Attachment Turns Propane Torch Into Plastic "Welder"
"I needed to repair a crack in a plastic tank but didn't want to spend the money for one of the new plastic æwelders'. So I made an attachment that clamps onto the nozzle of a handheld propane torch," says John Lyons, Cornell, Ill.
The 8-in. long attachment consists of a piece of metal brake line attached to a length of 3/8-in. dia. pipe. The sides of the pipe are cut away - to let heat escape - and a wing nut is used to clamp it to the torch nozzle.
"The pipe directs heat through a hole that's about the size of a pencil, rather than heating a bigger area. That's what makes it work," says Lyons. "I used it to fix a crack in my 1,200-gal. plastic water tank, which I use to haul water to my well. I had to either fix the tank or buy a new one at a cost of about $350. One plastic welder I looked at was electric-powered so it wasn't portable, and I didn't think it would get hot enough to do the job. My pipe coupler attachment produces heat in only a few seconds, with no need to wait for an electric element to heat up. In fact, the flame gets so hot I have to wear gloves. I may install a heat shield on it to deflect the heat away from my hands."
Lyons says he's looking for a manufacturer.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, John Lyons, 23847 N. 1050 E. Rd., Cornell, Ill. 61319 (ph 815 358-2737; E-mail: lyons@crtelco.com).
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Attachment Turns Propane Torch Into Plastic "Welder" WELDERS/TORCHES Welders/Torches 26-1-40 "I needed to repair a crack in a plastic tank but didn't want to spend the money for one of the new plastic æwelders'. So I made an attachment that clamps onto the nozzle of a handheld propane torch," says John Lyons, Cornell, Ill.
The 8-in. long attachment consists of a piece of metal brake line attached to a length of 3/8-in. dia. pipe. The sides of the pipe are cut away - to let heat escape - and a wing nut is used to clamp it to the torch nozzle.
"The pipe directs heat through a hole that's about the size of a pencil, rather than heating a bigger area. That's what makes it work," says Lyons. "I used it to fix a crack in my 1,200-gal. plastic water tank, which I use to haul water to my well. I had to either fix the tank or buy a new one at a cost of about $350. One plastic welder I looked at was electric-powered so it wasn't portable, and I didn't think it would get hot enough to do the job. My pipe coupler attachment produces heat in only a few seconds, with no need to wait for an electric element to heat up. In fact, the flame gets so hot I have to wear gloves. I may install a heat shield on it to deflect the heat away from my hands."
Lyons says he's looking for a manufacturer.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, John Lyons, 23847 N. 1050 E. Rd., Cornell, Ill. 61319 (ph 815 358-2737; E-mail: lyons@crtelco.com).
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