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The Shop => Composites & Plastics => Topic started by: angus on August 06, 2016, 04:57:09 AM

Title: repairing a peli case
Post by: angus on August 06, 2016, 04:57:09 AM
i have acquired a pelicase that has had a round hole drilled in it.... i believe they cases are made of polypropylene ? what can i glue a repair patch in with ??

have considered polyurethane adhesive an a patch held in with screws but wonder if there is anything better ...
Title: Re: repairing a peli case
Post by: mexican jon on August 06, 2016, 05:02:50 AM
Depending on the size of hole I would tap it and and screw a piece of threaded polypropylene rod in coated in super glue  :thumbup: How big is the hole  :scratch:
Title: Re: repairing a peli case
Post by: Joules on August 06, 2016, 05:09:06 AM
You can weld polypropylene with a soldering iron, add filler to make the weld proud then scrape it back and polish/sand to match finish.  Or wear the wound as a badge of honour on your Pelicase.
Title: Re: repairing a peli case
Post by: angus on August 06, 2016, 05:30:37 AM
2 holes maybe 30mm diameter....did wonder about tapping them and making a plug.

what kind of fool buys a waterproof expensive box then drills a hole in it for a pipe!!

Title: Re: repairing a peli case
Post by: angus on August 06, 2016, 05:32:24 AM
You can weld polypropylene with a soldering iron, add filler to make the weld proud then scrape it back and polish/sand to match finish.  Or wear the wound as a badge of honour on your Pelicase.


would need to find a suitable bit of polyprop first......
Title: Re: repairing a peli case
Post by: Joules on August 06, 2016, 06:40:39 AM
A 30mm hole in someones wheelie bin ???
Title: Re: repairing a peli case
Post by: Joules on August 06, 2016, 06:42:36 AM
2 holes maybe 30mm diameter....did wonder about tapping them and making a plug.

what kind of fool buys a waterproof expensive box then drills a hole in it for a pipe!!

To let the water out that came in through the first hole     :lol:
Title: Re: repairing a peli case
Post by: mcostello on August 06, 2016, 09:35:27 AM
Could find an electrical knock out plug of suitable size, maybe contrasting color. Don't know the "across the pond" name of these things.
Title: Re: repairing a peli case
Post by: DMIOM on August 06, 2016, 03:35:38 PM
.....what kind of fool buys a waterproof expensive box then drills a hole in it for a pipe!!

Might not have been a pipe - could have been a cable gland?  I have made lots of portable broadcast kit mounted in Peli cases, with round Canon-style and Bulgin Buccaneer connectors.

Dave
Title: Re: repairing a peli case
Post by: angus on August 07, 2016, 04:17:56 AM
no it was a sampler setup for a water system....
any old plastic box would have done :doh:
Title: Re: repairing a peli case
Post by: angus on August 11, 2016, 11:22:56 AM
my polypropylene sheet came in the post today- ebay at its best
have managed to weld up the 2 35mm holes, without making too much of a mess, and 5 smaller 6mm holes
also managed to scorch the end of my finger with the the hot air attachment on my gas soldering iron

the 5 smaller holes have cleaned up well, as i used part of the case to repair, so the colour is perfect
the larger holes the plastic is a different colour, but nothing a sticker wont hide!


 :nrocks:
Title: Re: repairing a peli case
Post by: ddmckee54 on August 11, 2016, 12:36:24 PM
That's the spirit, stickers and paint hide lots of sins! DAMHIK!

Follow these 5 simple steps and you'll never have any construction problems:
1 - Measure to 0.001 (Inch or mm, you choose, doesn't really matter.)
2 - Mark with chalk.
3 - Cut with an axe.
4 - Grind to fit.
5 - Paint to match - you're done.

Easy-Peasey,
Don
Title: Re: repairing a peli case
Post by: nrml on August 11, 2016, 05:03:49 PM
Can you please do a little write up on the process involved in welding the large holes if you can spare the time? It sounds like it would be very useful knowledge to have.
Title: Re: repairing a peli case
Post by: PK on August 11, 2016, 06:51:24 PM
Follow these 5 simple steps and you'll never have any construction problems:
1 - Measure to 0.001 (Inch or mm, you choose, doesn't really matter.)
2 - Mark with chalk.
3 - Cut with an axe.
4 - Grind to fit.
5 - Paint to match - you're done.

"A grinder and paint makes me the welder I aint!"
Title: Re: repairing a peli case
Post by: tom osselton on August 11, 2016, 07:03:28 PM
What kind of tip did you use? The one where the filler rod passes through it? I've been thinking about picking up a plastic welding tool.
Title: Re: repairing a peli case
Post by: angus on August 12, 2016, 11:38:26 AM
not sure as 2 holes makes me an expert!, i did learn more in filling the smaller 6mm holes
(initially left those alone, as if i had struggled with the larger holes the smaller holes were in a position where i could have tapped, and screwed on feet!)
with the 6mm holes i counter sunk both sides... filled the outer, and flattened it off with the blade of a knife before it cooled
then just did the back
i should have countersunk, or bevelled the edges of the larger holes more to give me room for filler

the gas iron is a weller, with just a hot air attachment... no hole to take filler... i just did the job similar to what you would gas weld, or braze... dipping the filler (cut off slice of the sheet ) in and melting it in

Title: Re: repairing a peli case
Post by: tom osselton on August 12, 2016, 02:54:41 PM
Ok I thought it may mave been one of this type.
Title: Re: repairing a peli case
Post by: angus on August 13, 2016, 07:58:35 AM
one of those... apparently for unsoldering