This is a good idea for welding plastics.

slomo

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Everything looks good other than the nylon black zip tie for a filler rod. I've used zip ties as a filler. Yes it works like in the video. As in metal welding, best to use the same material as a filler rod. I used black zip ties to fill in my Maruyama trimmer fuel tank seam. Still no leaks for 3 seasons now. I leave 2 stroke gas in her all year round.
 
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bertsmobile1

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Oils ain't oils & plastics ain't plastics
Some will weld to different types of plastic but most will not
Zip ties are PVC
Petrol tanks are HDPE
Some where on the tank will be a recycle mark
Down here it is a triangle with a number in it
That has to match with whatever you are using
Down here milk bottles are also HDPE so that is what I use
Heat with a hot air gun till both look glassy then apply the patch pressing down from one end to exclude air entrapment like you would applying a decal.
A polished stainless steel rod works well .
Old bearing polished shinny etc, etc
If the tank starts to slump stop, it is too hot
 
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slomo

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Thought zips were nylon. Or maybe the ones I bought for work were? Was looking for outdoor UV rated zips.

Think you meant HDPE, high dens poly ethylene. Simple typo.
 

bertsmobile1

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Thought zips were nylon. Or maybe the ones I bought for work were? Was looking for outdoor UV rated zips.

Think you meant HDPE, high dens poly ethylene. Simple typo.

Thanks
Yep I will go back & change it
You can identify most plastics with a burn test
When I first started to plastic weld I worked out the ones I had here were PVC
And getting back to PT original post

DO NOT USE PLAIN STEEL WOOL as it will rust
Use Stainless Steel wool which usually comes without soap
You can not wash the soap off a soap pad clean enough to use it for plastic reinforcement
In fact stainless steel filter mesh would be better still as it is clean and flat
 

PTmowerMech

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Everything looks good other than the nylon black zip tie for a filler rod. I've used zip ties as a filler. Yes it works like in the video. As in metal welding, best to use the same material as a filler rod. I used black zip ties to fill in my Maruyama trimmer fuel tank seam. Still no leaks for 3 seasons now. I leave 2 stroke gas in her all year round.

If I'm not sure, and I can, I'll just take some extra from another spot. Of if the tank is thick, i'll just melt off the top layer and and slide it over to where it's needed. Usually within 1/4 to 1/2 in away from the weld spot.

@bertsmobile1 has me looking for triangles on milk jugs and zip ties.
 

Forest#2

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Thanks for the Plastic welding info. Been doing plastic welding for awhile.
Have all sizes and kinds of electric soldering irons and tips.
Some are also propane heated.


I like the idea of using coax braid as a reinforcement. I have all type, sizes and kinds of coaxial cables so as to get the braid, copper, stainless steel, etc.
 

slomo

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Thanks for the Plastic welding info. Been doing plastic welding for awhile.
Have all sizes and kinds of electric soldering irons and tips.
Some are also propane heated.


I like the idea of using coax braid as a reinforcement. I have all type, sizes and kinds of coaxial cables so as to get the braid, copper, stainless steel, etc.
Agreed, thanks for the video.
 
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