Thinkpads Forum

I recently aquired an X30 (for $200 !). The machine is in great condition except for a small stress crack just above the PCMCIA door. Has anyone had any experience with repairing Thinkpad plastics? Superglue just does not work on these things. Also, any suggestions about making a lasting repair? I'm afraid that, even if I can get a good epoxy that holds, the first time I pop a PCMCIA card in it'll crack again. I've looked for replacement plastics for the X30 but they are hard to find (and expensive when they are found!).

Thanks
Sam

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Thinkpad T22 - Upgraded to 1 Ghz PIII
Thinkpad S30 (piano finish)
(2) Thinkpad 600Es
Thinkpad 235 (Japanese)
Thinkpad Power Series 850
Thinkpad X30

I'm using Krazy Glue (Advanced Formula, http://www.krazyglue.com/products/produ ... ?prodID=33). It kind of melts the plastic and bonds very solid.

I bought some stuff called "Plastic Surgery". It is a super glue type stuff for plastic and it works pretty well on ABS. http://www.surehold.com/product_detail.asp?ID=15

In my experience, Devcon makes some of the strongest epoxies that are reasonably priced. If you have the money, you can get Belzona or Velodur these are both very strong and very expensive (they are used for repairing engine blocks and such). I think that one clue in determining the strength of the epoxy is if the instructions tell you to mix part A and part B in equal proportions, then a filler is being used. If the instructions tell you to mix a large amount of Part A to a small amount of Part B, then this type of epoxy will be stronger because it is not using a filler. [I may have confused Part A with Part B since I don't remember for sure which part is the catalyst, but I think it is Part B.]

It makes a much stronger bond if you can back it up with a piece of sheetmetal or fiberglass cloth. If you use a piece of sheetmetal, it helps if you rough-up the side that is glued with a coarse piece of sandpaper first.

An anecdote: Some years ago I used some Devcon epoxy designed for use in molds (that the machine shop I was working in had) to restick the rear side window closer on my Mercury Capri. After some days, the closer came loose again, but the glass had actually peeled away. The epoxy joint was stronger than the glass itself! The reason the joint did not hold up was that the molding was putting too much pressure against the window glass. My solution was to insert a coin between the glass and the molding to hold it closed, and just not open it anymore.

PC-7 two part is the best I have used. Adheres to almost anything if you rough it up and does not run. For plastic repairs it helps to file a crack a little larger so the epoxy can get to the inside.

It is sometimes hard to find

We used Belzona to repair cracks in "bowl mills, " huge mills with three 6-foot diameter journals where lignite coal was pulverized pryor to burning in the furnaces powering the steam driven generators at the electric power plant I worked at. We also used Devcon in a number of applications--very good products as well. But, in the consumer world for use around my home and shop I've found JB-Weld to be very available, affordable, and effective. It's available at WalMart for a couple of bucks. You can also get it at just about any auto supply or hardware store.

I know this is old and the case was likely repaired a month ago, but I couldn't resist adding my 2 bits: I've used most of the products mentioned in previous replies and have appreciated their value. Still, I'd be most prone to try the JB Weld.

Years ago, under very difficult difficult circumstances I'll not detail here, I actually repaired the bearing surfaces of the crankshaft in a small forklift. We used it for several months then sold it. When I enquired a year later the fellow said it was still going great. (After that I moved out of state-- but not related to the forklift repair!)