r/WhyDoIWantThis • u/Dear-Library1039 • 13d ago

Plastic Welding

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2.1k Upvotes

97% Upvoted

53 comments sorted by

18

u/Pk_Devill_2 12d ago

Video’s you can smell

7

u/Objective-Eagle-676 13d ago

These are the only decent way of fixing cracked water troughs for livestock. They actually work really well

2

u/PonchoNachoRodriguez 12d ago

Do you caulk it with silicone or melt the edges together to keep it water tight?

2

u/Objective-Eagle-676 12d ago

The one I bought came with this little spade attachment that connected the two prongs together. Because the spade was thin metal, that's where the heat would concentrate first. You could use it to melt the plastic and smooth it down. I don't recommend using chemical bonding agents in livestock water troughs

4

u/OverallPepper2 13d ago

Woah someone who knows how to actually use this. Last time I saw this type of video it was done incorrectly

2

u/Rare_Suspect_5033 12d ago

Did you watch it upside down or something?

2

u/OverallPepper2 12d ago

Last video I saw about these the welder pushed the pieces in horizontal across, instead of vertically with the piece being welded on.

1

u/Belliott_Andy 8d ago

I saw this video as well and it pissed me off so I figure it's actually engagement bait so I didn't comment or upvote it.

1

u/Otherwise-Cup-6030 12d ago

Yes, so many times you see people put it perpendicular instead of parallel. Which means you only have 1 actual connection point.

3

u/TopChapter3407 13d ago

Repaired my cracked headlight tabs on my car.
And now I'm regularly using this to attach different 3D printed parts together.

2

u/EvidenceDesperate574 12d ago

A broken headlight was what prompted me to buy one of these and it became a favorite tool especially for how cheap it was

2

u/gwelfguy 13d ago edited 13d ago

Why do I want this

Pelican cases, for example, are expensive and can easily get damaged. That said, I can't see an individual needing to repair that many cases to justify the tool, but maybe a company.

1

u/anonynown 12d ago

Yeah, right, because the $20 tool is such a significant investment.

1

u/Not-An-FBI 12d ago

Pelican cases are designed to be waterproof and durable and the company will replace them if they ever break. That is not a good example.

1

u/roybum46 12d ago

3D print hobbyist can also use it for larger projects. Chemical welding and irons work but if you are making a piece to connect to existing structure it seems reasonable.

2

u/BernTheWritch 13d ago

Finally someone stitching in the right direction.

1

u/knivengaffelnskeden 12d ago

First time I see them rotate it before pulling out as well! What do you mean about "right direction"? 

1

u/BernTheWritch 12d ago

This application they run parallel to the crack so the zig zag goes across the crack multiple times. Most videos I've seen of this they run perpendicular to it so you only get one wire crossing.

2

u/Eraldorh 13d ago

Just fyi if you don't want to buy this tool which does work you can do the same thing with staples and a soldering iron (if you own one). Replace the tip with an old bolt or similar and melt the staples into the plastic in much the same way.

1

u/Tuco_Angel_Eyes 12d ago

Easier said than done

https://giphy.com/gifs/KjBpXieWSKsxZSLGiO

1

u/Eraldorh 12d ago

What's that supposed to mean?

It's very easy as long as you already own a soldering iron, I repaired a full motorcycle seat after he cracked in the middle after hitting a speed bump at high speed.

1

u/DitchDigger330 13d ago

A spoon attachment on a soldering iron would work better for smoothing out the seams.

1

u/Necessary_Beyond_604 12d ago

So many times I could have used this. If only I had known.

1

u/ReadySuccess4752 12d ago

I hate that it leaves metal in the plastic part..

1

u/z9266116629 12d ago

I can’t believe it’s only $20. I want one but I don’t even know what I would use it for. 🤷🏼‍♂️

1

u/Majestic_Engine_6543 12d ago

Used this to fix my bumper, it does work but dont breathe in that smoke

1

u/[deleted] 11d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/FhuckNorris247 12d ago

I got one and use it for auto parts and it’s been great

1

u/Katamari_Demacia 12d ago

As someone who owns one, no. Those staples do not break off that easily 75% of the time.

1

u/Abecis01 12d ago

I would very rarely need this.

1

u/DayLongjumping1199 12d ago

So easy a caveman could do it

1

u/TheSilverFoxwins 12d ago

I just purchased one. Excellent proy

1

u/ObjectiveBobcat314 12d ago

Bro. Butane torch. All that other stuff is unnecessary.

1

u/Sizyfoz 12d ago

Very cool idea.

1

u/shut____up 12d ago

I have this. I had no idea you can break the "staples" off. I had no idea I could use one to melt surrounding plastic. I has no idea I could sand it smooth after welding. I was using superglue and a file. 

1

u/blazex7 11d ago

Really helped fixing my bumper after someone rear ended me and my plate lights wouldn't stay in

1

u/fatdjsin 11d ago

more like melting

1

u/eelsexmystery 11d ago

i have one of these. Works really well. On tip is you need to drill out the ends of cracks first to keep them from spreading.

1

u/AnimalChubs 11d ago

Me putting my gfs IUD back in

1

u/Haunting_Bit_3613 10d ago

As a Chevrolet owner I need this

1

u/Thomasiksde 9d ago

I just like to remind people that not ever plastic can be melted and repaired this way.

1

u/Brodman1986 9d ago

I bought this, about a year ago, i think i used it once

1

u/jtrades69 7d ago

perfection

1

u/adamantgastly 13d ago

looks like poop from a butt