How Should I Repair Torn Plastic?

[Imagebuffet]

I bought a composter from Walmart, but when I assembled it, I found that one of the sides is torn. I could still use it as it is, but I don't want that tear to remain. How should I repair the tear? The composter is made of plastic, about 1/16 inch thick.

[Dobick]

In the instruction manual there is usually a number you can call to RMA a particular part from the self assembled machinery. I would first give the customer service a try (before using it if possible) If that doesn't work you could always try duct tape. If this is going to be out in the elements, then duct tape breaks down after a not-too-long of a time.

another thought is to tape it, then reinforce the top and the bottom ends of the tear with thin strip of metal on both sides and a small bolt and nut

[CaptainG]

Get dressed and take it back to Walmart.

[alamoshutterbug]

Start a pile

[Westx]

JB Weld is your friend, but since it is new and it was torn when you opened up take it back and exchange it for a new one.

[Jeffery]

Originally Posted by CaptainG

Get dressed and take it back to Walmart.

Walmart will take returns on anything.

[pcdeatherage]

Originally Posted by bung

Walmart will take returns on anything.

not anymore...apparently since march they have changed thier ways bigtime...

[Imagebuffet]

I bought this on close-out, and it might be considered a seasonal item, so I'm not sure that a return is possible. There were only 3 others on the shelf; they might all be broken. But, I guess I'll check.

Sooner or later, this thing is likely to break, anyway. I should know how to repair it.

Imagebuffet added 46 Minutes and 11 Seconds later...Double Post Merged Below

I can't decide if my new composter looks more like Darth Vader's helmet, or a Dalek.

[Westx]

JB weld will work great to repair that if they wont take it back.

[MicWayWal]

Originally Posted by captaing

get Dressed And ...

L M A O

[gardener]

I'm really hoping that someone has told you by now that you don't need a container to compost as a moist, oft turned pile of yard waste, etc., will compost just fine on its own in about the same amount of time. At most, a simple three sided enclosure of chicken wire, old boards, or whatever will suffice nicely only in the sense that it keeps all the "stuff" from spreading out into a wider pile. Add a shovelful of native soil or a few cowpies to get the micro organisms started and you're good to go...

[venchka]

An urban homesteader and his money are soon parted.

Before Al Gore invented the INTERNET so he could fool the world with his global warming get rich quick scheme, there were buildings called libraries. They housed books. Books contained useful information. Borrowing books was free. Reading books was free. Learning stuff from books was free. Chances are good to excellent that there are free instructions for making a free compost pile in one of those free books that you get free from the library. Clothing at the library is NOT optional.

Take the busted thing back to Wally World for a refund. Next time, inspect merchandise carefully at the closeout table.

ps: That kind of plastic thing will never compost. Buying plastic with a half life longer than granite to do "the green thing" is dumb.

One more thing: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q...ompost&aqi=g10

[Imagebuffet]

I've seen a lot of home compost piles over the decades. Most of them are just unsightly mounds of kitchen trash, lying out in the yard, rarely producing anything usable. They probably weren't turned often enough, or kept moist enough, or whatever else needed to be done. This composter looked like it might help, at least in keeping the junk out of sight and from scattering around the yard. I figured that for $30, it was worth the plastic in it and I could at least get a Halloween costume out of it.

I'm want to put earthworms in it, but I'm concerned they might wander off.

Imagebuffet added 6 Minutes and 19 Seconds later...Double Post Merged Below

Originally Posted by venchka

ps: That kind of plastic thing will never compost. Buying plastic with a half life longer than granite to do "the green thing" is dumb.

One more thing: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q...ompost&aqi=g10

It's funny, but all of the first several search results you linked have a photograph or recommendation to use a commercial composter. In fact, that "Composting 101" link states,

"11. Keep your compost pile in a black plastic bin and in direct sunlight to continue the composting process through the winter. Hay bales can be used to further insulate the pile."

OK, so I have the black plastic bin.

[venchka]

Originally Posted by Imagebuffet

...

I'm want to put earthworms in it, but I'm concerned they might wander off.

That's funny.

OK, so Green People Do Gooders want to be neat & tidy. Go figure.

What's wrong with this? Made out of recycled pallets. Eventually the compost bin will be compost.



I apologize. Those links were riddled with ads to sell stuff. My bad. Books are best. The internet sucks sometimes.

[Imagebuffet]

Originally Posted by venchka

That's funny.

OK, so Green People Do Gooders want to be neat & tidy. Go figure.

FWIW, I don't consider myself a Green People person, even though I'm running around naked in woods and hugging trees. That's purely coincidence.

Originally Posted by venchka

What's wrong with this? Made out of recycled pallets. Eventually the compost bin will be compost.

Looks nice.

I might have been able to find some pallets at no charge, someplace, even though many places charge for them, these days. I might also have been able to fit one into my Honda Civic (I don't own this because I'm a Green People person). My little plastic composter is much more portable, and it cost less than those pallets (etc) probably would have cost.

Originally Posted by venchka

I apologize. Those links were riddled with ads to sell stuff. My bad. Books are best. The internet sucks sometimes.

No problem. The links were fine. I do need to figure out where the nearest library is, though. I have a library card for the City of Allen, of all places, but nothing for my own City.