repairing a peli case

[angus]

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 ...

[mexican jon]

Depending on the size of hole I would tap it and and screw a piece of threaded polypropylene rod in coated in super glue  How big is the hole 

[Joules]

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.

[angus]

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!!

[angus]

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......

[Joules]

A 30mm hole in someones wheelie bin ???

[Joules]

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     

[mcostello]

Could find an electrical knock out plug of suitable size, maybe contrasting color. Don't know the "across the pond" name of these things.

[DMIOM]

.....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

[angus]

no it was a sampler setup for a water system....
any old plastic box would have done

[angus]

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!


 

[ddmckee54]

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

[nrml]

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.

[PK]

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!"

[tom osselton]

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.

[angus]

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

[tom osselton]

Ok I thought it may mave been one of this type.

[angus]

one of those... apparently for unsoldering