Plastic welding??

[shadango]

I saw a reference somewhere to "plastic welding"......a mopar mag talked about it for some interior pieces....

I am looking to graft part of one console to another to make one good one.....(trying to save $$ where I can).....

Figured if I can get the cut straight and accurate that is half the battle.....but whats the best way to join them?

Figured I would then use spray truck bedliner to coat the whole deal.....

Anyone do anything like this?

[HP2]

There are any number of plastic welding tools out there. They work similar in principle to TIG welding, only using hot air instead of electrical arc. You heat the area, use filler rod, and work your way through the crack.

For finish you could use a vinyl repair kit with the grain texture tools to smooth and matchthe area. I'd think bedliner would be too rough and irregular for an interior piece, unless the rest of the interior was done in a similar finish.

[426HEMI]

   some systems are better than others just take your time with it because it is not exactly like wielding.  Practice with it and then it may work better.  I have done some of it with good results.  Take care and take your time.

[the_engineers]

This is what I have.  I've done a lot of smaller jobs that have turned out well.  Never tried anything as large as a console, though.  I'm assuming it's like any welding...thickness is more crucial than length.  I've done over 1/8" material with this one.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=96464

[shadango]

Thanks guys.

I have successfully trimed teh two top sections of the console so they fit together acceptably.

Now just have to decide how to secure them together.

I cut the console about a 1/2" away from the edge of where the "box" starts (the part the lid covers).....and then down along the side....the top is not perfect....the edges are a little tattered around the ashtray.  But at least its in one piece! LOL

This is just temporary...will eventually get another console after the car is running well.....till then, this "frankenstein" version will do.