Plastic welding a Briggs and Stratton gas tank

[@disappointedguy]

Finally someone that welds stuff with the correct type of plastic! Im sick of people using zip ties as 'universal' plastic just because.

[@fromthebackofmymind]

Most Zip ties are nylon. These tanks are HDPE. Two different types.

[@qiksoft]

Thanks for taking time to share your knowledge! Got a hard-to-find toro tank that needs a repair and now see it ain't that hard to repair!

[@smalltownmachineshop6860]

It’s really not that hard at all

[@trwolfe1]

Best video for this purpose I've found. Thanks!

[@fromthebackofmymind]

I'm buying one of those Irons! Thanks for the tutorial!

[@user-lz2bn6eo1j]

A long time ago I needed a radiator tank sealed, plastic. I took a screwdriver and made the crack a little wider and deeper. I used an epoxy on the seam then let that cure a bit then slightly wider with fiberglass, then a little wider with more fiberglass. Worked until I could get a new radiator. Kept the repaired one in for about a year didn't want to push my luck much longer.

[@smalltownmachineshop6860]

Nice, lots of ways to fix plastic tanks for sure

[@eridulife]

I have a generator with plastic tank that has a crack. The replacement part is very expensive, so I will do something like you did. Thank you for sharing it.

[@smalltownmachineshop6860]

Hopefully you find it useful and are able to get your tank fixed

[@davewright6154]

I like this thing.I rebuilt an easy load weedeater head. The bump cap had wore through. I built the surface up about 1/4".

[@charritolopez8223]

i fixed my poulan pro 300 ex riding mower gas tank after repeatedly replacing the fuel grommet constantly and not lasting very long i decided to fill up the hole where the grommet goes with these strips from harbor freight after filling the hole i drilled up to the size of the fuel nipple after inserting the nipple i alligned everything up as to how the fuel line routes to the carburetor after that i gave it another pass around the nipple just in case it might leak well for my surprise its still holding up and its going to be almost a year now by the way awesome video

[@smalltownmachineshop6860]

Thanks and That’s awesome that you were able to fix your tank, it’s a handy tool to have

[@richardkatzman2066]

You can use Steel Wool as a way to strengthen the repair. Heat the area around the whole and press in the steel wool and then cover it with the plastic. Works great!

[@smalltownmachineshop6860]

Yup that will work for sure, I use fine metal screening as well sometimes

[@thepoopsoup]

Window screen works well all so.

[@f296877]

Fixed my poulan pro tank. Thanks!

[@smalltownmachineshop6860]

I’m glad you found the video useful and good job on your repair

[@philliphall5198]

I’ve had fairly good luck and results so far, but I have learned it’s best to use other fuel tank for adding material 😊😊😊

[@smalltownmachineshop6860]

I use that a lot as well, I have a few old tanks that I have cut into strips and square patches ready to use

[@fromthebackofmymind]

I bought this Iron. My leaky tank is on the mold parting line seam. Took a lot of tries to stop creeping gaps along the seam. Annoying pin hole drips. But yeah better than finding any used tank that is 30 years old.

[@mezmerizer0266]

To get rid of the shininess, and add texture hit it with a scaler at low speed.

[@smalltownmachineshop6860]

Yes for sure

[@dhawkbird]

A black zip tie works good for a filler rod.

[@smalltownmachineshop6860]

Yes they do

[@philliphall5198]

I agree and I keep all the ends when I cut them off 😊😊😊

[@stevehoch9528]

I bought this same tool to try and fix a gas tank from an old snapper lawnmower that isn't available anymore. The tool works great but it turns out that in addition to the leak I knew about it's also leaking from the seam. I've already made a few attempts to seal it but haven't succeeded yet. I'm going to keep trying, don't have anything to lose at this point. I'll either seal the tank or throw the lawnmower away. Wish me luck!

[@kenneyk5260]

Love your videos. Keep up the great work!

[@smalltownmachineshop6860]

Thank you very much for checking them out

[@artderamo8053]

What kind of plastic did you use? Vinyl? Great video, thanks

[@fromthebackofmymind]

"HDPE". It's molded right on the tank in English letters.

[@fromthebackofmymind]

Food cannisters can be cut up into strips. Black, Blue, Red, etc.

[@serega4087]

I buy cars from auctions 15 years and always repair it this way, windshield fluid reservoirs and headlights

[@sunnysacto]

Heat press steel wool into crack works great

[@smalltownmachineshop6860]

That’s a good idea

[@sunnysacto]

@@smalltownmachineshop6860 Thin Steel wool heats up fast, sinking into plastic for tight seal. We have to be careful not over heat that makes plastic brittle. Steel wool resolves brittle issue for long term repair.

