, but a good hobby shop should have the better tools or you may have to order on line.  I like Plowboys suggestion of using plastic in stead off the wire. I'm a little ham fisted so wire works better for me.   

[afx]

Either metal wire/rod or plastic rod will work I have used both.

Plastic Rod example:

[TransAmMike]

 

1 hour ago, espo said:

I use a pin vise for the drill bit. There are several sizes out there and I have two different sizes since some of the bits are to big for one and to small for the other. Hobby Lobby ids a good place to look, but a good hobby shop should have the better tools or you may have to order on line.  I like Plowboys suggestion of using plastic in stead off the wire. I'm a little ham fisted so wire works better for me.   

Well I tried the pin thing and actually successfully drilled holes in the mirror base with my pin vise and used small wire for the pins.  So I guess my apprehensions weren't needed. Of course, I do still have to drill holes in the body in the right spots and glue them on.

[Oldcarfan27]

1 hour ago, TransAmMike said:

Of course, I do still have to drill holes in the body in the right spots and glue them on.

Just do your measurements and drilling before you paint so you can make sure they're positioned correctly before finishing. 

And put a drop of glue on the inside of the body to avoid visible glue smears. 

[Tom Geiger]

I drill and mount my mirrors onto lengths of straight pin. See test fit here. See passenger side pin inside body.  Only cut the pin when you are ready to permanently install. As others said, glue from inside. 

As a bonus the long pin keeps small parts from getting lost and can be used as a mount point when painting the part.

I found it’s only necessary to drill one post. Here are mirrors with pin cut, ready to mount.

I do all my drilling with this old eXacto brand battery power drill. No longer sold, but Tamiya sells a drill today.

Edited December 11, 2020 by Tom Geiger

[peteski]

I also pin mirrors and many other small parts.  I have used 0.012" diameter brass rod (and drill with #80 [0.0135"] drill bit) for really small parts.  It is doable but you need to have steady hand and go slow.

[NOBLNG]

26 minutes ago, peteski said:

It is doable but you need to have steady hand and go slow.

And be careful not to drill right through and into your finger! ? It’s sometimes hard to hang onto them slippery little devils with tweezers.

[Tom Geiger]

5 minutes ago, NOBLNG said:

And be careful not to drill right through and into your finger! ? 

As in, okay I’m bleeding ? might as well check my blood sugar!

[Tom Geiger]

48 minutes ago, peteski said:

I also pin mirrors and many other small parts.  

Here’s a hose I pinned tonight. Note it was spray painted on the pin. Once satisfied, the pin was cut to necessary length and right now it’s on my Jeepster.

[peteski]

1 hour ago, NOBLNG said:

And be careful not to drill right through and into your finger! ? It’s sometimes hard to hang onto them slippery little devils with tweezers.

True. I drill these by hand. I use the PCB drill bits which have 1/8" shanks, so they are easy to hold in my fingers (or in a pin-vise).  That #80 bits are very fragile, but I usually manage not to break them.

[TransAmMike]

Thanks for the replies.  Here's a picture of my first pinning job.  As I stated earlier, I used a pin vise with tiny drill bit. I don't know what size the bit was because the little rascals are all loose in the case. I glued the tiny piece of  wire (no clu e what gage) with Superglue in the drilled hole in the mirrors. So next will be the holes in the body.

[peteski]

Looks good so far.  For the future my recommendation would be to pick up a $20 digital caliper (Harbor Freight) to take the guesswork out of what size drill to select and the diameter of the wire.  It really makes model building easier.  I couldn't function without one.

[Andrew McD]

Excellent information on exactly a problem I have had.  My model building skills are progressing as a result of this forum.  Thanks to all that contribute!

[Tom Geiger]

Congrats Mike! Pinning things will make your model building easier. I pin as much as I can, either to get a clean installation like with mirrors and door handles, or for strength in chassis, roll cage assembly and scratch building.

Its best to drill the holes in your body prior to painting if you remember! I just drilled mirror and antenna holes in my painted Jeepster body. To avoid mishaps, I cover the area with blue tape, and drill into that. It’s easier to start your hole on this soft surface, you have the area covered if your drill slips, and the tape will keep the paint from chipping at the edges of your hole.

[TransAmMike]

Good advice Tom. As for drilling the holes in the body before painting, makes sense, unfortunately for me in this case, I already painted the body (and cleared it).  I actually have a digital caliper, didn't even think to use it?

[peteski]

18 minutes ago, TransAmMike said:

Good advice Tom. As for drilling the holes in the body before painting, makes sense, unfortunately for me in this case, I already painted the body (and cleared it).  I actually have a digital caliper, didn't even think to use it?

My caliper almost never leaves the top of my workbench! If I can find it there that is.

Actually, it is there, visible!

[Tom Geiger]

28 minutes ago, TransAmMike said:

Good advice Tom. As for drilling the holes in the body before painting, makes sense, unfortunately for me in this case, I already painted the body (and cleared it). 

Yea! I frickin know better but I forgot! That’s why I’m drilling into a freshly painted body. I do have a second Jeepster in the queue and will drill all my holes prior to paint this time.. we live, we learn!

[TransAmMike]

OK Tom, if this is the game where you have to find the item, I give up, where is it???

36 minutes ago, peteski said:

My caliper almost never leaves the top of my workbench! If I can find it there that is.

Actually, it is there, visible!

 

[TransAmMike]

OOPS!!!! I see it?

[peteski]

16 minutes ago, TransAmMike said:

OOPS!!!! I see it?

Don't feel bad - my workbench often gets out of control. I work on too many projects at a time, leaving me about 1 foot square of working surface.

 

But I'm Peteski, not Tom.  Dont' accuse him of having a messy workbench! 

Edited December 12, 2020 by peteski

[Tom Geiger]

11 minutes ago, TransAmMike said:

OK Tom, if this is the game where you have to find the item, I give up, where is it???

 

That wasn’t me, it was Pete!

I have maybe another ten square inches of visible bench space! ?