A small update on repair of the G5 case, the feet of which had been bent and rivets popped in shipping. For the sake of posterity:
I briefly considered mechanical fastenings (screws), but thought I would try an adhesive in the first instance. For repair of the G5 case, therefore, I have been using a couple of pipe clamps, a crowbar, some scrap wood, and JB Weld. JB Weld is an epoxy with a metallic filler that comes in a standard two-part mix in small tubes, and that is readily available in most any hardware store in these parts.
To do the repair, the compound is mixed and spread with a knife or similar tool, and then the pieces pried into position and finally clamped together firmly. The clamps need to kept on for a minimum of 15 hrs in normal house temperatures; 24hrs is better. I have been doing the repair of the G5 with the side door in place, in order to ensure that it would be able to go into place once the epoxy had cured (those plates had been badly bent, so the side door, which was intact, amounted in my case to a template for the repair).
The forces involved in holding the bent metal together are far more than muscle power alone could manage, but the JB Weld does appear to hold, IF there is some purchase (something rough to hold) for it in the case parts rather than just smooth aluminum plate. Thus the rivets and the holes from which they were torn seem to be ideal; the JB Weld holds well there, and this is the area it ought to be mostly applied. Elsewhere on the case where there is no such purchase, e.g., at the seam of the cheese grater back and the side, it does not appear to hold (I has a small separation there and thought I would try it), but that is not the area that usually needs attention in G5 case damage.
The case, though not pristine, is now looking pretty darned good, given where I started; the JB Weld is a darker grey than the aluminum finish, and so has to be kept from view, but this is not hard to do. It can also be sanded/ cut away if any is visible on completion. Great stuff for these purposes.
I briefly considered mechanical fastenings (screws), but thought I would try an adhesive in the first instance. For repair of the G5 case, therefore, I have been using a couple of pipe clamps, a crowbar, some scrap wood, and JB Weld. JB Weld is an epoxy with a metallic filler that comes in a standard two-part mix in small tubes, and that is readily available in most any hardware store in these parts.
To do the repair, the compound is mixed and spread with a knife or similar tool, and then the pieces pried into position and finally clamped together firmly. The clamps need to kept on for a minimum of 15 hrs in normal house temperatures; 24hrs is better. I have been doing the repair of the G5 with the side door in place, in order to ensure that it would be able to go into place once the epoxy had cured (those plates had been badly bent, so the side door, which was intact, amounted in my case to a template for the repair).
The forces involved in holding the bent metal together are far more than muscle power alone could manage, but the JB Weld does appear to hold, IF there is some purchase (something rough to hold) for it in the case parts rather than just smooth aluminum plate. Thus the rivets and the holes from which they were torn seem to be ideal; the JB Weld holds well there, and this is the area it ought to be mostly applied. Elsewhere on the case where there is no such purchase, e.g., at the seam of the cheese grater back and the side, it does not appear to hold (I has a small separation there and thought I would try it), but that is not the area that usually needs attention in G5 case damage.
The case, though not pristine, is now looking pretty darned good, given where I started; the JB Weld is a darker grey than the aluminum finish, and so has to be kept from view, but this is not hard to do. It can also be sanded/ cut away if any is visible on completion. Great stuff for these purposes.