I have this cheap dog toy that launches tennis balls.

You pull the black handle back which has a spring inside then pull the trigger to release it. pretty simple.

The little plastic nub where the screw would screw in to, to hold the spring broke off. on the green part of the toy.

I want to fix it and make it last a lifetime hopefully.

I don't know what kind of plastic it is. I don't see any writing or stamping on the plastic.


The spring is pretty heavy when pulling it back all the way. The spring will extend 12.5" past its relaxed state. I put 13lb on the end of the spring and it stretched 5" of the 12.5" max" I am not sure the exact poundage of the spring but that should give you an idea on the strength it needs to be.

Need ideas on how to reattach something to hold the spring in place and strengthen this up at the same time.

Years ago I had some LORD Fusor® 100EZ plastic repair adhesive. I used it for making a custom bezel for my dash. It was real strong but I was not pulling on it like the toy would be doing though.

I don't have anymore but could get more if you think it would work.

The manufacture says it can be used for structural and cosmetic repair of body panels, hoods, decks, doors and all types of rigid body plastics such as Metton®, fiberglass, GTX, SMC and carbon fiber.

Any ideas on what else to use to mount the spring back securely?

Thanks

 

I've fixed plastic with JB Weld in the past and had it work well.

 

I'd probably just drill a hole right through the side and use a longer machine screw, a couple of washers, and a lock nut. Put the head of the screw on the outside and you'll barely notice it.

 

Even if you had a perfect glue to attach the two surfaces together you would still be attaching the same plastic to the same plastic that broke. You will need a stronger solution. I agree with CT to drill through, but I would add a block of aluminum on the outside and use as large a screw shaft as I could come up with. In my office machine business I have (in the past) repaired hundreds of plastic parts and most often went well beyond the original strength with great results. Where cosmetics is an issue it is more difficult, but here I don't think the dog will be upset.

Bud