Phil Posted February 12, 2006 Author Posted February 12, 2006 The welder shown in your link is okay for repairs (ie 1-6" inches) you use it similar to using a torch set up for welding metal. Pre-heating the material and rod manually as you press the rod into the joint. Any decent auto-body shop has one. The difference between this and what I used is the same as between a MIG or TIG welder & stick & torch method (huge diff.) http://www.laramyplasticwelders.com/torchpage.html The 30-10 is the one I used: With a speed tip which feeds as you go (36" rods) & makes doing continuous long welds very easy. You have to be careful as overheating will cause material deformation, the same as in thin metal. I worked both sides of the boat simultaneously stopping 1/2 way thru each rod. Forming is a little tricky I tried 90 deg. bends but the 1/4" material is to thk. You now HDPE is what most formed products are made of (ie..roto-moulding kayaks, rod holders you name it...) in a spinning autoclave setup using pellets of what ever material the part requires. There is also vaccum-forming. all-in-all edit to add: order the book for $5 it's worth it just for the low down! The recycle symbol on all plastic products is the stamp mentioned (the one with a 2 is HDPE) ou could weld your plastic coffee can to your boat 8) Quote
Stump Posted February 12, 2006 Posted February 12, 2006 Neat. 8) sort of a cross between stitch and glue and metal fabrication. Except lighter... :roll: Quote
Phil Posted February 12, 2006 Author Posted February 12, 2006 Yea Stump exactly. I considered using the stitching technique, but didn't want all the holes. Instead I built sunnyside-up with no forms or jigs. Just tack welded +/- 12"'s oc. with a tacking tip (no welding rod) Oyster what does FWIW mean? :oops: Quote
Barry Pyeatt Posted February 12, 2006 Posted February 12, 2006 I think he means For What It's Worth! Quote
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