Fusing plastic

[Jig Man]

I just got a good looking craw mold.  The belly features are incredible.  I have made a laminate plate for it and want to do a 3 colored craw,  (back, belly, and claws).   I plan to shoot claws, then shoot bellies and remove their claws.  I'll put the original claws in with the belly and shoot the back.  I know the back will fuse to the claw but it is going to be weak where it doesn't attach to the arm part of the belly.

 

In your opinion, what is the best way to fuse this open spot?  Is there a glue that will work on plastisol and give a good bond?

Edited December 13, 2017 by Jig Man

[Driftwood]

I believe I read on here that cabelas has a glue for soft plastics.

[Anglinarcher]

Yes, there are super glue products designed for repairing soft plastics.  I have even done it with a torch in some cases, melting the surfaces just a touch and fusing while still sticky.  We all use to fuse our own creature baits back in the 80's.

I cannot quite follow Jig Man's directions, but it sounds like he has thought it through.  Let us know how it works.

[Apdriver]

I think spike it has a product exactly for this. Haven’t used it but understand you want this to dry before placing back into the mold what you have coated with it. Otherwise it will stick to your mold and give less than desirable results. 

https://www.ispikeit.com/product/691/bondcoat-4849

[Walking Dead]

Two ways that might work for you;

 

1. While in the mold hit them with a propane torch to melt them.

2.  Try a soldering iron with a flat blade or Point to fuse them.

[Jig Man]

Let me explain a bit more.  When the final version of the craw comes out of the mold the claw is fused to the back of the craw as it was in the mold when the back was injected.  However the belly was put into the mold and layed next to the claw so the belly part of the leg is not attached to the claw, only the back.  So far I haven't found any glue that I have on hand that will  cement them together.  I haven't fished them yet but I can't imagine the claw staying intact even for one fish the way it is.

This is such a small area that I don't thing I can fuse them with heat without hurting the already fused part.  The area that needs to be fused is about the size of a Q tip stick.    I am planning to go to Bass Pro tomorrow and see if they have any plastic glue. 

 

[mark poulson]

Try Mend It soft plastic glue:

http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Mend-It_Glue/descpage-MIG.html

[Jig Man]

Thanks Mark.  I'll try to find it locally.  I'm afraid that USPS won't ship it.  They wouldn't ship Franfort Arsenol drop out.  I had to have it Fedexed and that cost more than the spray.

[SpoonMinnow]

Didn't know that soft glues were sold. Good to know. This may take the place of my candle flame for fusing parts together to make hybrid designs. Thanks!

[SlowFISH]

2 hours ago, SpoonMinnow said:

Didn't know that soft glues were sold. Good to know. This may take the place of my candle flame for fusing parts together to make hybrid designs. Thanks!

 

I've used Mend-It... it works... but it's not really a "glue"... but more of a solvent that melts the ends of the plastic - allowing you to fuse it together... 

I mention this so you understand it won't "fill holes/gaps" like a white/wood/etc. glue.  You basically "wet" the areas you want to bond and press them together - which the solvent melts the bait surface then evaporates - leaving the plastic to fuse back together.  It's great on the boat to fix baits that have gotten nipped a bit or the ends of senkos.  But be aware you have to hold the parts together for a good 10-15 seconds (minimum) to have it work well... so it's great for repairs or one off creations to test - but not really great for doing ALOT of work or putting things together that are very small or hard to hold together.

  J.

 

[smallmouthaholic]

Mend-it contains MEK and will not hold small parts together- I 'm not aware of any plastisol glue that will do so

[SpoonMinnow]

Too bad, I just ordered a bottle.

[Jig Man]

Yep I bought a $14 bottle yesterday at Sportsman's Outlet.

[Frank]

You guys will be good it does hold Plastic together fine. Not sure what is in it but it works. You could also get pvc cement from a hardware store and it will work too it is a form of plastic just like irrigation pipes. 

[Jig Man]

Yep I used mine this morning.  It smelled like the stuff my plumber friend uses.  It worked like a charm.  I'll bet I could have gotten a gallon of his stuff for my $14.

Edited December 16, 2017 by Jig Man

[SpoonMinnow]

22 hours ago, Frank said:

You guys will be good it does hold Plastic together fine. Not sure what is in it but it works. You could also get pvc cement from a hardware store and it will work too it is a form of plastic just like irrigation pipes. 

Doesn't it harden?

[Frank]

No it does not. I use it to put on soft plastic eyes and they are just as pliable. 

[SpoonMinnow]

Tried Mend It and found it did okay but did smell a lot like PVC cement. I had some PVC cement primer laying around, tried it and found it bonded though the bond was weaker. 

Does PVC cement do the same thing as Mend It ? 

[Frank]

Yes it does do the same thing. Basically melts the plastic with chemicals and bonds it back together.  Once opened it will have a shelf life but it will take awhile to gel up. 

[SpoonMinnow]

Thanks for the info. Too bad small bottles of PVC cement aren't sold. 

[mark poulson]

1 hour ago, SpoonMinnow said:

Thanks for the info. Too bad small bottles of PVC cement aren't sold. 

A small bottle won't glue up many pipe joints, and that's what it's sold for, not welding soft plastics.

[rixon529]

On 12/20/2017 at 2:30 PM, SpoonMinnow said:

Thanks for the info. Too bad small bottles of PVC cement aren't sold. 

Four ounces for $4 - True Value hardware.

Not too big for not too much.

 

[SpoonMinnow]

Thanks! Soon as I finish the Mend It bottle, I get Gorilla.