For all those that want a cheaper alternative to commercially plastic welders, here is a couple of things that can be done to make your own.
Most people already have just about everything you need if you have a propane torch or a 80W soldering iron to weld plastic.
With an 80W soldering Iron, place a carriage bolt where the tip was and melt away, use the same type of plastic as you started with to provide the bond. I do this on canoes all the time and it has worked flawlessly.
With a propane torch, get a 4" piece of 3/8" tubing, a 3/8 pipe to 1/4" flared fitting, small hose clamp (1/2" diameter clamping range) and 4" of 1/4" brake line from any auto supplier. Take the 3/8" pipe and grind or cut a notch on each side (opposite each other) for a length of 2-1/2" to 3", then assemble the brake line to the steel pipe (after cooling). Place notched end over the torch tip (before lighting) and clamp into place.
Weld away! Both work as well as commercially available units and can be made for much less.
HTH Will follow up with photos of the propane unit later this weekend.
Most people already have just about everything you need if you have a propane torch or a 80W soldering iron to weld plastic.
With an 80W soldering Iron, place a carriage bolt where the tip was and melt away, use the same type of plastic as you started with to provide the bond. I do this on canoes all the time and it has worked flawlessly.
With a propane torch, get a 4" piece of 3/8" tubing, a 3/8 pipe to 1/4" flared fitting, small hose clamp (1/2" diameter clamping range) and 4" of 1/4" brake line from any auto supplier. Take the 3/8" pipe and grind or cut a notch on each side (opposite each other) for a length of 2-1/2" to 3", then assemble the brake line to the steel pipe (after cooling). Place notched end over the torch tip (before lighting) and clamp into place.
Weld away! Both work as well as commercially available units and can be made for much less.
HTH Will follow up with photos of the propane unit later this weekend.
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