Repairing smsll items

[Keitai]

I got a kwg massager where velcro doesn't hold. New velcro or hook?

Head phones where a small bit of plastic has snapped- araldite?

 

[Wayners]

You can buy velcro and cut to width and length off eBay and use fabric glue to stick. Then a few stitches so it never moves...

Anything plastic is very difficult to mend. Plastic can't be glued with any strength but you can buy a heater for wire and melt a joint.

 

[Koolpc]

You need a box of matches and one of these for them:

 

[robinbanks]

Anything plastic is very difficult to mend.

This is overly simplistic and objectively untrue; for example the PVC handle on my vacuum cleaner glued very well using solvent pipe cement

It massively depends on the plastic. Thermosets may respond well to glueing but which is the best glue will vary depending on the type of plastic. Thermosoftening plastic variants typically respond well to welding with a compatible material

There is no one thing called “plastic”, so no one answer fits all

Keitai for your Velcro I would replace it as suggested. For the headphones I’d probably brace the joint with a shaped metal plate, carefully screwed on with small screws, like what the hospital would do if you smashed a bone..
..but unless they’re audiophile grade, I’d probably just replace them as time wise a repair can rapidly outweigh the cost of a new pair

You need a box of matches and one of these for them:

View attachment 409610

Yes because inhaling burning plastic fumes is everyone’s idea of a fun Friday night. Consider the neighbours please, and take it for recycling instead

 

[Koolpc]

This is overly simplistic and objectively untrue; for example the PVC handle on my vacuum cleaner glued very well using solvent pipe cement

It massively depends on the plastic. Thermosets may respond well to glueing but which is the best glue will vary depending on the type of plastic. Thermosoftening plastic variants typically respond well to welding with a compatible material

There is no one thing called “plastic”, so no one answer fits all

Keitai for your Velcro I would replace it as suggested. For the headphones I’d probably brace the joint with a shaped metal plate, carefully screwed on with small screws, like what the hospital would do if you smashed a bone..
..but unless they’re audiophile grade, I’d probably just replace them as time wise a repair can rapidly outweigh the cost of a new pair


Yes because inhaling burning plastic fumes is everyone’s idea of a fun Friday night. Consider the neighbours please, and take it for recycling instead

Woof!

 

[mattylad]

I second the use of solvent glue, it melts the plastic and forms a strong bond (according to the blurb).
It's in my 3D printing plastic glue box for occasional use.
You can but try

 

[robinbanks]

Wish people would stop talking about plastic like it’s just one thing

Examples of plastics that solvent weld works well on: PVC, ABS
Examples of plastics that solvent weld does not work on: HDPE, LDPE, PP, PTFE, POM, PA, PC, PET, PBT, TPE, TPU

If you want to assess whether it will work for you, dab a small amount onto the work item somewhere inconspicuous, wait 30s to a minute then gently scratch at the area with a sharp implement. If the glue comes away contaminated with the colour of the plastic then it has successfully dissolved the surface and will work. If it just comes off again the same colour it went on, you need something else
Do a test first; loading up a joint with glue that just won’t work contaminates the joint making it harder to use a glue that will work

 

[Wayners]

@robinbanks
I'm neutral to your advice.
I've tried everything from plastic hard glue to 2 part resin glue.
Even 2 pack resin and fiberglass. The best was baking soda and super glue once on a vacuum fitting but took effort sanding back.
Like your said. There are so many plastics and so far in my attempts over 50 years I've only been able to glue plastic models and waste pipe, although I did fix vacuum with baking soda and super glue.
I don't even attempt gluing plastic now.

 

[Keitai]

You can buy velcro and cut to width and length off eBay and use fabric glue to stick. Then a few stitches so it never moves...

Anything plastic is very difficult to mend. Plastic can't be glued with any strength but you can buy a heater for wire and melt a joint.

Ordered this-

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Anything plastic is very difficult to mend. Plastic can't be glued with any strength but you can buy a heater for wire and melt a joint.

Oh, I have just bought one! For years, I have repaired such hard plastic items, by the use of a hot soldering iron, and office staples. Struggling to get the hot iron, to heat the staples up enough to sink into the plastic - The gun, makes it so much easier, by passing a high current/low voltage through ready-made staples.

 

[JohnD]

You can repair thermoplastics fairly easily, welding, using a spoon-like or flat tip on a soldering iron.

I have repaired PE and PP

You can use small scraps of the same plastic if you have anything handy, or buy thin rods made for the purpose at modest price.