Question trying to fix Bowsprit on 3750

[DrDalek6]

Hey folks haven't got round to uploading photos of my latest purchase a 3750 Pirate Ship. It's mainly complete and in good condition the odd broken part, the lamp holder on the back of the row boat appeared sturdy but, snapped off when I tried to insert the lamp so I've repaired it with some glue and milliput although now it doesn't look very good to use so I'll probably try to replace it.

Anyway the main broken part is the front curved bit which the Bowsprit goes on to must have got snapped off in the post presumably. I first tried gluing it with on type of glue and it totally failed, then tried another All Purpose glue which seemed to work until I removed a good glob of 'excess' glue and it flew off. Then tried the glue again and put some milliput on top for added strength which worked and I sanded it down then tried to sand the underneath bit and then it snapped off again.

The glue does seem to work, it always seems sturdy but, I think it's still fragile once glued, I'm willing to try the milliput again but, with a thinner layer and working it in where the crack is as much as I can but, I fear that if I don't sand it it won't look so good but, if I do sand it so much that it's not visible then it may not add much to the strength, so has anyone got any ideas what the best way is to fix it and add strength to it so that it won't snap off.



       

[Macruran]

It would be a mighty delicate job but you could drill tiny holes in both parts and put dowels in as reinforcement.

[Klickteryx]

Try plumbers glue.
I used some to fix a trailer hitch that had snapped in half.
From the little I read, the one which has ketones in it is better for abs plastic.
So if you don't have a model shop handy, a hardware store should have plumbers glue - it's what they use to connect plastic pipes together and it melts the surfaces forming a strong bond.

[Macruran]

Yeah that's a great idea, ABS glue. Didn't even think of that.

[Klickteryx]

Here's a picture of the hitch. I didn't clean the underside of it. It holds the weight of two klickies and I also applied pressure with my hands and it bent somewhat without breaking. Didn't want to risk the weight of the caravan on the join though.

[The_Mad_Hadder]

What you really need to be using is a plastic cement. Unlike glue, plastic cement melts a layer of the plastic item you are joining causing the two parts to fuse back together. You dab a little bit to both sides of the break, press together and then clamp. Only add enought to cover bothside, you do not want it to push out of the seam when you clamp.

Testors makes a great one N0. 3502 I know that this item cannot be purchased in the UK but in Canada and USA it is found at any hobby store.

Cheers,
James

[cheng]

It would be a mighty delicate job but you could drill tiny holes in both parts and put dowels in as reinforcement.

your bowsprit has quite a thick area if youre handy with mini drills....the challenge is to drill holes which are similarly aligned on both parts....and then using PVC glue sparingly.

but if youre not handy with mini drills better stick to pvc or plumber's glue

Klickteryx, if you have used both plumber's glue and pvc glue on klickies legs, how would you compare them?

[playmofire]

Try Plastiweld from a model shop.

[skypurr]

If you can't get to a model shop, plasticweld is available on Amazon.

[Klickteryx]

Klickteryx, if you have used both plumber's glue and pvc glue on klickies legs, how would you compare them?

Pvc glue is plumber's glue.
The main thing is that it can weld abs plastic. Some pvc glue isn't as good according to a plumber's site I looked at. You really want something that says it works on abs plastic rather than just pvc. Regular modelling glue as most of us have found out is useless.
As playmofire mentioned, plastiweld or similar "glue" is something else to look out for. Abs glue is difficult to come by where I live which is why I mentioned plumbers glue.
It should fix broken legs easily. I have a pair of legs which both feet broke off, but I haven't glued them back together yet as one of the feet is missing.