Kubota8540

[Kubota8540]

Good afternoon all,

I'm pleased to become a participant (and newest member) in this forum. I'm not an expert welder but am gaining experience and really enjoy the time I spend working on projects. I have two MIG welders, one "stick" welder, an oxy/acetylene welder and a "plastic welder.

I've retired from the phone company after more than 30 years. I have a degree in Civil Engineering and do all my own work on our vehicles, house, tractors, fences and what'all.

I look forward to reading, learning and maybe even one day, helping someone in return for all I hope to be gaining from this group.

Regards,
Kubota8540

[SignWave]

tell me (us) about your plastic welder Kubota. I have a m/c fairing in need of some lovin and ive been thinking about adding a setup to the shop. Never hurts to increase your ability base.

Thanks in advance and welcome aboard!

[Kubota8540]

dHi Signwave,

The Plastic Welder is called a "ThermoPlastic Welder" and is made by Pamran Elec. Co in New Jersey. It welds ABS,PVC, PE,PP and TPUP. The inital cost for the starter kit is around $180.00.
I'ts essentially a heat gun with a smaller nozzle, filler feeder and whatever other accessories you desire. I installed a PVC fence around our pasture for the horses and used it to weld the joints on the gates I made. So far they've held up well.
After you "weld", you have to let it sit for 24 hours before putting maximum stress on the joint. If I use the word "vulcanizing" as it refers to rubber, this is doing the same thing only to the plastic.
Here is their website if you're interested: www.pamran.com/

Regards,
Kubota8540

[SignWave]

Thanks Kubota. Im gonna get me one of those! For some reason i thought they were more expensive than that. Musta been the guy at the motorcycle shop trying to protect his income...

[KBar]

That plastic welding does look interesting. The only trouble I see is keeping the base plastic and the rod at the right temperatures so you get an even melting process for a smooth finish. I imagine its a lot harder than they say on the web site, at least until you catch onto it.

Would be a good side to get into though, not many plastic welders around. Like I read in another post, we are getting into a throw away world and buying new. Right now the economy is slow, money is tight, repair the product at half the cost of a new one.

[Kubota8540]

Ken,
You're correct, it's not as easy as one might think. The base material has to actually draw the fill material into it. Keeping the base at the correct temperature without "puddling" is a challenge.
The "High Speed Tip" is a must if you do extensive joints as I did on the gates. It's also expensive for the little thing you get. I also noticed that the welder has increased 33% since I bought mine.
The only other thing to be careful of is to match the filler with the base. There are 5 types of filler rods to match the material being repaired.

****

[SignWave]

Ken,
You're correct, it's not as easy as one might think. The base material has to actually draw the fill material into it. Keeping the base at the correct temperature without "puddling" is a challenge.


****

Hmmm sounds a bit like working aluminum.

There is a distributor in vancouver called GE polymer shapes. Or ther used to be. I think they just sold out to some other comapny, but anyway, these guys carry all kinds of plastic shapes and sizes. lots of different grades and types of plastic too.

[storts]

dHi Signwave,

The Plastic Welder is called a "ThermoPlastic Welder" and is made by Pamran Elec. Co in New Jersey. It welds ABS,PVC, PE,PP and TPUP. The inital cost for the starter kit is around $180.00.
I'ts essentially a heat gun with a smaller nozzle, filler feeder and whatever other accessories you desire. I installed a PVC fence around our pasture for the horses and used it to weld the joints on the gates I made. So far they've held up well.
After you "weld", you have to let it sit for 24 hours before putting maximum stress on the joint. If I use the word "vulcanizing" as it refers to rubber, this is doing the same thing only to the plastic.
Here is their website if you're interested: www.pamran.com/

Regards,
Kubota8540

Wow, first ive seeen on here,Ive been welding Koraseal for 25+ years,,Its a flexable pvc,thats used in the chrome plating industrie,,Ive been using a Kam weld welder,same thing electric,and air,approx 4 pounds,I run a 950 degree heating element,,also have done alot of Poly pro,pvc,all for tanks,,,Nice to see another plastic welder,Jack

[HMW]

Thats cool never done that "plastic welding". Is there a way to tell which plastic your repairing besides getting info from manufactor? Any character or obvious differences in them

[fun4now]

good to have you with us.