Identifying types of plastic

TilliamWe

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Dec 21, 2004
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How do you tell what type of plastic any certain "plastic" is? Specifically, I bought and broke a plastic sled on Saturday, and I would like to weld it, but I don't know what rod to use. Is there some sort of identifying mark on the sled somewhere? Thanks.
 

bigdee

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Jul 27, 2006
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Re: Identifying types of plastic

How do you tell what type of plastic any certain "plastic" is? Specifically, I bought and broke a plastic sled on Saturday, and I would like to weld it, but I don't know what rod to use. Is there some sort of identifying mark on the sled somewhere? Thanks.

More then likely it will be polyethylene or polypropylene
 

avenger79

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Re: Identifying types of plastic

doing a quick google search produced this, which will take you to a chart of markings on the plastics that identify them.

[DOC]
How do I identify different types of plastic
www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/upload/public/attachments/.../plasticid.docSimilar
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File Format: Microsoft Word - Quick View
Many items made out of plastic have a code or letters on to tell you what type of plastic they are. The most commonly recycled plastics are those used for bottles.
 

TilliamWe

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Re: Identifying types of plastic

Okay, thanks guys!

on a side note, how high up the baseball ladder did you climg, hungupthespikes? You live in Lorain, did you play for the Tribe? ;)
 

hungupthespikes

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Sep 25, 2009
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Re: Identifying types of plastic

No, not far at all, played a little then coached for 25 years when the kids started playing and continued after they were done.
Travel teams AAU, American Legion etc...
Took the name in honor of Bobby Cox, he said the spikes were part of the uniform and always wore spikes even as a coach.
How hard is it to make the Majors? The Indians have 17 farm teams feeding a 25 man roster.

huts
 

hungupthespikes

Master Chief Petty Officer
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Sep 25, 2009
Messages
814
Re: Identifying types of plastic

OK, here's a couple of links. The first is an iron welder manual with some help on identifying plastics.

The second is one of many how-to on Youtube.

http://www.northerntool.com/images/downloads/manuals/164740.pdf

Welding & Repairing Plastic Parts - YouTube

Bigdee is right, results will depend on type of plastic, material used to repair, and the method (iron vs heat gun).

I've only done plastic welding a few times and the heat gun style is tuff. Hit or miss on it.
The iron works great, even on a gas tank. :eek: Not on a boat, but would not hesitate to use it on a boat gas tank now. The weld is over 3 years old and no problems at all, very solid.
Hope this helps
huts
 
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