hard case latch repair

[greyling22]

I bought a relatively cheap hard case the other day for 10 bucks at a pawn shop. It has 4 latches, the outer 2 are gone. Would fixing it be as easy as buying a couple draw latches and pop riveting them on, or is there more to it? Looks to have steel corners, some black aluminum trim, and the silvery metal bulk of it is some sort of plastic stuff.

The case came from academy and is now discontinued. They said they would take it back and give me $50 credit to something else if I want. They carry nice hard cases that are over $100 http://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/gam...-with-wheels/pid-94943?color=Grey&N=626381017 , and they have a plano double case http://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/plano-side-by-side-2-rifle-case/pid-30733
that they would swap straight up.

Do you guys think it is worth trying to salvage what I have, or make the trade?

 

[greyling22]

maybe bolt on something like this?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/4-Set-Stain...s-Chests-/140980013123?_trksid=p2054897.l4276

 

[rcmodel]

Swap while the iron is hot!!

You won't break the Plano case in your lifetime I betcha!

Sure, it's not a runway super-model like your broken case.

But I bet she can cook, clean house, and the other stuff the rest of your life!!

rc

 

[greyling22]

well with a recommendation like that how can I not swap them!

 

[evan price]

As originally built those are just rivited in place. If you want to fix it there's no reason why small pop rivits won't work, or small hardware with the nuts tack welded to the threads inside to prevent removal.

Up to you if you want to bother, really.

 

[Chawbaccer]

If you are gonna repair it, Lee Valley has a nice assortment of hardware. I would add a steel backer plate to keep the latches from pulling out again.

 

[Dave Bulla]

I think I'd try to fix it myself.

Pound the puckered metal back flat, look for a latch with the same hole spacing and do like Evan Price said and put a steel backer shim on the inside before you rivet the new latch on. You'll have to pull the foam out and drill the shim plate to match the holes but it would be much stronger than the factory installation.

That looks like a pretty well built case. I'm guessing somebody had to work hard to rip the latches off. Wonder why?