IPS Weld-On #3

[Inno]

Anyone know where I can purchase IPS Weld-On #3 within San Antonio?

[prof]

Look up plastics in the yellow pages. Anyone that sells acrylic should sell weld-on.

[georgeortiz]

Plastic supply of San Antonio carries the #3 and #16
ph # 222-8091

[Inno]

Hmmm, I spoke to tapplastics and they reported that the #16 is not safe for aquarium use because the chemicals remain in the thickening agent (remains in water column), whereas the #3 and #4 evaporate. Anyone else agree with this?

[GeorgeH]

I use Weldon 4 with 5 mixed in. I have it mixed 60/40 and it works very well up to about 1/2" thick acrylic.

[prof]

It is my understanding that all of the weld-on products are food grade safe after they cure.

[captexas]

I have gotten #4 at the plastic place off of IH35 between Rittiman and Eisenhower and they are open during the morning hours on Saturday which is a plus. They don't carry much other than that and maybe #16 I think. I ordered some #40 online, which is much cheaper and easier, from craftics.com.

[jim1000]

Regal plastics on rittaman, between I35 and harry wurzback carries most all weld-on products and their pairces are very good.

jim

[MarkS]

Regal plastics on rittaman, between I35 and harry wurzback carries most all weld-on products and their pairces are very good.

jim

Yes, but they have a $25 minimum purchase. Kind of sucks when you only need a $3 can of Weld-On. That's why I buy most of my acrylic supplies at Plastic Supply.

[matt]

First of all, I never heard of weld-on#5; and it's not on my IPS adhesives chart. Maybe you're thinking of mixing #3 and #4?

Second, #16 is basically the solvent with some acrylic resin mixed in for thickness. (I think, trying to remember) I'm pretty certain there are no chemical considerations that make it not safe for aquariums. Many, many DIY'ers have used #16 for repair and construction. Having said that, I'd add that weld-on#16 is typically pretty useless for any sort of pressure joint due to it's poor strength. I use #40 for that, which is a 2 part polimerizing cement. MUCH stronger

I can't imagine that you couldn't walk into regal and buy a can of #3. In general, though the place on josephine st, Plastic Supply of San Antonio, is more DIY friendly than the other places, which tend to serve large, commercial accounts. But, I'm sure any of the places would sell it to you. What they say on the phone is anyone's guess. I once had a place tell me on the phone that they had no stock and couldn't order any of something I was looking for. I had a friend in the business look up spartech distribution lists, and found that they did, in fact, have 10 sheets in stock. So I called the manager, told him, and they sold me the plastic. Next time I needed this stuff, same thing happened. And this is for $250/sheet spartech. The point is, not all the people that work at these places seem to care much about anything. The guys at Plastic Supply at the least are courteous and willing to talk with you. Who would have thought it would be so much trouble to buy some overpriced solvent?

Now you've patiently waded through my rant, I'll offer you some advice; use weld-on #4 instead of #3, unless you're working with less than 1/4" extruded. The joints with #4 are stronger, due to slower evaporation rate. It still works fast.

[GeorgeH]

Matt - I stand corrected. Yes it was a #3 and #4 mix to slow down the fast cure process. I just didn't like the quick time frame it took and wanted a little more time for a better weld.

[MarkS]

I can't imagine that you couldn't walk into regal and buy a can of #3.

I couldn't either, but try it. You'll be told there's a $25 minimum purchase.

[matt]

You really walked in, asked for a can of weld-on #3 and they wouldn't sell it you due to it being less than $25? Man, that's cold.

[RobertG]

Tell them you want to setup a account with them. PIA but gets you around the min. purchase. Regal here in town is great to work with. They have a nice mission statement posted here in Austin. Really good people.

[MarkS]

You really walked in, asked for a can of weld-on #3 and they wouldn't sell it you due to it being less than $25? Man, that's cold.

Cold, but true. I had to buy pieces of acrylic for a project I was planning just so I could get a bottle of #40 to experiment with.

Robert, I never thought of that. I'm not running a business so why should I need an account? Got to try it.