Stihl tank housing...what kind of plastic?

[KMB]

I'll be fixing a small crack on the handle of a 044 tank housing. Does anybody know if the housing is made from polyethylene or polypropylene plastic? I have some 2-part epoxy here at the house and it says that it doesn't work on the plastics I just named.

Outside of JB weld, does anybody have any other suggestions for an epoxy for plastic repair? I don't think the crack is big enough to suggest plastic welding.

Kevin

 

[fishhuntcutwood]

I repaired a handle on an 044 with the idiot-proof two part plastic welder in the tube you buy at Wal-Mart. Mixes and applies just like epoxy. It held well.

 

[KMB]

I repaired a handle on an 044 with the idiot-proof two part plastic welder in the tube you buy at Wal-Mart. Mixes and applies just like epoxy. It held well.

Thanks Jeff. I'll have a look at it next time I'm town. The epoxy I mentioned is made by Loctite, called Quick Set Epoxy. Comes in 2 tubes that are joined together and a plunger to self mix.

Kevin

 

[fishhuntcutwood]

The stuff I've got comes in a black syringe, and mixes to a cream color the same way. It's like $4 at Wally World.

Just don't get a whiff of it....it'll knock you on your ass.

 

[ktm250rider]

There are some new adhesives that can be used to bond PE and PP. Such as this stuff.
http://www.stealth316.com/2-dp8005.htm

Another way is to hot weld or hot bond. Search the net for hot welding PE. Essentially, your melting the two surfaces back together.

 

[KMB]

Just don't get a whiff of it....it'll knock you on your ass.

I'll try to remember that if I use it. Hopefully my wife won't hear a thump and find me layin' out on my 'shop' (garden shed :blush floor.

Kevin

 

[Lakeside53]

The tank is made of PA66-GF a.k.a. - NYLON with Glass fiber.


JB weld works great... Don't use the 5 minute epoxy stuff...

And.. use a fine steel mesh as a scaffold - press it into the plastic in points with a hot soldering iron.

 

[KMB]

The tank is made of PA66-GF a.k.a. - NYLON with Glass fiber.


JB weld works great... Don't use the 5 minute epoxy stuff...

And.. use a fine steel mesh as a scaffold - press it into the plastic in points with a hot soldering iron.[/QUOTE

Thanks for the info Andy. Fine steel mesh can be had from where? Local hardware store?

Kevin

 

[Lakeside53]

The tank is made of PA66-GF a.k.a. - NYLON with Glass fiber.


JB weld works great... Don't use the 5 minute epoxy stuff...

And.. use a fine steel mesh as a scaffold - press it into the plastic in points with a hot soldering iron.[/QUOTE

Thanks for the info Andy. Fine steel mesh can be had from where? Local hardware store?

Kevin

yep... spark arrester type screen material....

 

[KMB]

yep... spark arrester type screen material....

I'm sure I can find that. So far, along with either JB weld or the stuff that Jeff suggested, I should be able to do a decent repair.

Kevin

 

[klickitatsacket]

here is a link for welding your plastic tank and fixing it permantly.
http://arboristsite.com/showthread.php?t=39210

 

[KMB]

here is a link for welding your plastic tank and fixing it permantly.
http://arboristsite.com/showthread.php?t=39210

Interesting and thanks for the info. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought you needed a special welder to do plastic welding...but you're using a soldering iron. Please forgive my ignorance.

Kevin

 

[Lakeside53]

True Plastic welding of Nylon is a bit?h... I have a real nice pro plastic welder, and I still use JB weld often. The scaffold idea using stainless filter screen realy does work well - you can cover a decent size hole or bridge a lot of broken pieces. JB on top, sand off and with a dab of paint, it's invisible and as strong or stronger then the orginal. A soldering iron is good for tacking things in place (I use it often for this this), but is of limited use in making a structural weld of any significant depth and strength.

My advise -practise, practise, practise... and try many ways it on an old tank or two.. I now keep all the old tanks I get from repaired saws, and as my techniques improve, I fix more an more of them. Just got my first 441 tank yesterday...

 

[KMB]

True Plastic welding of Nylon is a bit?h... I have a real nice pro plastic welder, and I still use JB weld often. The scaffold idea using stainless filter screen realy does work well - you can cover a decent size hole or bridge a lot of broken pieces. JB on top, sand off and with a dab of paint, it's invisible and as strong or stronger then the orginal. A soldering iron is good for tacking things in place (I use it often for this this), but is of limited use in making a structural weld of any significant depth and strength.

My advise -practise, practise, practise... and try many ways it on an old tank or two.. I now keep all the old tanks I get from repaired saws, and as my techniques improve, I fix more an more of them. Just got my first 441 tank yesterday...

Good info, thanks again. Gotta add a soldering iron to my growing list of tools since I've started my saw project.

Kevin

 

[huskydave]

If you want the best epoxy go down to your local hobby store and ask them. They sell epoxy to build Radio controlled boat hulls they are usually made of abs plastic. The hobby grade epoxy is the best I have ever had and it is designed to work with plastic. I have had good luck with the soldering method as well only I use a soldering gun it throws more heat.