Optimus 11 case - reassembly?

I got an Optimus 11 I am now working on reassembly.
I have stripped/sandblasted (glass beads) and then painted it with spray primer.
I am now working on reassembling it.
It's like a puzzle.
Do I put it together completely then paint, or paint the pieces and assemble?

Also, is there a special way to get the rear hinge/handle together without damaging the parts?

I expect someone will send a link. I searched for something, and so far came up empty.

Ken in NC

 

Here is the trouble and then some history.
The hinge was unrolled to remove the handle. I cannot imagine rolling the hinge back into position without damaging the hinge or un-spotwelding it from the case.

Note that the 2 parts of the case are not fully overlapping, as they should, but the handle is in all '4' parts of the hinge. If the 2 parts of the hinge are rolled down, then the case should come together.






Here it is as I received it. The case was assembled, it was a gift from Nikki.



Ken in NC

 

Ok, I tried something.
I have an old brass bushing from a shop I used to work at, that is heavy enough and has 2 'bosses' like 'hammer heads' about 7 inches across. Well, it is the perfect size to set the inside of the hinge onto and 'tap' with a 1/2 inch brass rod to 'roll' the hinge closed enough to lock the handle into place.
I touched up the primer, seen above. The next day, and today, I sprayed the case with the Charleston Green Rustoleum. I will let it set for several days in the shop. I will then cure it in the Coleman Stove Top Oven.

Ken in NC
(I was once called a Fearless Fettler. I feel like it, going into unknown territory with an Optimus 11, a gift from my wife.)

 

Pictures are worth a thousand words.

Not done. Not cured.

Ken in NC

 

Hi Ken, so far it looks good! Hard to judge by a photo, but the 11s came in a deep-dark green colour. It looks like you're not far of! When I bought mine, it was advertised in the military section! (seller claimed it had been used by Belgian troops in Africa, in Congo before it became independant The only 'individual' cooking devices I know that were used in the Belgian army are the Esbit folders. I asked a veteran para-commando who was in action during that time and he assured me he never saw anything like a liquid fuelled stove whatsoever).
The 11 works beautiful on kero, I also have a pair of 111 working on kero but the 11 looks to have the most powerful flame. Maybe it is just me, but if I had to chose, I'd go for the 11! You'll love yours!

All the best,

Wim

 

Thanks Wim. I have had it running on kerosene, and have not tried it with white gas/petrol yet.

I do love it. I never imagined me painting a case, I have like old things looking old.

Ken in NC