Plastic Welding and Testing Poulan HDPE Fuel Tank

[bertsmobile1]

What people forget is all thermo-plastics start off as a bag of pellets
They are just heated up then forced into the mould
If they get to the right temperature & ae clean they join to become a single item.
All that plastic welding does is mimmick the same process.
What I found out is most of the time I was getting them way way too hot.
Just right is when the surfaces turn glassy.
If you go much past they the plastic actually starts to burn ( well react with the air any way ).
With black t is hard to tell when you are going too far and the surface turns browny black.
Lke all of these things , practice is the key.
I have a really good working relationship with a JD dealer & he gave me a pile of busted up hoods to practice on.
When you are starting to burn them they start to give off the same smell as you get just before you burn a hole in your favourite shirt with the iron.

 

[upupandaway]

I am nearing my wits end trying to plastic weld a leaking black HDPE fuel tank on my Poulan 21inch self propelled model PR65Y21MA.

The parts diagram says it has a briggs motor and have this tank - https://www.repairclinic.com/PartDetail/Fuel-Tank/699374/1567987?model=747339
R
I don't know about you, but shops where i live leave at least 1 a week complete with this tank out back that i can get the tank off of.....
Getting a replacement tank for my 40 year old Stihl trimmer is another problem.....

 

[bertsmobile1]

Plastic welding is about as simple as you can get
The only real requirement is the parts HAVE TO BE CLEAN
Traditional metal welding melts the filling material into the parent material which is partially melted.
Plastic welding melts nothing and if you are melting then the tool is way too hot which is the No 2 mistake
The No 3 mistake is using the wrong filler like all the clueless clots on You tube advocating the use of cable ties ( PVC) for everything .
I have probably repaired 30 JD ride on fuel tanks and near the same number of trimer tanks.
The only one I could not do was the 2 stroke Briggs tank and that was because I just could not get it clean enough

 

[Scrubcadet10]

Milk Cartons are the way to go.

 

[slomo]

I use an adjustable temp soldering station. Get a tip that is round like the size of a dime. Set the temp around 600F. Adjust temp as necessary due to material thickness.

Put the iron on the tank. Watch the plastic slowly warm then turn glossy which is melting. Keep the tip moving at all times. Rock it left and right while pulling the tip downwards on your weld line. Keep that "initial glossy look" while pulling the iron.

Keep the heat as low as possible. Just enough to start a plastic flow. Let the iron/heat do all the work. Practice on something else first. You will get the hang of it. Trick is getting the temp just right.

slomo

 

[Scrubcadet10]

Huh, and do you know what we did next? I've searched for help in internet and it was really hard too find qulitative consulting. Thanks God, I've found such specialists. You must know that not also skills but the welder itself plays a big role in your work. At most sites instruments are overpriced, you literally have to break a bank to afford a new high quality welder. Fortunately, i came across the cool guys who helped me to choose a welder that has become my favorite since I've started to learn welding. that is a Hobart Handler 140. That is a BEST WELDER EVER! Fortunately, i came across the cool guys who helped me to choose a welder that has become my favorite since I've started to learn welding. that is a Hobart Handler 140. That is a BEST WELDER EVER!

How much you getting paid?

 

[bertsmobile1]

Web bots don't get paid
They work for the excitement .

 

[nicoleq]

hi, a newbie from Australia!

 

[nicoleq]

I remember there was a similar problem. And do you know how I solved it ? He called his cousin. He's always been so proud that he understands welding and all that. And what do you think ? He only made it worse, I'm serious. I don't call for help anymore.

 

[bertsmobile1]

I remember there was a similar problem. And do you know how I solved it ? He called his cousin. He's always been so proud that he understands welding and all that. And what do you think ? He only made it worse, I'm serious. I don't call for help anymore.

Another web bot