Cutting plastic and adding

Yes it is nice to be able to put your projects INSIDE something isn't it? You know, to hold everything together so it doesn't flop around? Discuss the techniques here!

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grayfox126
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Cutting plastic and adding

Post by grayfox126 » Fri Nov 13, 2009 12:11 pm

I used a pretty thick ABS sheet when I formed this. It's .187, so what is the best tool I could use by hand to cut through? Also, my front and back covers don't match up as well as I thought they would. Would I be to use a plastic putty to build on to the form of the case?

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Triton
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Re: Cutting plastic and adding

Post by Triton » Sat Nov 14, 2009 6:05 pm

dremel is about the best too for the job as far as cutting.or if you cant use powertools for whatever reason an Xacto knife would probably also work but be harder and arguably more dangerous lol. And automotive spot putty (aka bondo) will work fine as a filler assuming its not a Large difference.

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collinE
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Re: Cutting plastic and adding

Post by collinE » Sun Nov 15, 2009 1:57 am

If you're planning on painting the case, you could use ABS cement/liquid ABS. Just layer it on and then sand it to where you want. Paint over it and no one will know.
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hailrazer
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Re: Cutting plastic and adding

Post by hailrazer » Sun Nov 15, 2009 7:16 am

collinE wrote:If you're planning on painting the case, you could use ABS cement/liquid ABS. Just layer it on and then sand it to where you want. Paint over it and no one will know.
No that won't work. When the Abs cement dries it will leave pinholes where the acetone dries out of the plastic. When you cand it and paint it you will have tons of tiny holes. Bondo spot putty works for very thin layers but can crack. It's better to layer on plastic bumper filler epoxy or something like Mighty Putty. Then sand and paint.
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collinE
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Re: Cutting plastic and adding

Post by collinE » Sun Nov 15, 2009 11:17 am

Well, true.

but for me, spray painting and sanding a few layers was enough to cover the little holes. or a very thin layer of ABS cement to fill the holes.

where do you get the bumper filler stuff you're always talking about?
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grayfox126
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Re: Cutting plastic and adding

Post by grayfox126 » Sun Nov 15, 2009 12:05 pm

Thanks for the response guys. I would also like to know where you get that bumper filler stuff, hailrazer.

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hailrazer
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Re: Cutting plastic and adding

Post by hailrazer » Sun Nov 15, 2009 12:35 pm

well here's what I use , but you can get cheaper stuff :

http://www.urethanesupply.com/mm5/merch ... ode=2020-T" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.urethanesupply.com/mm5/merch ... ode=2000-T" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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grayfox126
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Re: Cutting plastic and adding

Post by grayfox126 » Mon Nov 16, 2009 4:11 pm

Although, you said bondo can crack, at what point will it? At the drying stage? Or just by handling?

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hailrazer
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Re: Cutting plastic and adding

Post by hailrazer » Mon Nov 16, 2009 6:57 pm

grayfox126 wrote:Although, you said bondo can crack, at what point will it? At the drying stage? Or just by handling?
If it's to thick it wil crack while drying. If it's thin it might not crack, but if your case is flexible and you flex it or twist it, bondo usually will develop cracks.
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Re: Cutting plastic and adding

Post by nobble » Sat Nov 21, 2009 9:51 am

Is JB weld a good filler to use on portables?

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hailrazer
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Re: Cutting plastic and adding

Post by hailrazer » Sat Nov 21, 2009 10:04 am

nobble wrote:Is JB weld a good filler to use on portables?
Basically JbWeld is an epoxy but it does not bond well to plastic

From the JbWeld site:
Q: Is there anything that J-B Weld WON'T bond to?

A: J-B Weld will not adhere to, or bond well to:

* Any flexible rubber surface
* Leather
* Vinyl
* Canvass
* Polypropylene plastic
* Polyethylene plastic
I'm guessing ABS plastic is pretty much in the same boat.
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nobble
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Re: Cutting plastic and adding

Post by nobble » Sat Nov 21, 2009 10:25 am

hailrazer wrote: Basically JbWeld is an epoxy but it does not bond well to plastic

From the JbWeld site:
Q: Is there anything that J-B Weld WON'T bond to?

A: J-B Weld will not adhere to, or bond well to:

* Any flexible rubber surface
* Leather
* Vinyl
* Canvass
* Polypropylene plastic
* Polyethylene plastic
I'm guessing ABS plastic is pretty much in the same boat.
Thanks so bondo is my best bet?

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hailrazer
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Re: Cutting plastic and adding

Post by hailrazer » Sat Nov 21, 2009 10:38 am

nobble wrote:
Thanks so bondo is my best bet?
Bondo should only be used to fill very small pinhole spots or in thin coats.

Plastic bumper filler epoxy is the best for larger fills.
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Re: Cutting plastic and adding

Post by nobble » Sat Nov 21, 2009 10:40 am

[quote="hailrazer"

Bondo should only be used to fill very small pinhole spots or in thin coats.

Plastic bumper filler epoxy is the best for larger fills.[/quote]

Ok thanks so much! I shall go to my local carquest asap.

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