TKL - Squeaky handles - SOLVED!

[Dennisthe Menace]

I believe that Dennis and I were just having some light hearted fun on how to solve the problem.

Jim

Yes we were........Please, Don't Try That At Home!!

[MWaldorf]

I finally discovered the cause of the mystery Hallmark TKL case squeaks. Turns out that is wasn't the handle at all - it was the case itself! With a guitar in the case, lifting the case by the handle actually warps the wood under it, causing the squeaks.

Here you can see how much the case warped:



As a solution, I decided to add another case latch. After a bit of searching, I was able to find the same kind of latches as the originals.


I aligned the latch in the center of the handle and drilled the mounting holes.


The latches are attached with finishing rivets. I found them in two sizes 1/8" and 1/4" inch. I used the 1/4" ones.


The rivet sticks through just enough for the split tangs to stick through. I used pliers to bend them down. It's important to make sure the rivet head is flush with the latch when you bend them so they are tight.


Here's the finished installation, sitting above my other Hallmark case, which, for whatever reason, hasn't had this issue.


Now, with guitar in case, there's no warping, and no squeaking!

[oipunkguy]

awesome job Mel!

[Dennisthe Menace]

Awesome discovery Mel!!

[Veenture]

Glad you finally found the cause. Like with squeaks in cars, they can be very frustrating (not to mention annoying) when they're so elusive. Good job!

[MWaldorf]

Glad you finally found the cause. Like with squeaks in cars, they can be very frustrating (not to mention annoying) when they're so elusive. Good job!

Ha! My old Buick has so many weird rattles I've come to find it charming (granted the 350 V-8 helps, too) With a guitar case, there were only so many things that could be squeaking, and it was a particularly unpleasant squeak at that. I can't believe it took me so long to figure out what it was. Of course, looking straight down at the case while holding it, you couldn't see the warp. It was only when I put the case on my workbench *with a guitar in it* that I actually saw the warpage.

[dubtrub]

Mel,

Was that the case you got from me that was squeaking? I never used it except in and out of the closet so I would have never noticed it.

[MWaldorf]

Mel,

Was that the case you got from me that was squeaking? I never used it except in and out of the closet so I would have never noticed it.

I don't know. The two cases are essentially identical, with the exception that one was squeaking and the other wasn't. Other than this one issue they're good cases.