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You're probably right that they were solvent welded, that's fairly common
with acrylic pieces (what I see my wife's clips appear to be). Maybe buy a
couple test clips that appear to be there same material for testing as
solvent welding can deform really if not done in just there right way.
Here's there AI scoop on welding the two plastics I see clips are mostly
made from:
Both cellulose acetate and acrylic can be solvent welded
, but they require different solvents to fuse the plastic together. The
solvent essentially melts the surfaces of the plastic pieces, which then
bond to form a seamless, single piece as the solvent evaporates.
Solvent welding cellulose acetate
- *Solvents:* The most common and accessible solvent for welding
cellulose acetate is pure acetone. Nail polish remover is not recommende=
d
as it contains emollients and other additives that interfere with the
welding process.
- *Method:* A thin coat of acetone is applied to the clean surfaces of
the cellulose acetate. The pieces are then pressed together and held fir=
mly
while the solvent evaporates.
- *Considerations:* The process for welding cellulose acetate can be
slow and requires significant pressure for a successful bond.
- *Best for:* Eyeglass frames, tool handles, and film materials.
Solvent welding acrylic
- *Solvents:* Acrylic solvent cements, such as Weld-On #3 and #4, are
specifically designed for bonding acrylic. These cements are typically a
fast-drying, water-thin liquid based on chemicals like methylene chlorid=
e.
- *Method:* The process relies on capillary action. With the pieces held
together, a small amount of the liquid cement is applied along the seam.
The solvent is drawn into the joint, melting the two surfaces together.
- *Considerations:* It is crucial to have perfectly flat, smooth, and
clean edges, as the watery solvent will not fill gaps. Clamping or tapin=
g
the pieces together beforehand is recommended for precision.
- *Best for:* Projects requiring a strong, clear, and seamless joint,
such as display cases, signs, and aquariums.
Key differences between the two
Feature Cellulose Acetate Acrylic
*Common Solvent* Pure Acetone Specialized acrylic cements (e.g., Weld-On #3=
)
*Bond Speed* Slow, requiring hours and pressure to cure Very fast, with an
initial set in minutes and a full cure in 24=E2=80=9348 hours
*Bond Clarity* Can be clear, but is prone to blemishes if not done
carefully. Excellent, capable of producing very clear, seamless, and
bubble-free joints.
*Application* Acetone can be brushed or sprayed on, but careful application
is needed to avoid damaging the finish. Typically applied with a
needle-nosed applicator to let capillary action draw the cement into the
joint.
If you just want to try glue....From my experience I would rule out super
glue (cyanoacrylate) as it is better for static adhesion, like a figurine,
not loads. Polyurethane glues like Gorilla glue are tougher (absorb stress
by flexing a little more). I'd definitely rough up the surfaces and
ideally if you could drill holes for small pins to couple them like dowels,
you'd get the strongest combination with mechanical and chemical bonding.
Best
Ian
On Sun, Oct 5, 2025 at 6:43=E2=80=AFPM Jim Stone <1789alpine@gmail.com> wro=
te:
> My granddaughter asked me to fix her favorite hair clip and I=E2=80=99d l=
ike to
> keep my reputation as Grandpa Fixit intact. The part that came off will =
be
> under stress when the clip is used. The plastic didn=E2=80=99t break; th=
e larger,
> decorative part of the clip came loose from the spring clip. It looks to
> me like it was originally solvent welded, not glued.
>
>
>
> I have never had tremendous luck gluing plastic but never tried solvent
> welding. Does anyone here have a recommendations for either a strong enou=
gh
> plastic glue or a readily available solvent that I could use to bond the
> two pieces and keep my reputation intact?
