plastic welding

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arborworks1

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Anytips on welding plastic. I need to repair a windshield washer tank.

Can these tools be found at lowes, or a regular hardware store?
 
Just a good soldering iron, and try and use the same plastic for filler that the tank is made of. Like try and find an old washer tank and use pieces from it. Then you will have a tank to practice on.
 
Welding plastic is wicked easy, once you get the arc started. I like to use the .080 trimmer line in the MiG, myself, but some people tell me it's overkill, and that a little buzz box with drink stirrers as the filler rod will do just fine.
 
I have an auger with a plastic fuel tank that leaks. Ive been wondering how to fix it. I think an epoxy would be easiest, been wondering about JB Weld.
 
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I jumped the gun it was a cracked washer pump instead of the the tank. Couldn't see it till I got it off the truck.
 
I dunno. I was hoping to find something that would work with contact of gasoline. I really dont have many options, its a functioning auger, but leaks fuel. Ive contacted the manufacturer, and they no longer make the replacement tank for it as it is an older model. Ive also called about a dozen or so local distributors to see if maybe someone has one on sitting on a shelf somewhere collecting dust. No one does. I either fix the leaking tank, modify another tank to fit it, or throw out a perfectly good ice auger because the fuel tank leaks a bit.

So. Does anyone know of an epoxy that would hold up against gasoline?
 
Id be hard pressed to find the same plastic I think. I could maybe scrape some shavings from the tank and use those melted down?
Should my weld area be smooth or rough for best adherence?
 
Chances are good the tank is roto-molded polyethylene and heated to cross-link it. Parts made from cross-linked polymers lose strength when heated. They're harder to weld than regular molded plastic.

If you want something to stick to a cross-linked surface, you clean it and then flash heat it with a flame to un-link the surface molecules.
 
This is a timely thread, as I want to weld or glue a no-spill onto a piggy-back can. More on that in the mini-piggy thread.
 
ive found epoxy for fuel tanks at my local ace hardware store. you just gotta read the labels before you walk out
 
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