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tinsltootsie · 08-04-2008, 08:03 PM

I have four new tambour precut doors for my bedroom overheads. Does anyone know how to get the handles off the old tambours? And how to reattach them?

Isadora · 08-04-2008, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tinsltootsie

I have four new tambour precut doors for my bedroom overheads. Does anyone know how to get the handles off the old tambours? And how to reattach them?

We just tore apart the tambour on the kitchen cabinet but havent tried to get the handle off yet....I'll work on it and report back. It did look pretty firmly attached. Unless maybe somebody else knows????

Ganglin · 08-04-2008, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tinsltootsie

I have four new tambour precut doors for my bedroom overheads. Does anyone know how to get the handles off the old tambours? And how to reattach them?

Not sure what year your unit is as it's not in your profile. On our 71 they are on with adhesive. I had one pop loose - tried silicone but it didn't hold so I went with liquid nails. If you have one of the small snap off tip razor knifes you could run that down both sides of the channel and pull it free. In retrospect - my guess is they used contact cement originally.

Note the 72 service manual says they are held in place by screws thru the back side of the handle.

Isadora · 08-04-2008, 09:42 PM

I looked at the tambour handle on the one we took out of the Argosy--this one wasn't meant to be taken off. The back of the handle is 'punched' on--little punches all across the back of the handle--no glue, no screws, no way to get it off. If yours is like that, you might be able to drill out the punches and remove and replace the tambour, and reattach it with small screws. Looks like Airstream experimented with different ways to attach the handles. Hope yours isn't like this one!

**azflycaster** · 08-04-2008, 09:54 PM

I had one come off. It was just pressed on and had the small dimples as described in the previous post. After I cleaned the racks and got it sliding easily I attached the handle again. I used clamps to squeeze the handle back onto the material. I used small pieced of wood with the clamps so the face would not be marred.

Isadora · 08-04-2008, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azflycaster

I had one come off. It was just pressed on and had the small dimples as described in the previous post. After I cleaned the racks and got it sliding easily I attached the handle again. I used clamps to squeeze the handle back onto the material. I used small pieced of wood with the clamps so the face would not be marred.

This one is not coming off, with force even. I tried prying it off, I had thought about using the handle for another project, but there is no way without bending it all out of shape. It is on there for good. Good luck with yours.

tinsltootsie · 08-05-2008, 12:18 PM

I think ours are the difficult ones, with the dimples. I'm going to try tapping a wood chisel which I hope will help pop it out. Thanks for all the info. I was afraid it would not be simple.

Lumatic · 08-05-2008, 12:26 PM

I have done the handles in several trailers. Here's what worked for me. Using a hammer drive a flat head screw driver between the tambour and handle. The twist the screwdriver to widen the gap. Do this for the length of the handle until it releases.

To reattach hammer the gap closed using a hammer and a wood block. Use a center punch to dimple the handle. You can also drill and pop rivet the handle in position.

tinsltootsie · 08-05-2008, 07:07 PM

Thanks all. Lumatic's suggestions go along with what I already tried with success. We have a service station, so I went there to use the table clamp, and my son brought out a curved awl type of tool he said is used for pulling out hoses. That and my woodchisels, got them out fine. He use a pliers to tighten them back on. I had contact cement handy, but it didn't look like I would need it. Now, I hope they are not too short. I think I measured two strips too short. Mine were in pieces, so that is my excuse. But I'm hoping they work okay, otherwise, it is a big loss, about $80 each. Quite a lot for an education. This weekend, we go back to our trailer site and I will see how things go.