The Ford Barn

Chris Haynes · 10-13-2017, 11:45 PM

I am trying to open the light switch housing, It went together easily a few months ago. Now I have got to turn but it won't open. Looking for ideas.
TIA

daveymc29 · 10-14-2017, 09:52 AM

Just pulls apart unless a bad short has welded it together, might be able to get a small screw driver to pry apart a bit, wet the joint with wd-40. That won't hurt the electrical parts and may loosen it a bit.

lindy williams · 10-14-2017, 10:03 AM

Same as above but in addition use a rubber jar opener to increase your grip.

john charlton · 10-14-2017, 01:56 PM

As you try to turn it push it in this will help to disengage the "pegs" on the body as there is a "J" shape in the slots .

John in same place same weather .

Chris Haynes · 10-14-2017, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lindy williams

Same as above but in addition use a rubber jar opener to increase your grip.

What a great idea. I ran to the kitchen knowing I had at least three of them in my collection. Sadly all mine fit Mason Jar lids and are too large to grip the switch housing.

burner31 · 10-15-2017, 12:26 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Just be careful you don't crush the housing

Tom Wesenberg · 10-15-2017, 01:33 AM

Cut a couple 1" slices from an old bicycle inner tube to slip over the two halves, and you can get a good grip with no damage.

slammin · 10-15-2017, 06:48 AM

All the light wiring was missing from my 29. I bought one of Brattons high dollar US made housings. Would there be any harm coating the pieces with a little anti-seize compound to head off a problem like Chris is having?

DJ S · 10-15-2017, 07:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slammin

All the light wiring was missing from my 29. I bought one of Brattons high dollar US made housings. Would there be any harm coating the pieces with a little anti-seize compound to head off a problem like Chris is having?

I wouldn't hurt but this problem isn't common.

old31 · 10-15-2017, 08:32 AM

Go to the dollar store and pick up some rubber shelf liners.

I use them all the time to put under jacks, open /grip things, line the vice jaws.

https://www.amazon.com/Tact-Premium-...W9YDT3AWTGDR0P

Chris Haynes · 10-15-2017, 02:15 PM

I have a good grip on it. It simply won't budge.

BillCNC · 10-15-2017, 03:17 PM

Hi Chris,

WD-40 on the seam?

Regards
Bill

Chris Haynes · 10-16-2017, 12:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillCNC

Hi Chris,

WD-40 on the seam?

Regards
Bill

Already soaked it with Kroil which is far better than WD 40.

Dollar Bill · 10-16-2017, 01:22 AM

Strap wrench for some leverage and remember "Righty-Tighty, Lefty-Loosey.

Floats · 10-16-2017, 04:04 AM

Hi Chris,
Isnt it just a slight push in, then turn, or have you tried that?

Chris Haynes · 10-21-2017, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Floats

Hi Chris,
Isnt it just a slight push in, then turn, or have you tried that?

I got it to turn. I just can't get it to separate.

JDupuis · 10-21-2017, 07:47 PM

Must have been made with that rare metal known as cantundoem.

keep trying. Jeff

BILL WILLIAMSON · 10-22-2017, 07:06 PM

Saw a movie, where a BIG Cook couldn't open a jar of Pickles. Handed it to a SKINNY Waitress & she WHIPPED it off! Maybe you need to take it down to your Coffee Shop--LOL
Pat would loosen a jar top, then hand it to me, as if she couldn't do it & LAFF!--GOD, I miss her!
Bill Stupidass

Chris Haynes · 10-22-2017, 07:37 PM

I put a piece of pipe in the vice. Then stuck the pipe into the hole in the switch that the wiring goes through. A little leverage back and forth and it popped open. :-)

ericr · 10-23-2017, 02:53 PM

I know this is dangerous advice but would a tiny bit of heat on the female housing help?

10-13-2017, 11:45 PM	#1
Chris Haynes Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Camarillo, CA and Pine Grove, CA Posts: 2,832	Trying to open the light switch housing I am trying to open the light switch housing, It went together easily a few months ago. Now I have got to turn but it won't open. Looking for ideas. TIA __________________ 1921 Runabout 1930 Tudor Early 1930 AA Speed costs money. How fast do you want to go?

