Fix Broken Glasses with Heat Shrink Tubing, Tool Tip #21

[@Goody2shzToo]

Sir, you are a genius!!!! My husband can fix just about anything but after searching online ALL morning and half the afternoon, he couldn't find a fix for his Oakley prescription sunglasses broken arm. So I finally sat down and within 20 minutes I found your fix and now he is happy as a clam. Luckily his frame is matte black so the heat shrink tubing blends right in. We did do two layers, first 3/16ths then 5/16ths. Harbor Freight special. Came out fantastic! Thanks for sooooo much.

[@jimprongos3129]

Thanks for the great tip. Worked good on my wife's expensive glasses

[@akaCamo]

That is a great idea and looks like it works. Thank you for making the video and thanks to your wife for suggesting it. Cheers.

[@eddiedixon1356]

Brilliant. Thank you. I need something to repair my glasses until I get a new pair. Super appreciate your advice.

[@InterWebGuy99]

The right arm of my glasses fell off last night. First tried to use JB Weld to glue it together. It worked for about one day. Before it broke off again I used your method of heat shrink tubing and it immediately reinforced and stabilized the arm. I went ahead and used another piece of heat shrink tubing on the left arm. Now both arms are going to last until I'm ready to go back for a new pair. Thanks for this very easy, cheap and permanent repair. Great video!!

[@jsnow2007]

You almost seem indifferent but I know you care and sense that you have worthy content. You do, and we all have benefitted greatly from your channel. Thank you

[@michaelfreeman272]

Thanks for this. Optician had not idea how to apply a temporary repair. My first try failed because the stem of the glasses is very narrow. I had the correct diameter of tubing for the hinge. So the shrink did not grip the stem until I put over another length of the same tubing and presto, it worked that time 😄

[@markm1683]

Great fix. I have to wait 2 weeks for new glasses to come in. I tried using hot glue to fix my broken pair, but hot glue wouldn't hold. This fix worked the first time. Stays in place. Very sturdy.

[@henrikcsuri]

Thanks for the excellent idea! I don't know why this never crossed my mind before. Saved my $400 glasses! Mine broke in the middle of the arm. I epoxied the broken ends before sliding them into the heat shrink for extra strength.

[@hilljer52]

My wife has dental loupes & the eye frame broke. This tip literally saved us hundreds of dollars!

[@Phoenixbutterflygarden]

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!! My one year old broke my $300 glasses, and we're on a baby-budget where a new pair of glasses just isn't possible. You just saved our wallet!!!! THANK YOU!!!!

[@mars1952]

Kristin Traenkenschuh You are welcome. Thanks for watching. You can pay me back by sharing this video on facebook.

[@Phoenixbutterflygarden]

mars1952 Already did, ha!

[@fightthedead-twdfeartheliv2241]

Wanted to thank you.😆 The temple on my bifocals broke. I could slide the pieces together but super glue, mixable epoxy and bondo would hold an hour and fall apart again. I ordered multicolored shrink tubing after seeing your video from Amazon and I put one on my glasses last night. It's the same color as my glasses and melted to a snug fit in seconds. It's not even very noticeable. It's holding really well since yesterday and I was looking at it and thought if I put another tube over it, it should hold for a long time so I just did that. It's very strong and sturdy. I can't close it but that's ok. I just wanted something to hold it so, again, thanks much!

[@raynezzh1996]

Thanks. I didn't have money right now for a new pair. This worked for me.

[@WilkinsonX]

Nice video. For those with thicker framed glasses this repair may be more challenging. The hinge on my rayban wayfarer glasses is set forward really close to the lens. There’s very little symmetrical surface area along the hinge for the shrink tube to actually form a bond. Using two layers of shrink tube is what worked for me. I used one 1/4” tube cut 1.5” long for the first layer and one additional 3/8” tube cut 1” long to go over the first layer, reinforcing the hinge portion. The bond feels sturdy enough. I couldn’t remove the lenses easily, so I just wrapped them in a silicon rubber mat to protect them from the heat gun (you’d prob also be fine with an oven mit or even a piece of cardboard).

