I know it’s weird but that little bit of promo swag had been on my keychain across 4 cars and now my keys are weirdly light. It makes me kind of sad.

Edit: I knew y’all would understand. I’m going to try the epoxy idea on my next day off. Your responses have turned a crummy day into a great one.

  • fubarx@lemmy.world
    85·
    1 month ago

    Obtain:

    • A micro drill bit. Cheap off AliExpress. A bit more elsewhere.
    • A trip to ACE hardware (or hobby craft shop). Get:
      • A thin metal dowel, as thick as the medium thick micro-drill bit. You don’t need more than 1-2". Or you can get a couple of thin, stainless steel nails and hack off the ends to size. For this, you’ll need good shears or a little saw. Extra credit for using a Dremel.
      • A good, metal-friendly glue or a dual-mix epoxy. I’d ask for advice.

    Setup:

    • Drill a tiny hole at the center of each side of the loop. Maybe 1/8" or 2-3mm. Standard drill. Protip: the micro-drill bits also fit a Dremel.
    • Drill a slightly deeper hole on the body side (assuming it’s solid).
    • Dry run: test cut a length of metal dowel, enough to join loop and body. Cut to length until both loop and body meet and are flush. The hole shouldn’t be too tight. Enough space for glue that comes later.
    • The dowel adds structure and distributes stress pressure. Reason they use rebars in cement structures.

    Assembly:

    • Drizzle a drop of glue into each hole and a little on the dowel. A little more onto surfaces where the broken parts connect.
    • Assemble body, dowels stuck into drilled holes on both sides, and loop.
    • Wipe excess glue.
    • Wrap some tape vertically to hold it tight. Doesn’t matter what kind. It’s just there to hold things into place.
    • Leave overnight to set.
    • Grab a beverage and stress-scream into a couch cushion. You are master of the physical universe.

    Post-coitus:

    • Unwrap tape, admire handiwork, then put back on keychain.
    • Tell EVERYONE.
    • Post back here with pictures. You’ve earned it.

    Since this is on a keychain, it will be constantly getting pulled. Just gluing it in, or even welding may apply sudden strains and have it snap off at the compromised joints.

    This way, it will outlive you and your grandchildren.