10-14-2017, 09:52 AM	#2
daveymc29 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Danville, CA Posts: 1,554	Re: Trying to open the light switch housing Just pulls apart unless a bad short has welded it together, might be able to get a small screw driver to pry apart a bit, wet the joint with wd-40. That won't hurt the electrical parts and may loosen it a bit.

10-14-2017, 10:03 AM	#3
lindy williams Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 335	Re: Trying to open the light switch housing Same as above but in addition use a rubber jar opener to increase your grip.

10-14-2017, 01:56 PM	#4
john charlton Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,304	Re: Trying to open the light switch housing As you try to turn it push it in this will help to disengage the "pegs" on the body as there is a "J" shape in the slots . John in same place same weather .

10-15-2017, 01:33 AM	#7
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Trying to open the light switch housing Cut a couple 1" slices from an old bicycle inner tube to slip over the two halves, and you can get a good grip with no damage.

10-15-2017, 06:48 AM	#8
slammin Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Fruita, CO Posts: 281	Re: Trying to open the light switch housing All the light wiring was missing from my 29. I bought one of Brattons high dollar US made housings. Would there be any harm coating the pieces with a little anti-seize compound to head off a problem like Chris is having?

10-15-2017, 08:32 AM	#10
old31 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Posts: 2,098	Re: Trying to open the light switch housing Go to the dollar store and pick up some rubber shelf liners. I use them all the time to put under jacks, open /grip things, line the vice jaws. https://www.amazon.com/Tact-Premium-...W9YDT3AWTGDR0P

10-15-2017, 02:15 PM	#11
Chris Haynes Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Camarillo, CA and Pine Grove, CA Posts: 2,832	Re: Trying to open the light switch housing I have a good grip on it. It simply won't budge. __________________ 1921 Runabout 1930 Tudor Early 1930 AA Speed costs money. How fast do you want to go?

10-15-2017, 03:17 PM	#12
BillCNC Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: SoCal Desert Posts: 826	Re: Trying to open the light switch housing Hi Chris, WD-40 on the seam? Regards Bill

10-16-2017, 04:04 AM	#15
Floats Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Mossel Bay, about 300km from Cape Town Posts: 530	Re: Trying to open the light switch housing Hi Chris, Isnt it just a slight push in, then turn, or have you tried that? __________________ Regards Chris Cape Town 28 Model A RPU, 29 Chevy Phaeton, 67 E Type FHC, 67 250SL Pagoda, 83 911 SC

10-21-2017, 07:47 PM	#17
JDupuis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Maryhill Ont Canada Posts: 834	Re: Trying to open the light switch housing Must have been made with that rare metal known as cantundoem. keep trying. Jeff __________________ Let's let pylons, be pylons!

10-22-2017, 07:06 PM	#18
BILL WILLIAMSON Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: FRESNO, CA Posts: 12,560	Re: Trying to open the light switch housing Saw a movie, where a BIG Cook couldn't open a jar of Pickles. Handed it to a SKINNY Waitress & she WHIPPED it off! Maybe you need to take it down to your Coffee Shop--LOL Pat would loosen a jar top, then hand it to me, as if she couldn't do it & LAFF!--GOD, I miss her! Bill Stupidass __________________ "THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF"

10-22-2017, 07:37 PM	#19
Chris Haynes Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Camarillo, CA and Pine Grove, CA Posts: 2,832	Re: Trying to open the light switch housing I put a piece of pipe in the vice. Then stuck the pipe into the hole in the switch that the wiring goes through. A little leverage back and forth and it popped open. :-) __________________ 1921 Runabout 1930 Tudor Early 1930 AA Speed costs money. How fast do you want to go?

10-23-2017, 02:53 PM	#20
ericr Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 1,542	Re: Trying to open the light switch housing I know this is dangerous advice but would a tiny bit of heat on the female housing help?