Paging the plastic welders

I've got some mouldings that I need to plastic weld. I've also got some
mouldings that are knackered and I could use for filler rod. All made of the
same plastic - PP/EDPM.

The question is, what do I want to be using? Hot air gun with a nozzle?
Soldering iron?

Is filler rod special or is it just a conveniently packaged rod of the same
plastic?

 

I've had some success with plastic coathangers as feed material -
probably more luck than judgement, but if you're lucky both the broken
part and the plastic hanger will have the same code letters.
--
Dave
GS850x2 XS650 SE6a

"A scone and tea at half past three
Makes the day a little brighter
Keep your cakes and fancy tarts
And stick them up your shiter."

 

PP yes but EPDM? that's a rubber dude.

Hot air gun with a special nozzle attachment through which you feed
the filler rod.

Same material but shaped for ease of application

You can buy it from

http://www.amariplastics.com/amari/default.asp

 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Is that like a blow-up doll kind of thing?

 

God knows. There are rubbery parts on the rubbing strips, placed so as not
to allow hard plastic to contact with paintwork, but the arches seem to be
the same material right through.

Aha. I had a go this afternoon with a hot air gun and a nozzle made from an
old beer can, and filler rod made from another bit of moulding. It's worked,
although it's probably not anywhere near as strong as a weld done with the
proper kit, it's good enough.

 

I did once weld up a polythene beer keg that had cracked near a
flush-moulded handle using a Bernzomatic mapp gas torch and cut up
bits of polythene beer can caps as filler. Worked a treat but was a
slow job and looked a bit messy afterwards.

 

If you find yourself near Stansted airport anytime I can show you how
it's done with the right kit.

 

Not likely unless I end up sent down there at some point by work. Is there a
practical DIY method of blow moulding or vacuum forming BTW?

 

Petrol vapour, match.
--
Dave
GS850x2 XS650 SE6a

"A scone and tea at half past three
Makes the day a little brighter
Keep your cakes and fancy tarts
And stick them up your shiter."