>
> Thanks,
>
> PaG, aka Jim_______________________________________________
>
> Shop-talk@autox.team.net
> Donate: http://www.team.net/donate.html
> Suggested annual donation $12.96
> Archive: http://www.team.net/pipermail/shop-talk
> http://autox.team.net/archive
>
> Unsubscribe/Manage:
> http://autox.team.net/mailman/options/shop-talk/shop-talk2@mcfetridge.org
>
>
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<div dir=3D"auto">You're probably right that they were solvent welded, =
that's fairly common with acrylic pieces (what I see my wife's clip=
s appear to be).=C2=A0 Maybe buy a couple test clips that appear to be ther=
e same material for testing as solvent welding can deform really if not don=
e in just there right way. =C2=A0</div><div dir=3D"auto"><br></div><div dir=
=3D"auto">Here's there AI scoop on welding the two plastics I see clips=
are mostly made from:</div><div dir=3D"auto"><div><div style=3D"font-famil=
y:"google sans",roboto,arial,sans-serif;font-size:16px;margin:0px=
0px 20px;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;letter-spacing:normal;text-inde=
nt:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;word-spacing:0px;text-decorat=
ion:none;color:rgb(238,240,255)"><div style=3D"font-family:"google san=
s",roboto,arial,sans-serif" dir=3D"auto">Both cellulose acetate and ac=
rylic can be solvent welded</div>, but they require different solvents to f=
use the plastic together. The solvent essentially melts the surfaces of the=
plastic pieces, which then bond to form a seamless, single piece as the so=
lvent evaporates.<span style=3D"white-space:nowrap;font-family:"google=
sans",roboto,arial,sans-serif">=C2=A0<button style=3D"margin:0px 6px =
0px 0px;border:medium;border-radius:10px;height:20px;padding:0px;width:28px=
;outline:0px"><span style=3D"display:inline-block"></span></button></span><=
/div><div style=3D"font-family:"google sans",roboto,arial,sans-se=
rif;font-size:16px;font-style:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;=
text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;word-spacing:0px;tex=
t-decoration:none;color:rgb(238,240,255)"></div><div style=3D"margin:20px 0=
px 10px;font-family:"google sans",roboto,arial,sans-serif;font-we=
ight:500;font-style:normal;letter-spacing:normal;text-indent:0px;text-trans=
form:none;white-space:normal;word-spacing:0px;text-decoration:none;color:rg=
b(238,240,255)">Solvent welding cellulose acetate<span style=3D"white-space=
:nowrap;font-family:"google sans",roboto,arial,sans-serif"><butto=
n style=3D"margin:0px 6px 0px 0px;border:medium;border-radius:10px;height:2=
0px;padding:0px;width:28px;outline:0px"><span style=3D"display:inline-block=
"></span></button></span></div><ul style=3D"margin:10px 0px 20px;padding:0p=
x;font-family:"google sans",roboto,arial,sans-serif;font-size:16p=
x;font-style:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;text-indent:0px;t=
ext-transform:none;white-space:normal;word-spacing:0px;text-decoration:none=
;color:rgb(238,240,255)"><li style=3D"margin:0px 0px 16px;padding:0px;list-=
style:outside;font-family:"google sans",roboto,arial,sans-serif">=
<strong style=3D"font-weight:bolder;font-family:"google sans",rob=
oto,arial,sans-serif">Solvents:</strong>=C2=A0The most common and accessibl=
e solvent for welding cellulose acetate is pure acetone. Nail polish remove=
r is not recommended as it contains emollients and other additives that int=
erfere with the welding process.</li><li style=3D"margin:0px 0px 16px;paddi=
ng:0px;list-style:outside;font-family:"google sans",roboto,arial,=
sans-serif"><strong style=3D"font-weight:bolder;font-family:"google sa=
ns",roboto,arial,sans-serif">Method:</strong>=C2=A0A thin coat of acet=
