Plastic welding with a soldering iron

[Anonymous]

I heard that it was possible to do your own plastic welding with a soldering iron and it turns out it's true! I went out and bought a 50 Cent ABS pipe fitting for donor material and fixed a cracked side cover. The first thing I did was burn troughs into the side cover along the cracks so I'd have a place to fill it and then I wiped the grooves over with extra ABS. This was using a 60 W soldering iron.

Steve

[Anonymous]

wow 8O thanks Steve

[Paul]

Be careful. VERY careful.
Some plastics emit highly toxic gases when you melt them, and when I say toxic I mean really bad.
I have done repairs with a soldering iron on plastic parts, but soon stopped when it was explained just how dangerous it can be.
Many plastics emit cyanide gas when melted - you do NOT want to breathe that in!
Trouble is, unless you're a plastic expert or know the exact sort/grade of plastic, you don't know if it is toxic or not. Until it's too late.

[Anonymous]

plastic vapour

It isn't a bad idea to do it outside, if you can. Those melted plastic fumes are nasty!

Mike

[Anonymous]

I learned to use a soldering iron to plastic welding on computer repairs. Works very well.