Plastic welders

[da prez]

  I am looking to buy a plastic welder. I do a lot of repairs on saddle bags and the weld method I use is a little slow. Any input on those who have and use then would be helpful.
  I looked online and everyone has the best one. It must be ABS capable.

                             da prez 

[Steel cowboy]

I use a solder gun with a made flat tip. If I need to add plastic I use a torch and melt a piece on to it. My son had a 636 and the fairing was cracked the day he bought it. After its was welded back (melted together) I used J/B weld as a filler on the low spots. Never cracked again, I belive Harbor freight has a kit for plastic repairs.

[signart]

Same here, used a variety of soldering guns, but wood burning tool is my fave to repair dirt bike & 4 wheeler plastic etc. I have even repaired a busted car battery case with them.

[Gavin_Sons]

I have used a soldering iron before. I broke the overflow nipple off the radiator of my old truck. Used the green weedeater line to melt and fill back in. Lasted 100k miles like that.

[MarkT]

I have the HF kit.  Used it a handful of times.  I think the key is matching the plastic type.  And using the right amount of heat.

[hoosier jaybird]

Interesting MarkT. Any tips as to what types plastic filler in different situations and the desired heat for each. 

[Leathel]

Yes matching the type is key.... You can get a beautiful looking weld and when it cools the weld rod can be pulled off as they didn't mix due to the wrong rod being used

The element went on mine so I just use a soldering iron and heat gun, heat gun to warm the plastic first to get a better joint, without pre heating the plastic it doesn't weld all the way through.

[MarkT]

Interesting MarkT. Any tips as to what types plastic filler in different situations and the desired heat for each. 

No tips - you need to determine the type and match the plastic filler to the part.  Might be, try to cut off a piece of the plastic where it won't show and use that. Heat - has to be pretty much liquified or you'll get a weak surface weld. Practice and experience are needed there.

[BigM]

Building with plastic will be much cheaper that steel prices. Now.