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Jack in the Box gets a new life. Plastic and metal repairs.

Before Jack in the Box

Fifty year old Jack in the Box as delivered to us.

The beginning

We take on a lot of unusual projects, but this one really stands out. When Jack first arrived, he was only half there, faded and broken.

The customer said the only other one left was at Jack in the Box’s Corp offices. Since then a few more turned up.

He wanted it restored to original.

He called several other plastic companies but none were interested in his project. A couple suggested calling Bell Plastics but because we were so far away he did not want to make the trip. Finally, he had business locally and decided to bring Jack with him. He was surprised when I said “no big deal”.

Jack in the Box, Metal and plastic repairs

First of all, we took it apart.

The steel frame was sandblasted, missing parts were replaced, repaired and re-welded.

A missing access door was made to close up the top sheet metal.

Later the frame was powder coated to match the original color.

Using 3 different plastics and 7 different colors of plastic. Jack got new ears, hair, hat and collar. We also made spare parts.

A new speaker box cover was made and powder coated black.

Acrylic sign boards with custom vinyl letters filled in the missing sides.

A new custom steel stand raised it back off the ground and finished the project.

The customer was very happy with the finished piece. He has installed it in his backyard.

LINK to custom fabrication page

Jack In the Box finished

The end, happy customer!

Because almost all of the work was in house, we got it done in weeks, not months.

Finally, when done, it looked just like the original.

Since this one, we have help two others to repair their Jack in the Box heads.

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Repairing plastic parts, Rebuilding & Replacing

Repairing plastic parts take all kinds of shapes. What about that vintage dresser with the glass-front drawers that you inherited from Aunt Mildred. (Everyone has an Aunt Mildred, don’t they?) Maybe that old crack isn’t giving it ‘character’ so much as becoming safety hazard?

We can fix that for you, too!

Here you can see that we’ve found the perfect color of green textured acrylic and bent it specifically to the existing drawer-front. Good as new!

Vintage Glass Dresser Drawer

Industrial tanks have thousands of applications and each type has its own properties and purpose. Tanks can be a substantial investment in the infrastructure of your company, and a necessary expense if you have to replace them. But when the flange on your tank starts leaking, or is worn, or has grime in the seals, who do you call?

Tank Flanges Before & After

Us!

Because we can custom-fit new flanges, repair leaky tanks, even replace old and leaky fittings so you don’t have to replace your entire tank.
*Yes, it’s NOT the same flange & tank. It’s just an example?

LINK to Custom Plastics Fab Page

Here, we used the original frosted glass bell to make a mold, then used it to form the plastic version. We fabricated the new parts with frosted acrylic and then buffed them to match the old parts. Side by side, the differences are obvious, but once hung, the new blended in beautifully with the old.

Bell Light Fixture Old & New

If you have something you’ve been thinking might be nicer with a little care and TLC, bring it by and get a quote. We’d love to help renew your old goods and make them beautiful again!

KAYAK REPAIR STEPS

Repairing plastic parts

The customer had a Kayak that someone cut a piece out of the bottom of the hull.  Luckily they still had the missing piece. We beveled both the hull and its missing piece. Then we tacked the missing piece back in place with a plastic welder. We didn’t have any welding rod that matched the boat so we used white to weld the piece back in place. The last thing we did was remove the extra welds and smoothed out the bottom of the hull.

Airstream Trailer Windows

We can fix that for you!

Here, you can see the old faded Airstream trailer window with a large break in it side by side with the new window that we created to replace it. It’s so shiny!

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Airstream window replacement Custom plastic windows

Airstream Window Replacement

Airstream trailers have been traveling along American highways since the 1920s. They managed to maintain production through the Great Depression by providing a living space for families displaced. Only during World War II, when aluminum was at a premium, did they cease operations completely. After the war they came back and have grown in popularity ever since.

Airstream Window Replacement boat window in frame

For a while Airstream built the trailers in Germany. When Airstream stopped making the trailers in Germany 700 plus owners were left without replacement windows.

Airstream Window Replacement before and after

Replacement Airstream window. Before and after.

Replacement Airstream window. Before and after.

Airstream Window Replacement

The window had three thick layers making an air tight, twin wall, window that insulated the trailer.  Like most windows we get, it came in kit form and had to be taped back together with some large pieces missing. Because of the missing pieces we had to make molds before making the new windows.

We make hundreds of replacement windows and windshields.

LINK to custom bending

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Tiger Mech Costume Fanime 2012 show stopper

Tiger Mech Costume a Fanime 2012 show stopper!

Costume creation gives us a break from the usual!

Bringing fantasy costume dreams to reality are some of our favorite projects. But when the stars align, the design is right, and the time-frames work, we love to custom build costumes.

So when a customer came to us for help with his Tiger Mech suit for Fanime 2012, we wholeheartedly embraced the challenge!

We only made the molds, vacuum formed and lightly trimmed the pieces. Our customer did all the finish work. He also attached all pieces to the suit.

Tiger Mech costom at fanima

We worked from!

He gave us a 6 inch Tiger Mech figure and a few photos to work from.

The helmet crest piece, in translucent green acrylic, is stunning!

Our customer had a great time at Fanime 2012, everyone want to know where he got his costume. He put 150 plus hours into the little details. I would think their hearts skipped a beat when they heard the cost.

I believe there are 16 different molds 4 of the molds were used for 2 parts. Plus 6 parts that did require molds. Totaling 26 parts plus a few spares.

We still make him a few parts for his new costumes.

LINK to Vacuum Forming Page

Check out our slideshow below for details of some of our work on this costume!

Most of the parts are vacuum formed using acrylic and styrene.

Tiger Mech costume 2012 Fanime