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submitted 1 month ago by punksnotdead@slrpnk.net to c/diy@slrpnk.net

Hi DIY!

My headphones of many years recently broke. My first response was to attempt to glue them back together with super glue (ethyl 2-cyanoacrylate) however that didn't seem to hold. Not even a little bit.

I then did a bit of searching and found that Sony often use ABS plastic in headphone manufacture, so presumably these are ABS. I then read super glue should work okay on ABS, however there seemed to be no bonding happening at all.

Do any of you have any tips for the best kind of glue or epoxy to bond these plastic parts back together and get the music flowing again?

I plan on wrapping the joints in thread afterwards, for additional durability. But first I need to get them bonded.

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[-] LuxSpark@lemmy.cafe 41 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

I would make some metal rods to insert in the holes left in the hollow plastic. Epoxy those in place on both sides to reinforce the joints which will have stress on them. I think that is the only chance you have of repairing broken plastic like this with little surface area to bond. You could look around and find some nails or something to cut up.

[-] punksnotdead@slrpnk.net 8 points 1 month ago

Great idea! I'll give that a go, thanks. Reinforcement rods, adhesive, and thread wrap around the outside should surely be enough

[-] FiniteBanjo@feddit.online 4 points 1 month ago

Might be able to find some wire in an electrical or automotive store. 20 guage is about a millimeter or less, 12 guage is between 2 and 3 mm. Do you have calipers to take a measurement?

Wire Coat Hanger might fit, will be harder so a better reinforcement.

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[-] Rooster326@programming.dev 4 points 1 month ago

This is just called plastic welding and it's fantastic

[-] in_my_honest_opinion@piefed.social 4 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

@punksnotdead@slrpnk.net I would suggest carbon fiber rods or aluminum, ferris metal could interfere with the bluetooth radio depending on their shape.

[-] punksnotdead@slrpnk.net 4 points 1 month ago

Somebody suggested wooden dowels so I'll probably try that just because I have scrap wood lying about anyway and it's easy to carve into shape. Thanks!

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[-] David_Eight@lemmy.world 19 points 1 month ago

Maybe try JB-Weld? Idk if super glue will hold up here.

[-] punksnotdead@slrpnk.net 9 points 1 month ago

Great for:

  • PVC
  • ABS
  • Rigid plastics

https://www.jbweld.co.uk/copy-of-marineweldsyr-25ml

This may be a winner, thanks!

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[-] el_twitto@lemmy.zip 7 points 1 month ago

Came here to say this. JB-Weld is really great stuff. I've fixed a lot of things with it.

[-] nocturne@slrpnk.net 7 points 1 month ago

Jb weld was going to be my suggestion too. Good luck OP

[-] CubitOom@infosec.pub 6 points 1 month ago

There is a jb-weild specific for plastic that works well

[-] PunnyName@lemmy.world 19 points 1 month ago
[-] punksnotdead@slrpnk.net 4 points 1 month ago

Bookmarked! Thank you

[-] SaveTheTuaHawk@lemmy.ca 13 points 1 month ago

Glues are fucking useless unless you have a large surface area to bond. Headphones don't use ABS, too brittle. The use polycarbonate on the hoop that breaks and that doesn't bond well with glue.

Hot staples are an option because the embed steel wire into the plastic. These kits are cheap now and very common in automotive plastic repair because glue is universally useless.

If it’s ABS (which most thugs are) try methyl ethyl ketone to melt it back together.

Just a dab of MEK will melt the plastic, but it evaporates/dissolves quickly. Once you apply it press the pies together firmly for a few minutes, then let it cure for a while after that. The bond should be as strong as it was from the factor. Then if you want apply some JB weld for extra strength.

