repair plastic bins. "Box Stitching"

Have you ever had a broken/ cracked recycling bin or other large palatic storage bin? Of course you have! SO pay attention to learn how to get more use out of your stuff and keep it out of the LANDFILL. (ewww)

This instructible will show you how to "stitch" a broken plastic box back together!

Tools Required:

1. something to drill with i.e. Dremel tool or electric drill

2. zip ties, any size or color

3. diagnal pliers or scissors

Optional:

useful Black felt tip marker

Thick glue, such as silicone or hot glue

an ink pen, just the plastic tube part

Step 1 Step 1 Drilling

First look at your box. If it is completely obliterated and wont even stand up on its own, then i hate to say it but you should probably get rid of it. BUT if the crack hasnt ripped it in half or crushed it you will be able to fix it!

1. its useful to know what you will be storing in the box before you continue. Just note that if you are storing bowling balls then you should probably use more stitches than if you were just storing blankets.

2. start by using your handy-dandy MARKER to place two dots on either side of the crack, between 1/4" to 3/4" away from the crack. Now do it again about two inches or so up along the crack, and continue marking it along the entire crack length.

3. Now prepare your drilling tool and choose a drill bit size that is similiar to the width of your zip ties.

4. Drill a hole in every place you marked with the marker.

Comments

[Wulfbait]

I have successfully repaired the plastic cover under the engine bay in my car this way, but I used regular coated wire, I think it was 20 gauge. It is still working after 5 years on the roads in New England. Welding plastic is very difficult to do and usually ends up thinner than it started out, so it is more lible to break in the future. this isn't too good looking (sorta like Frankenstine) but it works on most stiff plastic.

[CaseyCase]

Welding plastic is super easy. It just takes some practice.

[RaisedByRobots]

briliiant idea thx

[Hands Without Shadows]

Many people use this method to stitch together broken atv fenders.

[Headhunter]

I have used "Artificial Sinew" (think of the webbing in a dreamcatcher) to do this to trash cans. I drilled a series of 1/8 inch holes along both sides of the tear, and used an upholstry needle to stitch it up. Repaired over 6 years ago, outside in the elements every day, still works great.

[fireplume]

Brilliant! Snowplow attacked my recycling bin...The duct tape just wasn't holding up.... this should fix it!

[zimbu_monkeygod]

Is there something you could use for the stitches other than zip ties? Because here in Arizona, zip ties do not last too long in the sun.

[MechEngineerMike]

yea i agree with erfunden, some 12 gauge wire would work pretty well if you pulled it tight with pliers.

[Erfunden]

If the zip ties don't last long, I'm guessing the bin itself will degrade pretty fast. But you could probably substitute some thick copper wire. Or maybe fishing line?

[tucklandry]

In lieu of the Dremel tool for making the holes, a hot coat hanger wire will also do the job. Heat wire to red with a propane torch.

[CaseyCase]

I recommend drilling a hole at the end of the crack so that the crack does not continue through the material. Another repair option would be trying to weld the crack with a soldering iron (or heat gun) and some compatible filler material.

[MechEngineerMike]

yea those are great ideas, who needs to throw stuff away...ever! haha