[@originalfallinggirl]

Do you think this would work to fix the diaphragm on my dialysis pump? I think it’s plastic and im having to rent a loner at the moment. The dealer wants $130 for a replacement diaphragm. I ain’t paying that much money if I can fix it myself. I’m assuming that if a plastic weld can prevent gas from leaking it can prevent air from leaking too. I was going to try JB Weld but my doctor said that if the epoxy develops pinholes that lead to any pressure loss in the vacuum I’d die. I think I should definitely weld the crack in my diaphragm and not risk using the JB Weld. I’ve got an old soldering iron here and it should do the trick. Great video - you’re literally a life saver ❤

[@TimothyBrewer]

I got my DR Trimmer (tow behind) into my barbed wire fenced cracked the fuel tank. The damage looks almost identical to the repair you did here. I watched you and "Steve's Small Engine Saloon" and you both did the repair almost identical. I'm gonna give it a try. Thanks for the video. Also, where do you get the filler plastic?

[@smalltownmachineshop6860]

If you get the kit from harbor freight it comes with a bunch of the filler rods and they are actually very good for a lot of different plastics

[@TimothyBrewer]

@@smalltownmachineshop6860 Thanks for the response. There is a Harbor freight not far from my house. I'll get that and give it a try

[@smalltownmachineshop6860]

@@TimothyBrewer awesome, it’s really not all that hard and you will learn quickly I’m sure

[@tinkerscorner54]

Aside from the filler rods that come with the Plastic Welder, I've used DVD boxes for repairing the air filter housing on a neighbors Toyota Tacoma. It took almost the whole box for that repair, but it sealed up really nice and didn't look too bad when finished. You can use those little recycle emblems (triangles) as sort of a guide for which plastic will work with what you are working on.

[@user-lz2bn6eo1j]

If using pieces of old tanks are they still usable if brittle because of uv effects. Once heated and melted I could see it being usable but also maybe no

[@smalltownmachineshop6860]

The times iv used brittle plastic before it was a little thicker and I had no problems with it, it melted fine. When used on a non pressure vessel like a vented gas tank you have a lot more freedom of material to work with

[@inhisnameislay3401]

Awesome video you got my subscription

[@artderamo8053]

I got a drill hole in my tank, can I use a plastic dowl, and press it in then weld it?

[@jeffreyanderson539]

You could use an inline switch on the power cord

[@shanemungal262]

You can sand that , to make it even more smooth .

[@smalltownmachineshop6860]

That is very true

[@jpeknowbody3649]

The trick is not to use filler sticks but a piece of the exact type of tank.

[@smalltownmachineshop6860]

On older tanks like this that can tend to be more brittle I like to use the filler as just mending it back can leave thinner spots and this tank was very thin, but there are many ways to do it, thanks for watching

[@jpeknowbody3649]

@@smalltownmachineshop6860,I should of said to use the exact plastic if filler is needed, sorry if I came off rude,your channel rocks!!

[@smalltownmachineshop6860]

@@jpeknowbody3649 no worries, and you are right there as well, I have strips I have cut from old gas tanks that I use as well

[@marksternberg9217]

I haven't had much luck sealing up a gas tank with these plastic welders. It works for a while but starts leaking later. I came up with another way that has been fail safe. Sand the area with a real rough paper. Then take some masking tape and build a little damn all around it by only sticking half the tape and turn it up so you can create a place to hold a liquid. Then take a 2 part epoxy and put in enough to make it 1/8 inch or deeper. Wait until the next day pull the tape off and your ready to go. I have 2 tanks I have repaired this way over 3 years ago. They are still holding.

[@smalltownmachineshop6860]

Epoxy is also a way to go for sure, and the this tanks can be hard to keep sealed with plastic welding, I usually do a two layer repair on them and there fine

[@michaelm6091]

Great video, thank you for sharing. I have a fuel tank very similar to this one. Its on a chipper/shredder. It has been sitting in a barn around 20 years. I have everything else on it repaired, but on the first day using it, the fuel tank began to leak around the seam in the middle of the tank all around the tank. What are your thoughts on this? Can it be welded and if so, I noticed there are a lot of choices for plastic welding rods. How would you choose the correct one for this type tank? Thank you in advance for your thoughs.