[@MrSquibman]

Omgosh, this worked so well. I was able to just use our home hair dryer too! Super excited to have my prescription glasses back.

[@msutamu1]

Fantastic. Saved my $500 pair of glasses!!

[@mars1952]

In this video I fix a broken temple on a pair of prescription glasses Using heat shrink tubing. The heat shrink tubing is stronger that tape or glue and is easy to remove without leaving a sticky residue.

[@UnicornKitty1]

mars1952 is it possible to fix with plastic frames? My hinge is completely off, the screw and everything is in tact. But the part that bends it snapped.

[@mars1952]

It is impossible to tell without seeing the glasses. You just need enough on the hinge side for the tubing to grip.

[@mr.sonnytruth8021]

Super old video... but how have I not seen this before looks like it works beautiful plus so simple, easy and cheap

[@rynorama]

This worked way better than I expected. I've tried the superglue, jb weld, etc. None of them worked as well as this did. Hopefully mine hold up, if they don't I'll simply add another layer. GREAT IDEA....THX

[@FreakzRitual]

I actually thought of this yesterday. Mine isn't broken the rubber wore off and thought to put heat shrink tubing over so it's more comfortable.. Guess I got to take a trip to harbor freight

[@DarkchaoMusic]

almost 10 years later and i am thanking you kind sir

[@sharky09000]

Cheers for sharing this cheap & simple method of fixing glasses ;)

[@bennykification]

You're the dad I never had

[@avacadovich]

why, what happened to him?????

[@leeamoses324]

Thank you so very much. I'm having to save up money for both my husband and I and my arm broke off at hing.makes the 3rd time. Would have never known this or how to do it if you had not done this video.

[@GateKommand]

What a brilliantly simple but effective idea! - keep the videos coming my friend!!

[@rosa7787]

Best idea ever. Now I not have to blind anymore. Thanks so much!

[@conradorico8174]

I also thought of this today my kid broke hers today but wasn't too sure if it would work so came to KZbin and found your video lol now I know it will work lol good thinking

[@buzzsah]

Now that is a helpful video. I have more broken shop glasses to fix.

[@PJ_Playz]

I think it is a weakness in the design. I was cleaning my glasses gently and mine broke in the same exact spot as that pair...same style. I used this Super Bonder we use at work to glue plastic to steel and copper...hoping it holds long enough ( at least a month ) until I can get a new pair. If not I will give this a try. Thank you!

[@unique7eleven]

great men I just broke mine and I did not want to pay another $400 ... Thank you!

[@henrikcsuri]

Thanks for the excellent idea! I don't know why this never crossed my mind before.

[@rosiebenites3528]

I'm so glad I found this video...I can finally fix my glasses!!!

[@CaraDuGray]

Hi Charlie. Thanks for this idea. :) Where would I be able to find heat shrink tubing?

[@jeffjlw]

My glasses just broke in the same place that you show in this video. I have a narrow piece of duct tape holding it together but will buy some shrink tubing to do it right. I assume that there is no way to replace that broken connector. Enjoyed your straight forward video and you come across as someone who knows what they are doing. Thanks

[@outerlimits7527]

Did you use 2to1 or 3to1 shrink tubing? Thank you

[@obrianthinline8514]

I broke both my glasses arms today. Then the idea of a heat shrink sleeve came to me. I checked utube and here is a great video. Thanks you sir! I have a suggestion and a question. I would suggest to put sleeves on both arms for symmetry and aesthetics. Question: are you able to fold the arms?

[@mars1952]

If you have to put tubing over the hinge it will no longer fold.

[@FreshMoozadell]

This works so well! Sincere thanks for your insight!

[@cookiemum1]

😂 technology always instructs somehow. Thank you.