one is applied to the clean surfaces of the cellulose acetate. The pieces a=
re then pressed together and held firmly while the solvent evaporates.</li>=
<li style=3D"margin:0px 0px 16px;padding:0px;list-style:outside;font-family=
:"google sans",roboto,arial,sans-serif"><strong style=3D"font-wei=
ght:bolder;font-family:"google sans",roboto,arial,sans-serif">Con=
siderations:</strong>=C2=A0The process for welding cellulose acetate can be=
slow and requires significant pressure for a successful bond.</li><li styl=
e=3D"margin:0px 0px 16px;padding:0px;list-style:outside;font-family:"g=
oogle sans",roboto,arial,sans-serif"><strong style=3D"font-weight:bold=
er;font-family:"google sans",roboto,arial,sans-serif">Best for:</=
strong>=C2=A0Eyeglass frames, tool handles, and film materials.<span style=
=3D"white-space:nowrap;font-family:"google sans",roboto,arial,san=
s-serif">=C2=A0<button style=3D"margin:0px 6px 0px 0px;border:medium;border=
-radius:10px;height:20px;padding:0px;width:28px;outline:0px"><span style=3D=
"display:inline-block"></span></button></span></li></ul><div style=3D"font-=
family:"google sans",roboto,arial,sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-=
style:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;text-indent:0px;text-tra=
nsform:none;white-space:normal;word-spacing:0px;text-decoration:none;color:=
rgb(238,240,255)"></div><div style=3D"margin:20px 0px 10px;font-family:&quo=
t;google sans",roboto,arial,sans-serif;font-weight:500;font-style:norm=
al;letter-spacing:normal;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:no=
rmal;word-spacing:0px;text-decoration:none;color:rgb(238,240,255)">Solvent =
welding acrylic<span style=3D"white-space:nowrap;font-family:"google s=
ans",roboto,arial,sans-serif"><button style=3D"margin:0px 6px 0px 0px;=
border:medium;border-radius:10px;height:20px;padding:0px;width:28px;outline=
:0px"><span style=3D"display:inline-block"></span></button></span></div><ul=
style=3D"margin:10px 0px 20px;padding:0px;font-family:"google sans&qu=
ot;,roboto,arial,sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-style:normal;font-weight:40=
0;letter-spacing:normal;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:nor=
mal;word-spacing:0px;text-decoration:none;color:rgb(238,240,255)"><li style=
=3D"margin:0px 0px 16px;padding:0px;list-style:outside;font-family:"go=
ogle sans",roboto,arial,sans-serif"><strong style=3D"font-weight:bolde=
r;font-family:"google sans",roboto,arial,sans-serif">Solvents:</s=
trong>=C2=A0Acrylic solvent cements, such as Weld-On #3 and #4, are specifi=
cally designed for bonding acrylic. These cements are typically a fast-dryi=
ng, water-thin liquid based on chemicals like methylene chloride.</li><li s=
tyle=3D"margin:0px 0px 16px;padding:0px;list-style:outside;font-family:&quo=
t;google sans",roboto,arial,sans-serif"><strong style=3D"font-weight:b=
older;font-family:"google sans",roboto,arial,sans-serif">Method:<=
/strong>=C2=A0The process relies on capillary action. With the pieces held =
together, a small amount of the liquid cement is applied along the seam. Th=
e solvent is drawn into the joint, melting the two surfaces together.</li><=
li style=3D"margin:0px 0px 16px;padding:0px;list-style:outside;font-family:=
"google sans",roboto,arial,sans-serif"><strong style=3D"font-weig=
ht:bolder;font-family:"google sans",roboto,arial,sans-serif">Cons=
iderations:</strong>=C2=A0It is crucial to have perfectly flat, smooth, and=
clean edges, as the watery solvent will not fill gaps. Clamping or taping =
the pieces together beforehand is recommended for precision.</li><li style=
=3D"margin:0px 0px 16px;padding:0px;list-style:outside;font-family:"go=
ogle sans",roboto,arial,sans-serif"><strong style=3D"font-weight:bolde=
