Plastic welding

[h8ten]

My brother bought me one of these hot stapler thingys for my birthday and then asked if I could try fixing something for him. Unfortunately, the material to be fixed was too thin. I've seen the super glue and baking soda fixes, as well as superglue and tissue paper. Other than that I might have suggested either Sugru or Fixits.

 

[Blueboy 1878]

Whilst i have used the plastic welding method on unseen areas of car bumpers etc i plumped for these 3D printed ones from ebay when mine went.£40 for two if memory serves and stronger than the originals as full plastic across the back.Just another option

 

[pj650]

Whilst i have used the plastic welding method on unseen areas of car bumpers etc i plumped for these 3D printed ones from ebay when mine went.£40 for two if memory serves and stronger than the originals as full plastic across the back.Just another option



View attachment 976566

I bought these 3D printed shelves as well. Far superior to the Dometic ones. Very strong.

 

[Leggit]

Try dissolving similar plastic in 99.9% Acetone to a thin or thick consistency to suit the job. I have used this several times now, it works and for me has made a very strong repair. Very useful for repair of plastic side skirts. Can also be used with fibreglass mat for reinforcement. Obviously use in a well ventilated area and try to keep off your skin.

 

[Bill-H]

A cracked and hanging off plastic bumper greeted me as I returned to my motorhome in a car park in Montenegro a few years ago. I carry a gas powered soldering iron and with a few bent staples from the centre of a magazine plus three big staples from a cardboard box and the soldering iron I was able to bodge it all back into place from underneath where it didn't show. The smashed rear light I held back together with some strong clear 'polytunnel tape' which I also carry.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[hymerman]

Super glues and baking soda mixed the dyson the other day well two years ago after I dropped it



View attachment 976341

Another recommendation for superglue and baking soda, almost majical chemical bond occurs.

 

[Palough]

I disagree. The shape of the staples should be chosen based on the material being used. The shorter wiggle ones are for thinner plastic or non structural. But should still be used along the crack.
The ones with big wiggles are for thicker plastic or for structural plastics.

In this case he has used staples that are not the most optimal for the job. Using this type would have been better for this job.

View attachment 976101

I tried to avoid being a know it all or lecturing. But I see many people using these the wrong way and it will end up with a much weaker joint and I don't know how to phrase it better

As a structural Engineer, my opinion is that the fridge tray repair is absolutely correct

This is because flexure across the broken pieces causes a Bending Moment which can only be resisted by a lever arm counter Bending Moment.

The longer the length of the ends of the staple across the break, the stronger is the resisting Bending Moment.

QED

 

[Palough]

I used superglue to fix the two broken bits together and the staples are to ensure they stay stuck.

I repaired the fridge hinges using this same technique.

Firstly super glue broken parts into position, and then plastic welding with staples.

Repaired bith hinges as one was completely broken, and the other cracked in the identical place.

One year on, no repeat failure

 

[Gromett]

As a structural Engineer, my opinion is that the fridge tray repair is absolutely correct

This is because flexure across the broken pieces causes a Bending Moment which can only be resisted by a lever arm counter Bending Moment.

The longer the length of the ends of the staple across the break, the stronger is the resisting Bending Moment.

QED

I disagree but am not going to argue.

 

[SarahBattyll]

I so need to have that tool! I can’t believe something I don’t have!! How have I managed this far in life? Amazon send when of these thingy ma bobs - NOW!

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}