plastic welding

[ygmir]

Hi all,
In furtherence of my new Hustler and it being brought into as good a condition as I can, I am looking into plastic welding the defects and damage to the body......HDPE......

I am wondering about anyones experience and suggestions as to welders?

I see two types: direct heat and, hot air (of which I usually have plenty).

Seems the hot air is much more expensive, but, may have advantages.

can anyone shed light on this subject for me?
Thanks,

[rdr]

Hi all,
In furtherence of my new Hustler and it being brought into as good a condition as I can, I am looking into plastic welding the defects and damage to the body......HDPE......

I am wondering about anyones experience and suggestions as to welders?

I see two types: direct heat and, hot air (of which I usually have plenty).

Seems the hot air is much more expensive, but, may have advantages.

can anyone shed light on this subject for me?
Thanks,

wish i could i belive the hot air will work better .

[JRP3]

This might work for you:
http://www.6x6world.com/forums/gener...dy-repair.html
In my limited experience with ABS plastic I've found the hot iron to be more effective than the hot air, at least it's easier.

[ygmir]

that article helped, thanks.
I'm still at a toss up, though..........I read articles saying each is better. the hot iron machine is certainly cheaper, but, I'd rather pay more and get the best. I'm sure it has many uses...........
So far, it's 1 to 1 ......

thanks

[REB181]

we used a soldering iron

Take a look at my pic gallery theres a folder on body repair... the repair is as strong as any other area... worked great... maybe a total time of 2 hours on it...the scar look to it is still there but I could heat it and flatten it just havent yet....hope it helps you....

[ygmir]

HI REB,
thanks, that's nice.
Is that just a regular soldering iron?
did you use any filler, or "rod", or, just melt what's there?
Is that HDPE the body is made of?
thanks

[REB181]

Yes a regular soldering iron and the filler was shaved off from other places like back of seat you have to do both sides ...start on one side and press the tip into the crack half way through melting the body and adding the filler as you go then same on other side smooth out the rough area with soldering iron to liking...it's really not hard to do at all.... oh yeh the body is HDPE.....

[tim1jr]

Hey fellow aatv owners. I found this kit for welding PE. It is suggested to use on 4 wheeler fenders which is PE(low density), our aatv's is high density PE. I called the company and explained what i was wanting to weld. They said this kit would work. They said you can use low density PE to repair HDPE, but not the other way around. They also sell HDPE rods for this welder as well. I bought one of these kits but haven't had a chance to use it yet.
: ATV Welder, Pro Model

[jerseybigfoot]

I repaired various holes and cuts on my first Hustler using the soldering Iron method. (It worked very well). I cut filler material from extra Hustler body from under the front seat and made welding rods. The original material worked better than what was supplied in the plastic welding kit. Just take your time and prep the area like a real weld. Vee out the crack and build up the weld.

[ygmir]

Tim1:
I'll look forward to hearing how that tool works.
I've been looking at that one, and, a hot air one.....
I see one's like yours on several websites, same tool, different name, different price.......
funny how places sell the same tool from one manufactorer and call it thier own......and price accordingly.
The price in the link you sent seems the lowest, so far....

thanks,

[techfx]

Hey fellow aatv owners. I found this kit for welding PE. It is suggested to use on 4 wheeler fenders which is PE(low density), our aatv's is high density PE. I called the company and explained what i was wanting to weld. They said this kit would work. They said you can use low density PE to repair HDPE, but not the other way around. They also sell HDPE rods for this welder as well. I bought one of these kits but haven't had a chance to use it yet.
: ATV Welder, Pro Model

Any results on using Low Density PE to repair HDPE? I just ordered some black rods (and a cheap welder) after finding cracks when I took off my old exhuast heat shield on the big max. The body was warped a bit as well. I talked to a guy at Urethane Supply who said the LDPE should work okay to repair the HDPE. Hope he's right. I also ordered some wire mesh to be on the safe side.

[MIArgo]

ygmir, Two or three years ago I got a small hole in the ice shanty sled that the tent folds up into. The hole was about 1/4 to 5/16 in diameter and was located on the right front lower corner radius where the side turns toward the bottom of the sled. the problem with a hole in the sled is it would eventually get bigger and when snow/ slush/or water enters through the hole it would cause everything in the bottom of the sled to get wet and freeze to the bottom of the sled. I have never welded anything before but the choice was as I saw it, either replace the sled ($200.00+), put up with the hole, buy a plastic welder, ($39.00 at Harbour Freight). I bought the welder. If I can't do the weld job I still have the hole - and buy a new sled - and I'm out $40.00 more, Its worth a try. I found a old piece of black plastic they use for edging in landscaping. I drilled a 3/8 hole in it. Plugged the Plastic hot-air welder in and welded that sucker, not a great job , not bad either, Now with the confidence I needed to do the sled and I knew what to expect, the hole in the sled filled in nicely. It has held up being towed behind my Argo and is still a solid weld. It wasn't really that hard either. I liked the job it did, a different color than the sled, but did the job. Maybe this helps, good luck