[@AS-pg4mz]

It's a very useful video! I have a pair of sunglasses that I really like, but the end of the temple (the part your wear right on top of your ear) is loose, and it always catches my hair when I take off the glasses. The temple diameter is the same as the one in your video. What size of the heat shrink tubing would you recommend to use for this situation? Thanks!

[@mars1952]

+A Sun I do not know. You are going to have to take your best guess.

[@AS-pg4mz]

+mars1952 Thanks anyways. lol

[@theBADlieutenant]

Very good idea! Very helpful!

[@nirmalsampang]

which one is stronger the heat shrink tube or soldering iron? I'm not sure if heat shrink tube is available locally in my place.

[@mars1952]

Nirmal Rai solder is stronger but harder to apply. Heat shrink tubing is available at most hardware stores and online.

[@sandidoemel]

My glasses broke in the same place and my eye doctors did the same thing for me, but with clear tubing and never had a problem with them. I just wish I knew where they got the clear tubing and the size. They only put a piece 3/4 inch on mine.

[@TheRockinbem]

I'm glad I watched this. I have a 9 year old son that always breaks his glasses. And his frames were discontinued 😑

[@mars1952]

TheRockinbem You are welcome. Thanks for watching. You can pay me back by sharing this video on facebook.

[@MrPorter1979]

My son's both had a turn with my first pair of glasses. I used Krazy Glue and heat shrink tubing.

[@selenaunique7871]

Would this work on any glasses? Mine are more square and plastic

[@mars1952]

If there is enough left for the heat shrink tubing to grab on to it should work.

[@DavidBrown-wm1up]

Thank you for the helpful video, Handyman David Cross! ("Memory Card full???!!!")

[@24tv48]

I took my eyeglasses broken at the temple to an optometrist, he went in the back for about 10 minutes, came out with this exact same fix. That was in 2004.

[@stevenwaynegardner6187]

Charlie for president

[@terrymorgan6486]

They sell clear heat shrink

[@tailzzzzz]

Would you please tell me what 'size' heat shrink tubing you used?

[@mars1952]

C Anderson I am sorry I don't remember. I used one out of a $1.50 assortment from Harbor Freight.

[@yambo59]

For an even stronger repair use the MARINE heat shrink tubing with heat activated adhesive in it, stuff really works good - also sold at harbor freight, 42 pc kit for $5.99 comes in flat plastic boxes item# 67598. makes a very solid repair on anything its used on.

[@CreachterZ]

Thank you for sharing this.

[@spiffy4506]

I shared this on facebook. Thank you so much. Will try sense mine just broke.

[@rosemunn6918]

I would do this procedure on both sides in order to make the glasses look like they came with the different colors.

[@tailzzzzz]

What I mean by 'size', is did you use 3/8"? 1/4"? Thank you.

[@mars1952]

I still can't remember what size I used.and we don't have the glasses anymore to measure. Measure your glasses and get tubing that is slightly larger so that it is not too hard to put on but small enough to shrink snuggly.

[@tailzzzzz]

Thank you! I called Ace Hardware, and they said they carry it (hopefully in a size that will work). These are my beat-up 'yard' glasses that are broken (the arm), but I can still see pretty well up close with them and don't want to ruin either of my newer ones. My husband tried super glue on his glasses once when one arm broke, but he kept having to re-glue them. I'm hoping my hair dryer gets hot enough because I'm afraid to use a bic lighter. Lenses are polycarbonate. If my hair dryer isn't hot enough, can I go straight to a bic lighter, or must I use another piece of tubing? Thoughts? Thanks for posting this video. I'm sure your approach will give a way better hold than a super glue fix.

[@tailzzzzz]

It worked! I tried to measure the DIAMETER of the tubing I used. The size that worked for my (metal) glasses measured roughly 3/16", about 1 notch under 1/4". It came in a pack of heat shrink tubes ranging from 1/8" to 1/4". The 1/8" was way too small to cover the temple/hinge of my glasses. I had a pretty wide hinge to cover though. I used my hairdryer on high, burnt my husband's fingers (lol), but it seems really tight when I tug on the arm. The arm isn't 'stiff' like the arm that didn't break, but it feels comfortable, and I can now wear them in the yard. Thank you so much!