r;font-family:"google sans",roboto,arial,sans-serif">Best for:</s=
trong>=C2=A0Projects requiring a strong, clear, and seamless joint, such as=
display cases, signs, and aquariums.<span style=3D"white-space:nowrap;font=
-family:"google sans",roboto,arial,sans-serif">=C2=A0<button styl=
e=3D"margin:0px 6px 0px 0px;border:medium;border-radius:10px;height:20px;pa=
dding:0px;width:28px;outline:0px"><span style=3D"display:inline-block"></sp=
an></button></span></li></ul><div style=3D"font-family:"google sans&qu=
ot;,roboto,arial,sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-style:normal;font-weight:40=
0;letter-spacing:normal;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:nor=
mal;word-spacing:0px;text-decoration:none;color:rgb(238,240,255)"></div><di=
v style=3D"margin:20px 0px 10px;font-family:"google sans",roboto,=
arial,sans-serif;font-weight:500;font-style:normal;letter-spacing:normal;te=
xt-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;word-spacing:0px;text-=
decoration:none;color:rgb(238,240,255)">Key differences between the two<spa=
n style=3D"white-space:nowrap;font-family:"google sans",roboto,ar=
ial,sans-serif"><button style=3D"margin:0px 6px 0px 0px;border:medium;borde=
r-radius:10px;height:20px;padding:0px;width:28px;outline:0px"><span style=
=3D"display:inline-block"></span></button></span></div><div style=3D"font-f=
amily:"google sans",roboto,arial,sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-s=
tyle:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;text-indent:0px;text-tran=
sform:none;white-space:normal;word-spacing:0px;text-decoration:none;color:r=
gb(238,240,255)"></div><div style=3D"margin:16px 20px;font-family:"goo=
gle sans",roboto,arial,sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-style:normal;fon=
t-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;whit=
e-space:normal;word-spacing:0px;text-decoration:none;color:rgb(238,240,255)=
"><table style=3D"border:medium;border-collapse:collapse;table-layout:auto;=
width:696px;font-family:"google sans",roboto,arial,sans-serif"><t=
body style=3D"font-family:"google sans",roboto,arial,sans-serif">=
<tr style=3D"font-family:"google sans",roboto,arial,sans-serif"><=
th colspan=3D"undefined" style=3D"border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-sty=
le:solid;min-width:4em;vertical-align:top;font-weight:bold;padding:0px 10px=
12px 0px;text-align:left;font-size:14px;background:repeat;font-family:&quo=
t;google sans",roboto,arial,sans-serif;border-bottom-color:currentcolo=
r">Feature<span style=3D"white-space:nowrap;font-family:"google sans&q=
uot;,roboto,arial,sans-serif">=C2=A0<button style=3D"margin:0px 6px 0px 0px=
;border:medium;border-radius:10px;height:20px;padding:0px;width:28px;outlin=
e:0px"><span style=3D"display:inline-block"></span></button></span></th><th=
colspan=3D"undefined" style=3D"border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style=
:solid;min-width:4em;vertical-align:top;font-weight:bold;padding:0px 10px 1=
2px 16px;text-align:left;font-size:14px;font-family:"google sans"=
,roboto,arial,sans-serif;border-bottom-color:currentcolor">Cellulose Acetat=
e</th><th colspan=3D"undefined" style=3D"border-bottom-width:1px;border-bot=
tom-style:solid;min-width:4em;vertical-align:top;font-weight:bold;padding:0=
px 0px 12px 10px;text-align:left;font-size:14px;font-family:"google sa=
ns",roboto,arial,sans-serif;border-bottom-color:currentcolor">Acrylic<=
/th></tr><tr style=3D"font-family:"google sans",roboto,arial,sans=
-serif"><td colspan=3D"undefined" style=3D"border-bottom-width:1px;border-b=
ottom-style:solid;min-width:4em;vertical-align:top;font-family:"google=
sans",arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;line-height:18px;padding:12px 1=
