man over board,jus kidding, plastic help

[the1much]

hey peoples, i know ya cant use fiberglass for fixing plastic (tried to many times heh) but i have a meter that goes on a big tank, its kinda boxed shape, its made outta hard , thick ( 1/2"), and someone (me) broke a piece off it. i've tried resin and cabasil, even tried that TPO epoxy for plastic bumpers
so now im trying you guyz. man i hate it when i cant glass things! oh, i even tried that bad word(bondo) stuff.

[charmc]

Article on weld repairs on plastic parts here:

http://i-car.com/pdf/upcr/procedures/pr/pr01.pdf

Gorilla Glue claims it willl make waterproof repairs to plastic items.

[the1much]

im also missing a piece about an inch in a spot too

[charmc]

Originally Posted by the1much

im also missing a piece about an inch in a spot too

Believe it or not, go to ebay.com, search the terms plastic pieces, nearly 300 items, take your pick.

[the1much]

thanks man

[the1much]

heres pics, the piece missing is a half inch chunk from that missing ear, i have the end and 1 side, its just missing 1 side piece. if noone understands me i can get that other piece in the pic too,,well maybe i can heh,,Ty alls

[charmc]

Ahhh! A stress-bearing part.

Plastic welding might work, and you could build up the mising area with "weld rod", similar to the way metal welders do. To get back to original strength, however, you'll need to know exactly which of the many plastics was actually used to make the original part.

Here's another suggestion, if cosmetics are not as important as function. You can use the other lug to make a template, then cut 2 pieces of metal (aluminum or light guage SS) and drill the top hole to match. Drill 2 smaller holes through the lower end of the metal pieces and the base of the broken lug, then through bolt the metal to either side of the broken lug. If necessary or desired, use a piece of hard rubber, plastic, or something similar as a spacer between the 2 metal pieces above the broken off lug base. Definitely not pretty, but it should get the job done.

[oops!]

Meythil chloride
ava at industrial plastics and paint.
will weld it instantaly and permanantly

[the1much]

Thanks charmc and oops,,oops, is that suff for a "plastic welder,, or goop ta spread on?,,,,,,,and TY again guys

[Fanie]

As Charlie suggested you could maybe grind the broken piece off and replace it altogether with a machined part you screw into it's place - it could even be stainless. Ultrasonic welding works well but if the part broke in the first place either the material has deterrred and is becomming brittle or the ear is a bad design from the start.

For the hole you could make a cap out of suitable material that will cover the hole and use a rubber for polly foam as a sealing gasket with screws all around. You get foams that won't dissolve in fuel. Nupreen rubber will work but in my experience doesn't last long if exposed to UV ie from the sun.

[oops!]

methyl chyloride is a watery stuff like crazy glue
but just a bit different!!!!
it is applied with a needle like pin attached to a small bottle.
it will instantly weld the plastic parts togeather.
they actually melt togeather.
less is more. used primarily on lexxan or plexi glass. the stuff is strong!
make sure surfaces are clean. (acetone.)
then just one small drop on each side. hold peces togeather, u dont need clamps. and 10 secs later , done!
in canada the store is called industrial plastics and paint.
i dont know what the us counterpart is called. but any place that sells plexi glass will carry it.
methyl cloride is cheep! i allways have a small container handy. youll end up using it for lots of stuff!
cheers!

[the1much]

Thanks guys today and tomorrow i got paintin ta do, then im trying that fancy werd stuff heh then if that dont work i guess im left making a cast for it(too bad i didnt charge as much as a doc.) i appreciate the responses