Plastic Welding?

[DiskDoctr]

Thanks guys for the info and feedback. Does anyone use a unit that has only a open tube tip? This welder has no paddles. The use of a spoon was mentioned in one post.

That confusion is my fault. The one I have only has the open tube tip as you mention. The spoons are anything you can use that will take the heat. You can get some that are shaped like dental tools but have different shapes and sizes of ends.

These are often used for leatherworking tools, such as here:
Modeling Tools: One Stop

Sorry for the confusion.

-JC

 

[valley]

Hi, I've been away, sorry. There was no confusion, you discribed it well. I'm not sure I want to use this welder or take it back for some other tool. Once I use it , its mine.

 

[DiskDoctr]

If I were doing it again, I'd go for the more expensive unit with built in air (no compressor needed). The basic version I have uses a lot of air, and this ties me to using it in the main garage.

But that is because I like it and would surely use it more if I could use it in the nice heated basement

- JC

 

[valley]

That makes sense! I was looking at that one on line. I think they are $80 smackers.

 

[mojoinco]

I had one of the HF welders (the one Valley mentioned, I believe). They really mean it when it says to have air moving through it when it is turned on -- oops. Worked okay for a $25 welder. I left mine to heat up while researching welding up holes my wife drilled in her brand spankin'h new water tank (told her they looked like husband holes to me -- she was drilling drain holes in her new horse trailer floor). Anyhow, you can use ldpe for hdpe and vice versa (#2 & #4 recycle symbols iirc). I ended up using a rubbing alcohol container (it was clean) and an old iron I keep for fixing dents in wood. Came out perfect. I found the info surfing the web ('plastic welding'). The tank manufacturer replied to an email for the tank material type.

 

[gerard]

Thanks guys for the info and feedback. Does anyone use a unit that has only a open tube tip? This welder has no paddles. The use of a spoon was mentioned in one post.
We have these heated water buckets in the barn, its only a mater of time when one will need repairing.

I've fixed some heated buckets. I just use a screwdriver as the paddle to mash the plastic together and smooth it out.

 

[J_J]

Here is a description for the use of the gray, green, and the white rods.

- Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices

 

[busydaddy]

there was an article in homa shop machinist about plastic welding. A router style control was used to lower the voltage of the tip. The writer also mde his own rods out of abs pipe by cutting it into square strips with a band saw.
It really did a nice job but some practise is a great idea first

 

[valley]

With all there is to do' I haven't tried it out yet. When I get to it I'll post what I find.