I got a deal on a $7.00 + shipping Lionel BN 6101 covered hopper. All 3 metal flat hatch springs plus one end clip are loose and need to be reattached. I have several types of glue on hand but I’m not sure what to use.
I thought the metal clips on postwar cars were made with built-in tinnerman’s clips. I don’t know whether they were changed in the modern era. If they still do, you might try flattening the clips a bit so they grasp better.
On some of the modern era cars I’ve seen, the stud for the end clip is melted down over the clip.
If I was going to try glue, I think I would rough up the contact areas of the metal parts, and use thick, flexible CA glue. I have my doubts about how well that would work.
What is CA glue?