Repairs to Systainers?

[glenn storey]

has anybody ever used j.b. weld to fix systainers when the little clips and things break off? asking for a friend.

 

[Dick Mahany]

Systainers are made from ABS plastic and I doubt JB Weld would stick to it.  I have repaired broken tabs by solvent welding with acrylic glues which actually melt the surfaces to bond as opposed to putting an adhesive on the surface.  IPS/Weldon make several different solvent glues for ABS.

 

[glenn storey]

so basic plumber type adhesive should work?

 

[Dick Mahany]

so basic plumber type adhesive should work?

I used Weldon No.4 acrylic on mine but the ABS specific glues found in home centers should also do the job.  A small can is typically inexpensive and worth a try.  PVC glues are not likely to work and I don't know if the ABS/PVC combo glues would work as well as straight ABS solvent glue.

 

[glenn storey]

i've got about 15 partky used little cans lying around. "give me your tired, your poor systainers. give me your huddled masses of broken systainers, yearning to be free"

 

[gunnyr]

I used Legos dissolved in MEK to repair ABS on my old Coleman Camper with great results.  It was particularly satisfying repair because I used only Lego's I "found" with my bare feet  [big grin].  You can find MEK at Home Depot and Lowes.  It would be worth a try.  If you're real concerned with color matching you could use an extra attic lid divider or one of the stiffeners.  Shave the material into a glass container and dissolve with the MEK until it's putty like.  Good luck!

 

[mike_aa]

I've used Plastruct Plastic-Weld to glue ABS and other plastics.  It melts the joint to bond the material.  It's used by model builders and should be available in most Hobby Shops.  Over the years, I've used it on a variety of repairs around the shop and house, and so far it has always worked well.

Mike A.

 

[gvega9889@gmail.com]

A little off-topic but does anyone know if a paint is available  to color match the systainer after it has been repaired?

 

[yetihunter]

I don’t speak from experience but from an armchair internet internship (salt grains).  ABS can be welded.  Have heat gun, have readily available ABS welding sticks, have at it. Same for polystyrene.

As for the hinges that are part of the lid, I’d just buy a new lid.
Same with the hinge pins and latches.  Readily available from parts dealers and direct from Festool.