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[-] perestroika@slrpnk.net 8 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)
  • fix the pieces in their intended position (maybe with a droplet of epoxy)
  • bring out a dedicated soldering tip (you won't be soldering with it any more) and 3D printer filament of the same plastic
  • weld carefully with a low-temperature iron, in a well ventilated place (maybe outdoors)
[-] iocase@lemmy.zip 5 points 1 month ago

You can also weld in metal wire with a soldering iron. I've done repairs that way before and it works quite well as long as the two pieces can't move and fatigue the metal.

[-] Murse@slrpnk.net 8 points 1 month ago

If the adhesive route fails, it looks like there are replacement parts available, but your mileage may vary when it comes to the source. Not seeing anything official, but ebay has a few hits: https://www.ebay.com/itm/204942975498

Might also try just calling Sony support, but iirc their support is fairly shit.

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[-] oyzmo@piefed.social 8 points 1 month ago

I bought a cheap Temu plastic repair welder (melts in a little metall pin) - they actually work and the results are surprisingly strong.

[-] WolvenSpectre@lemmy.ca 7 points 1 month ago

UV Glue will fix that no problems, and the glue will be stronger than the underlying plastic.

[-] Blue_Morpho@lemmy.world 5 points 1 month ago

The problem with uv glue is it needs light to cure. So it can't be used to fill that broken area or inside the break itself. It can only coat the outside.

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[-] punksnotdead@slrpnk.net 3 points 1 month ago

I didn't even know there was such a thing. Buying a UV lamp for a single repair when other options are available feels a bit antithetical to the Solarpunk ethos though, so I think I'll try normal glues first. But hey, if all else fails, at least I know there's a nuclear option as plan b. Thanks!

[-] NaibofTabr@infosec.pub 9 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

There is a JB Weld UV glue product that comes with a UV LED attached:

https://www.jbweld.com/product/superweld-light-activated

It's a blend, not pure UV resin, that will harden quickly where the light hits it but will also slowly cure without UV exposure, so the inner parts of the joint will harden over time.

I use this and I've found that it is almost as good as standard 2-part epoxy in most cases, and easier to use.

[-] NotBillMurray@lemmy.world 7 points 1 month ago

You can also cure UV glue in sunlight. It's a bit of a pain and can take longer, but it's an option.

[-] punksnotdead@slrpnk.net 8 points 1 month ago

Solar~~punk~~glue. Hmm...

[-] grue@lemmy.world 4 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

If you're trying to be true to the "solarpunk ethos," do you really think this is the last repair you'll ever do?

I, for one, have never regretted letting a 'one time' project be an excuse to get a new type of tool.

(Just don't get the disposable UV light another reply mentioned; that really is a bit wasteful. If you decide to go the UV glue route, get an inexpensive but proper standalone UV flashlight.)

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[-] Honytawk@discuss.tchncs.de 7 points 1 month ago

Gloop gets used in 3d printing. It physically welds the bonds together on a molecular level between 2 plastics.

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[-] zod000@lemmy.dbzer0.com 7 points 1 month ago

I'll be honest, you're probably not going to be able to fix those to a degree that I'd trust. Some headphones are reparable and have replaceable parts, and that isn't one of them. I've had really good luck with Audio-Technica and Beyer Dynamic in that department, but most of their more sturdy and repairable headphones aren't very portable.

[-] Pennywise@piefed.social 6 points 1 month ago

That looks like toast.

3D printed replacement parts might work. If you have a maker space around you, you might be able to find someone to help you with the drafting/CAD.

[-] burgleyerturts@lemmy.world 6 points 1 month ago

Try layering several times with super glue and tissue paper.

[-] punksnotdead@slrpnk.net 3 points 1 month ago

Oh I've never heard of that method before! I'll keep it in my back pocket as a last resort if all else fails, thank you

[-] betterdeadthanreddit@lemmy.world 6 points 1 month ago

I've done some awful things with various 2-part epoxies, maybe try one of those with a piece of dowel in the square holes? Not sure exactly what you have to work with there but that might give you a little extra support from inside while your glue of choice just has to keep the rod from slipping. Start with one a little larger than the holes and sand the sides flat until it fits with a little extra space, add glue, press together, let it cure.