0px 12px 0px;font-weight:400;background:repeat;border-bottom-color:currentc=
olor"><strong style=3D"font-weight:bolder;font-family:"google sans&quo=
t;,arial,sans-serif">Common Solvent</strong></td><td colspan=3D"undefined" =
style=3D"border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:solid;min-width:4em;ve=
rtical-align:top;font-family:"google sans",arial,sans-serif;font-=
size:14px;line-height:18px;padding:12px 10px;font-weight:400;border-bottom-=
color:currentcolor">Pure Acetone</td><td colspan=3D"undefined" style=3D"bor=
der-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:solid;min-width:4em;vertical-align=
:top;font-family:"google sans",arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;li=
ne-height:18px;padding:12px 0px 12px 10px;font-weight:400;border-bottom-col=
or:currentcolor">Specialized acrylic cements (e.g., Weld-On #3)</td></tr><t=
r style=3D"font-family:"google sans",roboto,arial,sans-serif"><td=
colspan=3D"undefined" style=3D"border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style=
:solid;min-width:4em;vertical-align:top;font-family:"google sans"=
,arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;line-height:18px;padding:12px 10px 12px 0p=
x;font-weight:400;background:repeat;border-bottom-color:currentcolor"><stro=
ng style=3D"font-weight:bolder;font-family:"google sans",arial,sa=
ns-serif">Bond Speed</strong></td><td colspan=3D"undefined" style=3D"border=
-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:solid;min-width:4em;vertical-align:to=
p;font-family:"google sans",arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;line-=
height:18px;padding:12px 10px;font-weight:400;border-bottom-color:currentco=
lor">Slow, requiring hours and pressure to cure</td><td colspan=3D"undefine=
d" style=3D"border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:solid;min-width:4em=
;vertical-align:top;font-family:"google sans",arial,sans-serif;fo=
nt-size:14px;line-height:18px;padding:12px 0px 12px 10px;font-weight:400;bo=
rder-bottom-color:currentcolor">Very fast, with an initial set in minutes a=
nd a full cure in 24=E2=80=9348 hours</td></tr><tr style=3D"font-family:&qu=
ot;google sans",roboto,arial,sans-serif"><td colspan=3D"undefined" sty=
le=3D"border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:solid;min-width:4em;verti=
cal-align:top;font-family:"google sans",arial,sans-serif;font-siz=
e:14px;line-height:18px;padding:12px 10px 12px 0px;font-weight:400;backgrou=
nd:repeat;border-bottom-color:currentcolor"><strong style=3D"font-weight:bo=
lder;font-family:"google sans",arial,sans-serif">Bond Clarity</st=
rong></td><td colspan=3D"undefined" style=3D"border-bottom-width:1px;border=
-bottom-style:solid;min-width:4em;vertical-align:top;font-family:"goog=
le sans",arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;line-height:18px;padding:12px=
10px;font-weight:400;border-bottom-color:currentcolor">Can be clear, but i=
s prone to blemishes if not done carefully.</td><td colspan=3D"undefined" s=
tyle=3D"border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:solid;min-width:4em;ver=
tical-align:top;font-family:"google sans",arial,sans-serif;font-s=
ize:14px;line-height:18px;padding:12px 0px 12px 10px;font-weight:400;border=
-bottom-color:currentcolor">Excellent, capable of producing very clear, sea=
mless, and bubble-free joints.</td></tr><tr style=3D"font-family:"goog=
le sans",roboto,arial,sans-serif"><td colspan=3D"undefined" style=3D"b=
order-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:solid;min-width:4em;vertical-ali=
gn:top;font-family:"google sans",arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;=
line-height:18px;padding:12px 10px 12px 0px;font-weight:400;background:repe=
