What kind of plastic is the black part of the Truck made from?

Started by racevws, November 16, 2012, 07:23:00 PM

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racevws

I dropped mine today, and broke it.  I would much rather try repairing it than buying a new one. Does anyone know what type of plastic is used so that I can use the right type of cement?  (EI which solvent based cement to use?)

Thanks, and glad to be a part of the forum (Its my first post!)


jward

don't try to repair it. replace it. trucks are under alot of stress, so unless you can find a glue that will take those stresses you'll be frustrated trying to repair it. save yourself the aggravation and just buy another one.
Jeffery S Ward Sr
Pittsburgh, PA


richg

Quote from: jward on November 16, 2012, 08:25:57 PM
don't try to repair it. replace it. trucks are under alot of stress, so unless you can find a glue that will take those stresses you'll be frustrated trying to repair it. save yourself the aggravation and just buy another one.

Very good point, and don't drop the next one. Good chance the truck is Delrin.

Rich

jward

you might be in luck then. it depends on which part broke. if ti is the sideframe, you can probably glue the parts back together as they don't get much stress. if it's the gearbox or gearbox cover you will need to replace.
Jeffery S Ward Sr
Pittsburgh, PA

richg

It would help a lot if you post a photo of what you have. Reduces the amount of guess work.

Rich

racevws

It looks like the gearbox is intact, So its would just be the one wheel it would be supporting.  Thanks all

Dan

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/racevws/8191573179/" title="IMG_9438 by racevws, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8337/8191573179_7fe1e569d9_b.jpg" width="1024" height="683" alt="IMG_9438"></a>


sd24b

most trucks are made of engineering plastics.  very few glues will work on them.  maybe try acc or epoxy.  you'll be better off just replacing the truck.  less frustrating also.             Phil

Doneldon

Dan-

The material you are hoping to glue is just about the most difficult stuff there is to glue. Add the necessity of removing
absolutely all of the lubricants on the pieces and the forces imposed by operating the locomotive and you have a hopeless
situation for gluing. I strongly urge you to replace the truck completely.

                                                                                                          -- D

racevws

Thanks everyone, I will just pony up and buy one I guess. I may try some sort of glue or something, but I don't think it will last.  Thanks for the feedback everyone.

richg

I have used a solder gun with a tip made for forming plastic. I have made my own shorter tender/loco tie bars by molding two Delrin pieces together but it took a delicate touch and I doubt you could do this with the part. No way to get both sides of the joint. I had to do some filing of the spliced tie bar to smooth it out. There use to be two different type tips sold for the Weller solder gun some years ago.

Rich

Nigel

Quote from: racevws on November 16, 2012, 11:20:46 PM

IMG_9438 by racevws, on Flickr

The broken part is acetal (aka Delrin®) - it is impossible to solvent bond, and heat welding is tenuous at best.
Nigel
N&W 1950 - 1955