For bonus points, you can scratch up the inside of the plastic with a rolled-up piece of coarse sandpaper or something to try and give the glue an extra foothold.

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[-] YiddishMcSquidish@lemmy.today 5 points 1 month ago

This is a tough one, mainly cause of the strains experienced in that position. If you're daring, maybe try some acetone to "melt" and refuse the plastic. I don't think an adhesive is going to be much help unless you cake it in epoxy, and reinforce the stress point.

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[-] LurkingLuddite@piefed.social 5 points 1 month ago

physical reinforcement is a good suggestion lots are coming up with. If it's not too late, I'd recommend doing that with something that dissolves the ABS instead of an adhesive. ABS dissolves readily with a few solvents, like acetone. Get physical reinforcement in place, and IF you do not need any bulk filler, just use a solvent like acetone to literally melt and repolymerize the plastic back together. As long as there's no new gaps or new voids, the physical reinforcement should leave it stronger than the original. At least after all the solvent evaporates away.

If you need gap filler or bulk reinforcement, two part epoxies are definitely the way to go, though make sure to use something quite flexible or it'll just crack off the next time you drop them.

[-] BenLeMan@lemmy.world 3 points 1 month ago

Speaking of physical reinforcement, when my headphones broke in a very similar way I was able to use cable ties to secure them back together. Ugly but it worked.

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[-] TimeNaan@lemmy.world 5 points 1 month ago

Superglue sprinkled with baking soda creates incredibly strong bonds. But you'll need to add it all around the seam to make a thick layer.

I also recommend first scratching the plastic with sandpaper so that there's something for the glue to hold on to.

[-] Mandarbmax@lemmy.world 5 points 1 month ago

As others have said, copious amounts of super glue or epoxy. Pro tip for the super glue is to sprinkle baking soda on it to speed up the cure time.

[-] punksnotdead@slrpnk.net 5 points 1 month ago

Like the layering glue and tissue paper idea, I've never heard of this but a quick search shows you're not speaking gibberish. I'll remember that one for future repairs, thanks!

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[-] terranoid@lemmy.cafe 5 points 1 month ago

Not sure i would use a plastic stapler/welder for something like this with small electronics but it is for plastic ... If you're careful it might work long term. Just be clean and accurate and don't leave pointy bits that could cut you. The staples need to be trimmed after and it would be best to melt more plastic over it probably.

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[-] Hayduke@lemmy.world 4 points 1 month ago

Acetone can join ABS because it is a solevent for that particular plastic and will mix the two treated surfaces at the molecular level. It would be wise to add some additional material in the hollow area such as an epoxy putty (jb weld as suggested elsewhere), but it should create a stronger bond between the broken pieces.

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[-] 4am@lemmy.zip 4 points 1 month ago

Loc-Tite Plastic Bonder has worked well for me in these situations, but sometimes it just doesn’t seem to take well; other times it holds better than the original plastic does. Worth a shot?

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[-] HootinNHollerin@lemmy.dbzer0.com 4 points 1 month ago

5 minute 2-part epoxy. Buy the individual packets rather than the bottles so ya dont get solidified wasted bottles.

[-] HerbGrower@slrpnk.net 4 points 1 month ago

Ouch, I used hot glue for mine but its not great at holding to the surface, I just had a massive surface to make use of and pretty much made a ring of glue around the break. Doesn't look like yours would work with that sadly.

So, probably don't go with hot glue.

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[-] DarrinBrunner@lemmy.world 3 points 1 month ago

Whatever you do, don't break that wire, it's nearly impossible to DIY repair.

[-] ikidd@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 points 1 month ago

You can glue it, it won't work. When you've tried all of them, get a plastic staple gun and make it ugly, but fixed.

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this post was submitted on 11 Aug 2026
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