Dented/crushed antenna

[duckman]

Found this little Sanyo M6900F recently and want to know if anyone has any ideas/tips and/or success in repairing these outside of a 'little squeeze' with pliers!

. Pic shows about 4" still out .

Thank you in advance, as I know I have a couple more to get to too.

 

[eli]

You got me on this one---
I would think that any type of attempted correction by bending etc...
would probably make things worse based on the type of junk metal that seems to be rule on antenna's?

 

[blu_fuz]

I never try to bend these straight by hand, like eli said it will usually make it worse. I take a hammer and gently tap the points of the bend down while rotating the antenna. Tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, etc..... You just keep working the taps around and around the antenna in the damaged area. Usually it will get to a round enough shape that you can start to start to pull the sections out smooth. Keep the antenna fully collapsed so that you are tapping all of the sections back into shape.

 

[duckman]

Merci, will give 'er a go! Maybe cover metal with a cloth too? Thx Joe

 

[blu_fuz]

If you want to. The chrome casing on the antennas are pretty robust and can handle the tapping. Just keep checking how the dent is working out as you go, should be ok. If that one section is sticking out, don't try to push it back in until you have most of the kink worked out in the other sections.


I didn't mention that when tapping on the antenna, I usually have our kitchen cutting board under the antenna. So rotating while tapping keeps it as even as it will get. Start with gentle taps, almost just the weight of the hammer, and see how it reacts.

 

[duckman]

Only a $5 box, but worth the try to see if it will work, and the wood under it is a good call as it has a little give. Will update.

Just curious tho, do these come apart at the bottom easily? My bud here just suggested sending a rod up inside if possible.

 

[blu_fuz]

I have never taken the bottom off an antenna. If you can get it apart, maybe try that way instead.

 

[nikonfoo]

i really dont think taking the bottom of is an option they are crimped where the two indents are

i have tried with antennas i was going to throw out any way and never got one of at bottom

i think the advise above is right very very gently this is very thin metal
It would also be a good idea to take it of the box before you start so you can get it where you want it

Maybe sandwiching it between 2 piece of wood ( or cutting boards ) and rolling it may work
when the metal warms up it becomes more movable
whatever you do do it very slowly

 

[duckman]

Doesn't look like it, at least not that it would be easy or that it would go back together properly.

A-tapping I will go!

 

[blu_fuz]

Yes, like nikonfoo said remove the antenna from the box first

 

[duckman]

VOILA !!!

This was great , live interaction, gotta love it. .

Have it open all the way now thanks muchly.

Nikonfoo,your mention of the metal warming up made me think, so I used a hair dryer to heat it up, tho the tapping had to be more gentle. Not perfect by any means (with a little more effort and lighter hammer it will get better) but at least I can open/close it now and use the handle.

Cheers guys

 

[duckman]

Yes, like nikonfoo said remove the antenna from the box first

Wondering why rotating was giving me a headache !

Fingered that one out on my own, LOL

 

[blu_fuz]

Very cool, glad to help!

 

[nikonfoo]

yea but really i have made the mistake of trying to fix things without removing
because i thought it would save time
also like switches spray some contact pray on it and pull it in and out
as long as you can before yo get a headache
you again will fell the antenna heat up just from the friction
and become smoother
ah its 1 am here
to all GOOD NIGHT |-)

 

[eli]

I never try to bend these straight by hand, like eli said it will usually make it worse. I take a hammer and gently tap the points of the bend down while rotating the antenna. Tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, etc..... You just keep working the taps around and around the antenna in the damaged area. Usually it will get to a round enough shape that you can start to start to pull the sections out smooth. Keep the antenna fully collapsed so that you are tapping all of the sections back into shape.

Wow--thanks very much for the tip---I will for sure use this idea in the future---if something can be fixed by had i always prefer that compared to replacement----!!!

 

[duckman]

Wow--thanks very much for the tip---I will for sure use this idea in the future---if something can be fixed by had i always prefer that compared to replacement----!!!

Let me tell ya though, the hair dryer warming made a WORLD of difference,could even slide it apart and get at the inner section separately after a little tapping , but the tapping had to be very gentle after warming it up. Almost squezzable.

 

[duckman]

Sorry eli, I know you were quoting blu_fuz on that but I couldn;t figure out how to get both comments in.

 

[Lasonic TRC-920]

WOW, that was pretty smashed. That is awesome that worked. I will have to try this down the line.

Nice work guys.

Any pictures of the finished product?

 

[duckman]

WOW, that was pretty smashed. That is awesome that worked. I will have to try this down the line.

Nice work guys.

Any pictures of the finished product?

A bit more tapping to do, but will definitely post pics soon . Not perfect by any means, and will always show for sure, but functioning!

 

[eli]

Sorry eli, I know you were quoting blu_fuz on that but I couldn;t figure out how to get both comments in.

No worries---