Need opinions on repair please

[knox]

Originally Posted by Terranaut

Why use anything but pvc cement? Seriously ??

I was thinking more of something that will not simply melt and bond, but would extend beyond the crack for a stronger repair.

PVC cement is great for joining, but I have never used it for crack repair.

[Terranaut]

If you put cement in between the 2 cages (its 2 bonded) and clamp them together the crack on the right one will just be a hair line and gaping like it is now. So a littke cement and a clamp will be way way better than trying to fill the crack up and hope it holds. Just my opinion but .....

[knox]

Originally Posted by Terranaut

If you put cement in between the 2 cages (its 2 bonded) and clamp them together the crack on the right one will just be a hair line and gaping like it is now. So a littke cement and a clamp will be way way better than trying to fill the crack up and hope it holds. Just my opinion but .....

You are absolutely correct. It does need to be clamped together, so that the structure squares up. PVC Cement would probably work just fine.

There are several ways to fix that. Yours (PVC Cement and a clamp) would probably be the cheapest and easiest.

[formica]

Cement is excellent for clean, straight joints, and hairline cracks where the unit itself hasnt changed shape...i dont see how the crack shown in the photo could be forced together well enough for cement to work tbh, even the tinest gap will cause the cement joint to fail, or how it could be cleaned well enough to allow the solvent to work properly - cement should never be used as a 'filler' - what is needed, is an adhesive sealant, to fill the gaps, not a cement, or better still a weld.

Epoxy is the next best solution, welding would be the most aesthetically pleasing, most water tight (depending on how well the surfaces are prepared before hand in both cases)

[knox]

True. It's all about the damage from the crack and the deformation of the structure.

All of this, though, points to viable options for a good repair if it is not too damaged and the price is right.

[LarryS]

Boaphile cages are all assembled and then the bonding substance (?) is applied after assy. The fact that the crack is opened up means there likely is more damage than is visible.

If the solvent could be used and ample clamping pressure applied with the joint in perfect alignment it could work. PVC cement needs adequate pressure to work, I have found that to be difficult under certain situations.

Even with the epoxy repair the underlying damage that is causing that crack to be opened up should be dealt with.

IMHO the repair could be done best with epoxy and a backer piece all clamped and bonded in place, only because of the condition of the cage.

Edit; I walked away from my phone in the middle of my reply, took too long and basically just repeated what you guys said!

[Terranaut]

Originally Posted by formica

Cement is excellent for clean, straight joints, and hairline cracks where the unit itself hasnt changed shape...i dont see how the crack shown in the photo could be forced together well enough for cement to work tbh, even the tinest gap will cause the cement joint to fail, or how it could be cleaned well enough to allow the solvent to work properly - cement should never be used as a 'filler' - what is needed, is an adhesive sealant, to fill the gaps, not a cement, or better still a weld.

Epoxy is the next best solution, welding would be the most aesthetically pleasing, most water tight (depending on how well the surfaces are prepared before hand in both cases)

Its 2 boxes sandwiched together with the common walls cut out. There will be a lip inside. Vice grips would hold it and clamping it will force the shape back to normal somewhat.

[Sublimeballs]

Originally Posted by formica

i personally wouldnt pay anything for that unit, thats a pretty substantial crack

if you really want to fix it, first you need to ensure that the crack wont simply carry on taring along its path after fixing (drill a single hole at each end of the crack, this will stop it cracking further) then i'd recommend welding, rather than epoxy or glue, to fix it



but tbh that pic is pretty useless, it doesnt tell us enough about where the crack is, how much load the area needs to take, etc

The crack is dead center so thats where all the stress will be. the boaphile 8x2 s are two 4x2 bonded togather. Idk I might pass on this one. but I was looking into getting the pvc sheets to make my own cage, didn't realize how much the stuff cost. Might just have to build a wooden cage.

[formica]

Originally Posted by Terranaut

Its 2 boxes sandwiched together with the common walls cut out. There will be a lip inside. Vice grips would hold it and clamping it will force the shape back to normal somewhat.

ah i see - i'm not convinced the horizontal crack could be fixed that way tho - tbh the whole thing looks very deformed

Originally Posted by Sublimeballs

The crack is dead center so thats where all the stress will be. the boaphile 8x2 s are two 4x2 bonded togather. Idk I might pass on this one. but I was looking into getting the pvc sheets to make my own cage, didn't realize how much the stuff cost. Might just have to build a wooden cage.

if you get the enclosure for nothing, then its worth trying to fix it i think, if it doesnt work, well at least you can take the doors off and save yourself some money in your new build, coz acrylic isnt cheap!

yep its expensive to build plastic cages, but, they last longer, so it should even out eventually - that said, choosing a safe plastic is very important, if you do go down that route, avoid all PVC's with Phthalates (plastiziers), solvents and heavy metals, so check the datasheets

If you have access to a van (eg ford transit, dont know what you guys call vans in the US) then you may be able to pick up a sheet of PVC direct from a manufacturer's local distributor, you will find the cost to be allot lower than retail prices, but as soon as you add delivery, its just not cost effective.

[KORBIN5895]

So cut four 2"x4" out of something about 3/16" thick. Bond them and pop rivet them with the cage sandwiched between. Said and done.