[@smalltownmachineshop6860]

Yes welding the seam is fine, iv done it before, of course make sure there are no gas fumes or anything in it, iv used the ones that come with the harbor freight kit on many repairs and have never had issues, iv also used plastic strips cut from old gas tanks and have even used the plastic lid from a Folgers coffee can on super thin stuff. The main thing is getting the two plastics to melting temp and fuse them, for unpressurized vessels like a mower gas tank you can get away with using just about anything but the rods from the kit are actually very good

[@ProfessionalDad]

arent there different kinds of plastic rods?

[@michaeldsouza6778]

Looks pretty 🤩

[@smalltownmachineshop6860]

Thanks, came out ok I’d say

[@garyh7949]

What is the plastic rod and where do I get one?

[@smalltownmachineshop6860]

I use the stuff that comes in the harbor freight set and really like it. The set is cheap and comes with the iron and a bunch of filler plastic

[@arthurmann578]

Nice work! Subscribed! 👍👍

[@shopart1488]

Where do you get the filler rod??

[@smalltownmachineshop6860]

I buy the stuff that comes with the harbor freight kit, when you run out you can just buy another kit there very cheap

[@alex4695]

I have to do this on my car but theirs a little bit of gas I’m scared it will ignite if I work on it

[@smalltownmachineshop6860]

Never do anything that produces heat around flammable liquids, safety first

[@lukewahr3804]

Can I use zip ties on an hdpe tank?

[@smalltownmachineshop6860]

For small thin cracks yes, if your repairing a hose attachment spout or something similar that’s under stress I would use the flexible rod the kit comes with or strips of old plastic tanks

[@lukewahr3804]

Thanks

[@eleuteriodiaz3653]

I don’t think I will attempt this type of repair. He sounds exhausted by the time he finished.

[@stevo4649]

very skilful thankyou,,

[@smalltownmachineshop6860]

Thanks, it’s actually very easy to get good at it

[@zigwil153]

It's the only way to go. Epoxies won't stand up against fuel. Eventually they fail.

[@tandemwings4733]

You're kidding... right..!!!

[@jibrilmahamud]

How can I get it in Nigeria please

[@smalltownmachineshop6860]

I’m not sure, you might check harbor freights website and see if they ship there

[@grahamcovin]

I got one from eBay

[@user-qr2kt2oq7s]

Looks good to me.

[@LewisMowersandBoats]

Very cool 😎

[@walkingthruyourdata-6019]

got a hairline crack in my pool sand filter. It is under pressure, I have a new tank but I think I would like to try this as an experiment although it is a pressure vessel. Eh..It might hold. we'll see.

[@smalltownmachineshop6860]

In case like that I would give it a try, nothing to lose, Air pressure vessels are the main concern as they can build pretty good amounts of pressure. I would melt in some wire mesh a good bit around the repair to reinforce it and possibly do the inside as well if you can get to it and there is clearance for the repair

[@dmatech]

Sounds like you might benefit from adding a "hot stapler" to your toolbox. I say this because your video was suggested after I just saw one about those. This obviously is more for strength and probably wouldn't be useful on a gas tank. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mnjZlqiPrdytnZI

[@smalltownmachineshop6860]

I don’t have one of those tools yet but have been looking at them, on thicker stuff I have a ton of those brass staples from large cardboard boxes and I heat and bend those. I should probably pick up one

[@ronyerke9250]

There are switch boxes at home improvement stores with a plug after the switch and prongs before. About seven bucks last I knew.

[@kentuckytrapper780]

That plastic weld is alsome stuff, you could patch a condom with that setup, be sure to take it off first. Lol.

[@smalltownmachineshop6860]

Lol

[@xenomorphine13]

Heat things up in the bedroom

[@udinprt-cf7jt]

kasih lem bakar aja

[@Smiler7]

Is there a plastic that will meld with different plastics, if you don't know the type of plastic you are working with?

[@smalltownmachineshop6860]

Actually the supplied sticks with the kit work on a very wide range of plastics and have worked on almost everything iv used them on

[@Smiler7]

@@smalltownmachineshop6860 Thank you!

[@xisleprez]

Kool.

[@grahamcovin]

Lost me at “not gonna look pretty”

[@smalltownmachineshop6860]

On thicker tanks it’s easier, on thinner ones the more you work it the more brittle the plastic becomes so sealing the crack is what’s most important. And when the customer gets there tank back the same day rather then waiting to order one and the repair only costing 1/4 of a new one they are very appreciative

[@MaestroSmoke]

It's a plastic gas tank, not a Rolls Royce. Function over form on a leaf blower gas tank

[@grahamcovin]

Mine turned out beautiful!! It’s is on a $13K John Deere that I needed to still look nice. Thanks

[@etbiged03]

First time on your channel but I have a question do you wear a respirator