Re: Case damage - which type of glue?

["Mark Cummings" <NOTfigjams@primus.com.au>]

"Glenn Jones" <rg.jones@rogers.com> wrote in message
news:%HOra.29367$M81.19117@news02.bloor.is.net.cable.rogers.com...
> I bought a Platinum IIe which was damaged slightly during shipping. What
> would be the recommended type of glue to repair the crack?

hi Glenn,

I have repaired an Applied Engineering Conserver which had a large oblong
hole drilled in it.

First I redrilled the hole larger using a step drill bit so that it was nice
and round and had a small lip. use a very slow drill speed, as if drilled by
hand.

then I fashioned a new circular piece to fit in the hole. this was made my
cutting up an old Mac case piece (that was broken)slightly larger than the
hole and glueing an ABS plastic rod to it using "Testors Cement for Plastic
Models". placing the rod in my drill (as a lathe) I used sandpaper and files
while the drill was spinning until the piece fitted in the hole cleanly. the
disc also had a lip fashioned into it to match the lip I drilled in the
case.

I then cut off the plastic ABS rod using a stanley blade and sanded out the
rough surface until it was flat. that was on the inside so not visible from
outside.

then very carefully applied a small amount of  "Testors Cement for Plastic
Models" to the rim of the hole using a skewer to spread it around and being
extremely careful not to get it on the outside surfaces. before it dries
place the new disk in the hole and put masking tape on it to hold in place
until it dries. use a block and clamp to make sure it is flush on the
outside.

after it dries, remove the masking tape and then on the inside you may
carefully add a small amount more of "Testors Cement for Plastic Models", or
using a skewer to add a small drop of Acetone around the join as this will
disolve the plastic and as it dries it will heal the plastic together. this
will improve the strength of the join, but isn't absolutely necessary.

So you could use either "Testors Cement for Plastic Models" or Acetone to
repair the IIe case, however I stress that both of these WILL eat the
plastic (the ACETONE being more visious), so it is important that you
practice on something else first or an area that is not visible.

If it is a crack that needs re-joining and you can separate the parts using
some pressure, maybe getting a wedge in somewhere to hold it open, I would
do that and place a smear of ACETONE on one surfaces of the crack. then
carefully close the join and hold the parts steady until they dry, maybe 10
mins then leave overnight to cure.
best if you can practice this technique on something else of similar plastic
first as you can potentially make it worse if you get glue or Acetone on the
wrong surfaces.

BTW the "Testors Cement for Plastic Models" states that it is for ABS and
polystyrene plastics.

hope that helps,

Mark