Forums Archive Index > Outdoor Power Equipment > JB Weld - WOW!!!

Author: LL

Date: 22 Dec 2005 1:30 pm

WARNING!!! This is a long post for no particular reason!!!

I’m posting this in the OPE Forum because JB Weld may have some use in the OPE world but my story occurs in another place…

My basement is a mess, having accumulated junk for years. Our winter goal is to get it cleaned out. We have about twenty garbage bags full of old clothes that will be donated to a local charity and a lot of things that will be discarded. This will still leave a lot to deal with.

Needing more room, I decided to make use of some wasted space in the garage. We have a good size garage with about four feet above the doors so I figured I’d build a storage shelf above the doors. No big deal, I built a frame, 29 feet long, two feet wide. The shelf was attached to the wall above the doors and to the side wall on the right. On the left, I didn’t go all the way to the wall so I could lean long things in the corner without the shelf getting in the way. The front of the shelf is suspended by chains attached to hooks which are screwed into ceiling joists. The chains have turnbuckles on them so I can level the whole thing it is strong and sturdy.

Keep reading…I’ll get to my point…

Well, in the process of putting the shelf together, mostly with screws, I had to balance my brand new Hitachi 18-volt cordless drill/driver on the garage door opener track to free up my hands (well, I didn’t have to use the door opener track…but I did). Obviously, the next step was to barely tap the driver with my elbow, sending it crashing onto the concrete floor below, breaking the handle of the driver clean off.

Annoyed but still wanting to finish the job, I went to the basement, found (in the mess), my old 12-volt Ryobi drill/driver. This unit is about ten years old and is from when a Ryobi tool was good, not like today’s. It is big tough, and powerful. Not much less so than the new Hitachi. But, it isn’t so strong so as to survive unscathed, a fall from the top of the ladder to the concrete garage floor below (I thought I was being smart not using the door opener track again). Yes, I managed to seemingly destroy not one, but two good cordless drill/drivers.

Luckily, none of the wires broke and the battery packs were still intact so when I pulled the triggers, both drivers still “worked” and before replacing them (I would have gotten he same ones or at least others where the batteries I had would fit), I’d try to fix them.

Enter the five year old tube(s) of JB Weld I had in the basement. I had used it before, heard good things about it and the website lists some impressive accomplishments so I figured I’d give it a try. Mixed up a batch and forced it into the nooks and crannies of the drivers and handles (being careful NOT to get any on the triggers or reverse switches), placed the parts together, used some nylon zip-ties to hold everything in place, and went back upstairs (all this took place in the messy basement).

When I went down the next morning things looked O.K. but left everything in place for the day.

I came home from work and after dinner, remembered the drivers. Went downstairs, cut off the zip-ties, and other than a few spots and strips of hard, gray glue, they are as good as new. Amazing stuff that JB Weld.

LL

Author: pecanmanwill
Subject: THIS POST IS LONG

Date: 22 Dec 2005 2:11 pm

LL--I Can vouch that JB-weld is some product, having used in some areas such as you mention on your drill and driver. Have patched several holes in sides of blocks where rod,s were thrown. Couple times had to use some screen wire as base to suspend the JB weld over the large opening. Secret is to let it dry a day or two. Engines as far as I know are still running. Fabolous product, tried other brands and they do well but I always go to JB when I need the best. Take care and may your Christmas be a good one and may God will bless you and your family with many more --Will

Author: Emmo

Date: 22 Dec 2005 2:22 pm

Just finished "welding" together a cast iron yoke last week.

Looks good and seems like it is going to work. Haven't tested it with the bell in place yet.

Looks something like this.



Amazing stuff.

LL, you probably know this but, you can sand or grind the excess epoxy to smooth any rough edges. :wink:

Author: Bill_D

Date: 22 Dec 2005 3:08 pm

you can sand down any rough edges or stick up spots of the JB Weld w/ a nice 180 grit or so sand paper, if you find it annoying on the handle of that screwdriver. I've sand a bunch off before w/ no problems. I've actually fabricated some little platice parts I could find anywhere w/ that stuff. hardedned a block of it, and got the Dremel tool out and scuplted it to what I needed, but couldnt find at the hardware store.

Author: mrmom

Date: 22 Dec 2005 3:56 pm

Bill_D wrote:
you can sand down any rough edges or stick up spots of the JB Weld w/ a nice 180 grit or so sand paper, if you find it annoying on the handle of that screwdriver. I've sand a bunch off before w/ no problems. I've actually fabricated some little platice parts I could find anywhere w/ that stuff. hardedned a block of it, and got the Dremel tool out and scuplted it to what I needed, but couldnt find at the hardware store.

Bill, good tip on fabricating stuff with JB Weld. Will keep that in mind next time I need something.

Author: Termy

Date: 22 Dec 2005 5:51 pm

I have used JB WELD many of times and I like it! Applications I have used on...

Mower handle bar breaks
Wheel reatachment
Crack in bolts
Hole in frame
Crack in engine block