plastic welders??

[oldtoys72]

How many of you own one? I would like to get one but just wouldn't use it enough to justify buying a 250.00 one, my question is; is anyone using one of the cheaper ones like around 70.00 dollars and having good luck with it?

[bobotech]

I got one from harbor frieght for 39 dollars. I haven't had time to try it.

[1985atc110]

I have access to one. We used it to fix a few cracks on my 85 atc110. Be aware that there are different "sticks" of plastic welding. Black, white, clear, etc, each with its own application. The clear worked best for me. If you get good at it, you can make some dough in the neighborhood, and it'll pay for itself. Practice makes perfect, works a lot like a hot glue gun, but you have to get the "float" method down. Also, try and prep the area with something like mineral spirits or just a good cleaner. Good Luck!

[oldtoys72]

All I want to do with it is repair all the cracked up honda fenders I have! I have new fenders for everything but like to use the cracked up ones to keep the good ones looking fresh! So are the cheaper ones any good or does a guy have to buy the expensive one?

[TheRealFatShady]

Can't you just use a soldering iron?

[oldtoys72]

I've done it with a sodering iron but don't really like the outcome, doesn't come out as clean looking and doesn't pennetrate deep enough so they as snap there again. The welder would bond it together much better than the soddering iron does, or at least that's what I'm hopeing for!

[harryredtrike]

idk, i would just buy new plastics.

[JustEnough]

I bought the pricier one from Harbor Freight and have had mixed results. I have heard that you need to use EXACTLY the same type of plastic for filler rod to get a good result so I have been using strips from broken fenders. One problem is that the plastic shrinks and distorts as it is heated, so it is hard to make a clean or cleanable repair. You also have to take it slow to avoid overheating the plastic, but you have to heat it up right to the verge of overheating to make the repair. The repaired section is nowhere near as strong as the original, from my experience. I may go back to stitching with colored zipties. I will try to post some pictures later.

Here is the one that I bought:
Plastic Welding Kit with Air Motor and Temperature Adjustment (http://www.harborfreight.com/plastic-welding-kit-with-air-motor-and-temperature-adjustment-96712.html)

I have heard that it can be used to remove paint, and I have hopes for better results there. I am hoping to remove spraybomb paint, but save original paint.