Best tape for a cracked case?

[mathog]

My son's old Asus laptop's plastic case is pretty much falling apart. Two of the corners are held together with tape. That actually works pretty well but the tape eventually lets go. So far I have tried Scotch tape (transparent plastic), masking tape (paper), and some metallic tape that was laying around in the garage (no markings on the roll, no recollection what I bought it for). Of the three, the Scotch tape actually held up the best. The masking tape only held up for a couple of weeks, and the metallic tape does a very poor job, apparently because the adhesive lets go. I had hoped that the metallic would work better because I didn't expect it to stretch like the plastic and paper tapes did.

I'm thinking of trying strapping tape next.

Any other suggestions?

Electrical tape, at least the kind I have, will not work - the adhesive is too gummy and weak. The repair is just to run a bit of tape, about an inch long, from the top of the case, around the side, to the bottom. That holds the two halves together, instead of the screws which are supposed to do the job, but which don't because most of the little plastic pillars and nuts tenuously stuffed into the plastic have long since broken off.

[stj]

Re: Best tape for a cracked case?

rebuild it with plastic filler ?

[digge]

Re: Best tape for a cracked case?

There are many ways one could go about fixing that, depending on how good it has to look and what time and money you have to spend.

If you have all the parts to the broken of stands you could probably use glue to fix it, what glue depends on the plastic.

For a quick fix i would probably do something like drill small holes and put zip ties in to hold it together. That would hopefully not wear out as tape would. Beware though so you don't drill into anything that is vital. Best would probably be to take it apart for the drilling procedure.

To get more help i would suggest giving us some pictures and there are probably plenty of ways to go about doing a fix for this.

[diif]

Re: Best tape for a cracked case?

If i was doing it properly i'd reset the missing brass bits that go in the plastic from my spares.
Quick and dirty would be hot glue, works a treat.

[rs232killer]

Re: Best tape for a cracked case?

Hi
Nural 25

beware its 2 min for apply then becomes solid, to accelerate the process can be heated (softly like 100º), very handy when we need to position only small parts

[mathog]

Re: Best tape for a cracked case?

If you have all the parts to the broken of stands you could probably use glue to fix it, what glue depends on the plastic.

That was the first thing I tried, when it just started to break apart. Neither JB Weld nor a generic epoxy did the trick. The case seems to be a little flexible and eventually both of those cracked and released. It was also a total PITA setting the nuts so that the goop didn't get inside on the threads.

[rs232killer]

Re: Best tape for a cracked case?

laptop model ?

[megaraider]

Re: Best tape for a cracked case?

Just a thought...
Use the appropriate size binder clip. After placing remove both wings.

[mathog]

Re: Best tape for a cracked case?

laptop model ?

ASUS K53U-DH21

Regarding a binder clip - I think that would make things worse. It would tend to put a lot of pressure on the few points where it contacts the case, deforming it there. Yeah, I know binder clips have two flat surfaces but unless the size is just right those will not be parallel to the front and rear of the machine.

I spoke to a tech/sales person in 3M's consumer tape products line and she said they didn't have anything appropriate for this. The industrial side might, but that stuff is never to be found in a retail store, you usually have to get it through Grainger's or some other vendor. Anyway, one interesting thing she said was that the plasticizers used in the cases would tend to leach into the adhesive, softening it up over time. That had not occurred to me.

For a quick fix i would probably do something like drill small holes and put zip ties in to hold it together. That would hopefully not wear out as tape would. Beware though so you don't drill into anything that is vital. Best would probably be to take it apart for the drilling procedure.

Pretty much all the plastic columns/internal structure around the hinges on the top and bottom of the case is gone. It couldn't withstand the forces put on it by the display. There are screws running from the outside of the case, through some washers, through the case, through the hinges, then some nuts. So in the back rear corners there is nothing but the tape holding the top and the bottom of the case together. I put some of that thick felt stuff that goes on the bottom of chair and table legs over the screw heads/washers. I had considered putting screws straight through from the top to the bottom, but as I recall there was something in the way.

[rs232killer]

Re: Best tape for a cracked case?

hi mathog

see if this help anyway, it was a transportation damage only have a small crack on one corner and missing one hinge cover.

you pay only the shipping cost.

[megaraider]

Re: Best tape for a cracked case?

Yes the binder clip would have to be the exact size or just a little bigger and the gap filled with smooth double side tape.
Anyway, my country fellow @rs232killer gave you the best option, imo. Grab it

[mathog]

Re: Best tape for a cracked case?

see if this help anyway, it was a transportation damage only have a small crack on one corner and missing one hinge cover.

I'm not sure of what the proper terminology is, but my son's Asus laptop has three case components: a base, a top, and a lid. The display is in the lid, the keyboard is in the top, and the base is, well, the base, the part that sits on one's lap or on a table. Those pictures appear to only show a lid. The lid on my son's Asus is fine, in fact it is the only part of the case that isn't falling apart. Do you also have a top and a base?

[FShahid]

Re: Best tape for a cracked case?

You have a spare soldering iron and a spare (faulty) laptop keyboard keys? You can use the keys as plastic filler by placing and melting them using soldering iron. That comes handy for fixing broken base for the hinges brass screw points on most Acer Aspire laptops (most of you people already know about them breaking). That same can be used to repair plastic palmrest and base. You just have to do it slowly and in coats like you do for painting walls.
But first, for any cracks from exterior fill them using super glue and wait until dry, after that is done then you can start filling plastic from inside. That way it keeps the joints strong. Also have proper ventilation in room.
If done properly, it is almost as strong as it originally was. Much effective than that hot glue trick as you are basically joining plastic with plastic, not other material. Hope this helps, sharing the secret lol

[rs232killer]

Re: Best tape for a cracked case?

Hi

So its the bottom case and palmrest, unfortunately i don't have those.

it's the supports for hinges but only left side or right too ? can you take some pics its much easier.

[rs232killer]

Re: Best tape for a cracked case?

well
probably easier

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ASUS-A53S-K5...cAAMXQRPRTHjOG

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Asus-K53S-Pa...kAAOSwKIpWE8Ua

and cheaper

you can search for k53s bottom case and palmrest

[mathog]

Re: Best tape for a cracked case?

K53S and K53U cases are interchangeable?

[rs232killer]

Re: Best tape for a cracked case?

Hi
Sry my bad, no they are diferent but same deal :

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Asus-K53...QAAOSwl8NVdV-3

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Asus-K53...RRzHk8k2TJnuHg

The topcase is more expensive but its new

[rs232killer]

Re: Best tape for a cracked case?

If you buy those probably a good idea to remove some strength (half turn should be enough) on the hinge to soften stress on the bottom case