at;border-bottom-color:currentcolor"><strong style=3D"font-weight:bolder;fo=
nt-family:"google sans",arial,sans-serif">Application</strong></t=
d><td colspan=3D"undefined" style=3D"border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-=
style:solid;min-width:4em;vertical-align:top;font-family:"google sans&=
quot;,arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;line-height:18px;padding:12px 10px;fo=
nt-weight:400;border-bottom-color:currentcolor">Acetone can be brushed or s=
prayed on, but careful application is needed to avoid damaging the finish.<=
/td><td colspan=3D"undefined" style=3D"border-bottom-width:1px;border-botto=
m-style:solid;min-width:4em;vertical-align:top;font-family:"google san=
s",arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;line-height:18px;padding:12px 0px 1=
2px 10px;font-weight:400;border-bottom-color:currentcolor">Typically applie=
d with a needle-nosed applicator to let capillary action draw the cement in=
to the joint.</td></tr></tbody></table></div></div><br></div><div dir=3D"au=
to"><br></div><div dir=3D"auto">If you just want to try glue....From my exp=
erience I would rule out super glue (cyanoacrylate) as it is better for sta=
tic adhesion, like a figurine, not loads.=C2=A0 Polyurethane glues like Gor=
illa glue are tougher (absorb stress by flexing a little more).=C2=A0 I'=
;d definitely rough up the surfaces and ideally if you could drill holes=C2=
=A0for small pins to couple them like dowels, you'd get the strongest c=
ombination with mechanical and chemical bonding. =C2=A0</div><div dir=3D"au=
to"><br></div><div dir=3D"auto">Best</div><div dir=3D"auto">Ian</div><div d=
ir=3D"auto"><br></div><div dir=3D"auto"><br></div><div dir=3D"auto"><br></d=
iv><div><br><div class=3D"gmail_quote gmail_quote_container"><div dir=3D"lt=
r" class=3D"gmail_attr">On Sun, Oct 5, 2025 at 6:43=E2=80=AFPM Jim Stone &l=
t;<a href=3D"mailto:1789alpine@gmail.com";>1789alpine@gmail.com</a>> wrot=
e:<br></div><blockquote class=3D"gmail_quote" style=3D"margin:0px 0px 0px 0=
.8ex;border-left-width:1px;border-left-style:solid;padding-left:1ex;border-=
left-color:rgb(204,204,204)">My granddaughter asked me to fix her favorite =
hair clip and I=E2=80=99d like to keep my reputation as Grandpa Fixit intac=
t.=C2=A0 The part that came off will be under stress when the clip is used.=
=C2=A0 The plastic didn=E2=80=99t break; the larger, decorative part of the=
clip came loose from the spring clip.=C2=A0 It looks to me like it was ori=
ginally solvent welded, not glued.=C2=A0 <br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
I have never had tremendous luck gluing plastic but never tried solvent wel=
ding. Does anyone here have a recommendations for either a strong enough pl=
astic glue or a readily available solvent that I could use to bond the two =
pieces and keep my reputation intact?<br>
<br>
Thanks,<br>
<br>
PaG, aka Jim_______________________________________________<br>
<br>
<a href=3D"mailto:Shop-talk@autox.team.net"; target=3D"_blank">Shop-talk@aut=
ox.team.net</a><br>
et=3D"_blank">http://www.team.net/donate.html</a><br>
Archive: <a href=3D"http://www.team.net/pipermail/shop-talk"; rel=3D"norefer=
rer" target=3D"_blank">http://www.team.net/pipermail/shop-talk</a> <a href=
=3D"http://autox.team.net/archive"; rel=3D"noreferrer" target=3D"_blank">htt=
p://autox.team.net/archive</a><br>
<br>
alk/shop-talk2@mcfetridge.org" rel=3D"noreferrer" target=3D"_blank">http://=
autox.team.net/mailman/options/shop-talk/shop-talk2@mcfetridge.org</a><br>
<br>
</blockquote></div></div>
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Archive: http://www.team.net/pipermail/shop-talk http://autox.team.net/archive
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