[@mars1952]

The hair dryer is probably not hot enough. Try it very close on high. If you use flame experiment on a piece of tubing until you get the hang of it before you do your glasses. If the hair dryer does not work you can use flame on the same piece.

[@ViolinStimme]

So far so good! Thanks!

[@anhtuanvidi]

simmple, cheap, method saving hundreds dolars, thanks you very much

[@jonbonaxl233]

"My wife broke her glasses" and he's like🙄

[@colleenlindsley6027]

Awesome.. ty for tutorials...

[@mhakus]

Great video . Thanks

[@Ann-ut6jv]

fantastic video! thank you :)

[@johnnyfincham2138]

hey, this is great, very helpful, thanks

[@electricboogie709]

Wonderful vid!!!

[@willemfeather2655]

What size is the tubing?

[@mars1952]

I don't know. Just measure your glasses and order that size tubing.

[@krissyhimes9357]

Thank you!!!

[@jaminn2030]

Thanks for sharing.

[@Blessed2SeeTomorrow]

thankyou so much

[@sandiepitman5635]

Why not Do both sides the same so they match.

[@mars1952]

good idea.

[@Ann-ut6jv]

my thoughts exactly! :)

[@fightthedead-twdfeartheliv2241]

Sandie Pitman That's a good idea.

[@rynorama]

This is what I did, then I came to read replys and see this. Perfect

[@favoritemustard3542]

Oops, I was hoping the break was in the middle...

[@paulwyleciol3459]

So thanks to your wife got smacked in the head we learned something good! I owe about 15 glases for 10 to 20 € each - this is the better solution for one who looses them all the time, 15 glases is quite right, so one comes up all the time swimming on the surface of my desaster here ;-). When one broke, I just broke off the other handle and hotglued it to the inside of my fullface-dust-protection-mask. This was really a change in life when working with a grinder aso. ...

[@BroomsCloset]

Why didn't I think of that?

[@Superman-xr1oh]

You won't be able to fold up your glasses anymore though...

[@noobnoob2588]

you said you used super glue lol . Should use epoxy Loctite or J&B wield brands. super glue sucks for every thing .

[@kevinwilks9403]

thanks!!!!

[@confusedx3847]

I wish I could do this but my glasses do not have that.

[@athena7042]

A worthy subject matter, but I got confused and impatient and stopped watching. Best to focus solely on what the viewers need to know.

[@TheSkyriders]

Wow. . good job on fixing the glasses but I'd have to say that she's gonna look pretty unfashionable wearing those out in public. . their not $650 glasses anymore! I assumed the "fix" would've been to restore them to at least LOOK like original condition. . .I mean I could've epoxied some popsicle sticks on either side if the arm too. . it would be strong and look just about as good as that awesome heat shrink tubing hack job. . thanks for the idea. . Maybe some paint to match the frame?

[@fightthedead-twdfeartheliv2241]

Ken Kovach You can buy tubing the same or similar color. It shrinks down to the shape of the arms and is hardly noticable. Super glue and epoxy doesn't hold long for wire rimmed glasses. This holds well.

[@kliokalopoulou3935]

bullshit! and all of this for not paying 5-8 $ ?!!!!

[@agregorewsky]

six minutes and four seconds to say this? are you kidding?

[@mars1952]

You should check out ADD.net. I have posted 30 sec versions of all of my videos there.

[@Gootsffrida]

So you are going to walk around with a pair of $600 glasses with a 7 cent duck tape job.

[@mars1952]

I used heat shrink tubing not duck tape. The new frames took a week to come. Did you expect her to stay home and wait for the new frames to come in? She needs her glasses to see and work.