Found a $3 fix for a cracked laptop hinge that actually worked

My 5 year old Dell laptop hinge cracked right down the middle last month. I looked up replacement parts and they wanted $40 plus shipping. Someone on another forum mentioned using Sugru, that moldable glue stuff. I picked up a pack at Target for $3.50 and shaped it around the hinge joint. It's been holding solid for 3 weeks now. Has anyone else used weird glue or putty as a temporary repair?.

3 comments

3 Comments

margaret9917d ago

Sugru is actually a GREAT call for hinge repairs, I've used it on three different laptops now and it's never let me down. Gotta make sure you really work it into the crack and spread it smooth so it bonds tight. One thing I'll add - clean the plastic with rubbing alcohol first or the glue won't stick worth a damn. JB Weld works too if you want something even stronger, just mix up a tiny bit and apply with a toothpick. Both are under $10 and way cheaper than the official replacement shell that'll probably crack again in a year anyway. Good temporary fix that really can become permanent if you don't move the hinge much.

hart.mark16d ago

Yeah the "work it into the crack and spread it smooth" thing @margaret99 said is key, I learned that the hard way my first time. If you just glob it on top it'll pop right off when you close the lid. I also started using a little piece of fiberglass drywall tape embedded in the sugru for extra strength, works way better than sugru alone. The tape gives it something to grab onto and keeps it from cracking along the same line again.

carr.gavin16d ago

Two days after I sugru'd my hinge I shut the laptop too hard and it broke in a new spot so now I've got a little gray lump sculpture going. @margaret99 is right about the rubbing alcohol though, that first glob popped off like a cheap sticker.