The Poqet PC: Any tips on case crack repairs?

[68k]

I recently picked up this awesome little XT-compatible palmtop computer (more info here).

They seem to have one design flaw that plagues these things, and that is the right hinge causing the case to fracture. Here is what mine looks like:



The case seems to be some type of magnesium alloy, but I'm not certain. Information on these is sparse online and nobody has documented resolving the hinge fractures.

I'd like to find an epoxy that I can work into the crack and sand until it's level with the surrounding material and paint to match.

Anyone recommend a strong epoxy I should use? Normally "replace the part" is the logical response, but these things are rarer than hens teeth as it is.

 

[curtis]

Case is plastic that has been sonic-welded. Very difficult to get into.

However, I found JBWeld works great on these! It is also a dark gray in color and blends in pretty good with the plastic color.

Good luck.

Curtis

 

[68k]

Case is plastic that has been sonic-welded. Very difficult to get into.

However, I found JBWeld works great on these! It is also a dark gray in color and blends in pretty good with the plastic color.

Good luck.

Curtis

Thanks for the tip! I'll give this a shot and report back.

 

[Old Thrashbarg]

If it's just regular ABS, you could chemically weld it with some methyl-ethyl ketone. Acetone works too, if you can't find MEK. Use a needle or whatever to inject a little bit into the crack (be careful not to drip anywhere else), clamp the thing over night, and it'll be stuck together pretty well... it'll be roughly 70-80% as strong as unbroken plastic, but that's probably good enough as long as you don't beat the crap out of the thing.

 

[Chuck(G)]

I use methylene chloride for this kind of stuff--the weld can be made to be nearly invisible and is as strong as the original material. Try a local hobby store and ask them if they have any Tenax or Ambroid cement kicking round in the back room. Failing that, try a local commercial plastics place and ask about Plexiglas cement.