On Dec 21, 2013, at 11:59 AM, Larry Alofs <lalofs@gmail.com> wrote:

One of my big questions is about how to identify
the type of plastic you are working on.  I understand that it is important
to use the same type of filler rod if needed.

The one I used (wasn't mine) was about a $300.00 unit, blown-air type with
the heated coil in it. Didn't seem to make any difference between the
rods we used, vs the material we cut off the tank, and blended them
while welding the tank back together. All the material was black so
in the end, we couldn't see any difference between the two kinds
of plastic. They may have been almost identical, I don't know.

That welder got the material so hot that anything you pointed the
nozzle at would become a thick liquid within a few seconds. Made
welding the tank back together really easy. I think it took longer to
cut the section out of the tank than weld it back together.

bob