plastic welding

[jonfromhamilton]

So i bought my spacecase for 160 after ringing a couple of welding places and getting estimates between 40 and 90 dollars.
At worst i would end up having paid 250 where a new case was 300.
I was expecting 50 cashies so = 210 total.
I dropped my case at "plaatic for industry" in dandenong and today they quoted me 130+gst to repair a 100mm cut.
Cunts! Their estimate of between 40 and 90 was crucial to my decision to buy the case and have it repaired.
So the moral of the story is plastic welding is way more expensive than you think.
The upshot is that i bought some polyethylene welding rods on ebay for $12 and im gonna spend $5 on a new soldering iron tip and grind it flat and do the job myself

[jono165]

That's pretty shit of them to up their quote.

I've successfully plastic 'welded' with a soldering iron before, cable ties can be used as filler material. It's never quite as strong as it was originally but you could always sikaflex on a patch over the back if you can get to it for added strength.

[jonfromhamilton]

Good point about the cable ties.
I watched a youtube tutorial using a plastic bag.
Ive ordered some polyethylene rod for 12 bucks.. the pelican site mentions its polyethylene but doesnt say anything about high density polyethylene.
I dont think it matters too much the cut isnt in a structural part of the case so i should be able to gaux engineer my way through it

[MartinG]

I have a plastic welder used for commercial vinyl floors if that helps

[jonfromhamilton]

Is it the air type marty?

[MartinG]

Yes it is the air type with adjustable temp
Leister triac

[jonfromhamilton]

Cool id love to give it a go. Probably get a better result and always good to add another feather to the cap.
Txt me and we can arrange a time for me to come grab it 0426287866