Solvent adhesives... why don't more people use them?

**galpd320** · 04-20-2005, 12:21 PM

Is there any way we can set up some sort of poll to see how many people have had their fiberglass installations crack, split, or fall apart due to heat/cold variations or vibration. Just curious because that seems to be my only option with a polypropylene dash panel to mold the screen into. That is the only thing I am waiting on to start work on my carputer install. (well, that and money

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**psychokids** · 04-23-2005, 12:45 AM

Hello,

I work at a hardware store, and at my work if a new employee doesn't know what ABS pipe is after like 2 weeks, they would be gone pretty quick. Someone said that the people at local Home Depot said they don't carry it, but I cant see that being possible. Unless somehow its against plumbing codes in your state (which would be rediculous because its the best thing for many applications), they have it.

Comes in 1.5, 2, 3, and 4 inch sizes, and almost always in 10 foot, straight black sticks. If a moron Home Depot employee brings you to a section of rolled black pipe, tell him to try again because thats underground poly pipe, not what you want. Also, even if they dont have the same brand of ABS cement (I think Oatley's was mentioned), I'm sure any other brand is going to be the same stuff. Just make sure you get the can that says just for ABS, not the PVC/ABS multipurpose stuff.

If you dont need too much, you could just buy a couple elbows and not have to worry about big sticks. Also, at least at my work, all the connectors are solid ABS while the 10-foot sticks are kinda bubbly on the inside to reduce weight and increase impact resistence, so it would probably be easier to get a larger volume of paste with fittings because they can be shattered easier and more of the volume is plastic than air. 1.5 or 2 inch elbows are the most popular type of fitting, so they probably have the best cost/weight ratio.

Someone asked about getting abs sheets, and a quick check at McMaster-Carr showed a ton of different sizes/thicknesses and maybe even colors. If its not on your favorites list, it should be, www.mcmaster.com . Thats all I can think of, except that *shameless plug* if you live near a Do It Best hardware store, give it a try if you dislike the way Home Depot people know pretty much nothing and how they are always understaffed. *end shameless plug*

Hope this helps,
-Chris

**fonseca** · 04-23-2005, 05:06 PM

Well, my Home Depot definitely does not carry any ABS pipe at all, or any ABS cement for that matter. They have PVC and steel pipes. After asking several employees, one finally said that the outdoor drainage pipe is ABS, and I bought a 4"x10' section, but I don't think it's ABS. So I'm headed to Lowes today to see what they have.

This is the pipe I'm talking about:

I'm anxious to try this out. I've used expensive commercial liquid plastic in the past, so this will be about 1/10th the cost and allow me to get the consistancy just like I want it. I'm very glad to have come across this thread.

I haven't decided what I'll use as a filler, only that I don't want to use any Bondo. Right now I'm leaning towards Duramix 40/58 plastic filler.

**Dudes99** · 04-25-2005, 08:42 AM

Fonseca, what part of VA are you from? Might be able to help you find some.

**fonseca** · 04-25-2005, 03:38 PM

I'm in Richmond, but I found a better solution than ABS pipe. I visited a junk yard and came away with more pieces of oem ABS than I'll ever need for just a few bucks. This is nice because I found some thick flat pieces, should be just as good as the 1/8" sheets from parts express and work great for recessing the screen slightly as per the DIY at the top of this forum. Only mine will be all plastic, excepting the epoxy to temporarily tack everything in place, which means (hopefully) no cracking or seperation after several hot summers and cold winters.

My bottle of homebrewed liquid plastic is already thickening up. I'll post some pics of how it went once I'm finished. I still don't have a filler in mind, I might just use a thin coat of bondo to fill the pinholes.

**sorensilk** · 04-25-2005, 04:10 PM

I don't know too much about sovent adhesives but does this seem to be the same type of deal? Or has anyone used it before?

**antimatter** · 04-25-2005, 04:47 PM

Originally Posted by sorensilk

I don't know too much about sovent adhesives but does this seem to be the same type of deal? Or has anyone used it before?

It isn't that expensive either. usually those things are friggen expensive

**dodge78** · 04-25-2005, 11:46 PM

ABS is used in RVs for the plumbing. I am making some cup holders for my car and found this RV place to be a good place to start with round things.

**dodge78** · 04-27-2005, 10:49 PM

one more source for abs would be body shops, alot of bumpers are abs and most likely get it for free.

**Man Ace** · 05-07-2005, 05:16 AM

I think I saw this stuff mentioned in this post but I couldn't find it...

Anyways.. i just tried this ABS Plastic Repair stuff. AND IT ROCKS!!

http://www.electricalconnection.com/...repair_kit.htm

It hardens and basically turns into ABS when it hardens. I bought two tubes and used it on my overhead dvd fabrication. you can see its progress by clicking this link: http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/show...681#post475681

I would HIGHLY recommend it to people who don't want to waste the time to find ABS to thier mixture. PLUS it is relatively cheap. It did me wonders and I thought I would pass along the info for anyone who doesn;t have time to mix their own ABS solution