Is there a way to dissolve or break down polyester fibers? (lemmy.zip)

submitted 1 year ago by ViscountMochi@lemmy.zip to c/asklemmy@lemmy.world

12 comments fedilink hide all child comments

I recently bought a shag rug for my living room. Not realizing that the motor/actuator for my electric recliner sat directly over the floor, the fibers got caught in the actuator which is now seized and no longer functions. The motor is still fine, however, so if I could find a way to dissolve the polyester fibers and clean up the actuator I could get it working without having to buy a $170 replacement.

For further clarification, the actuator is a large metal screw with a plastic piece that fits over it like a ring on a finger. The plastic piece gets bolted to the recliner's internal hardware. The only other way to "fix" it that I can think of is to break off the plastic piece but I am unable to find a replacement part.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments

[-] ViscountMochi@lemmy.zip 5 points 1 year ago

Unfortunately no, the plastic part is very tight around the screw. It’s about three inches long and I’m sure the fibers are stuck across the entire length

[-] gasgiant@lemmy.ml 4 points 1 year ago

Yes but that might not matter. It may only be sticking because the fibers are wrapped tight around the plastic part and the screw creating a lock through that tension. Cut through all the fibers wrapping round the screw and plastic part half way across. So there are fibers running in the gap and out both sides. Then start pulling at them with pliers. Some should come out. They must be able to move within that join or it would have jammed up as soon as the fibers started to enter. Rather than wrapping them round and round and then stopping.

Also unless you know exactly which plastic that ring is made from don't try chemicals on it. As you've no idea of the damage it might do to it.

this post was submitted on 26 Sep 2023

30 points (100.0% liked)

Ask Lemmy

26858 readers

1432 users here now

A Fediverse community for open-ended, thought provoking questions

Please don't post about US Politics. If you need to do this, try !politicaldiscussion@lemmy.world

Rules: (interactive)

1) Be nice and; have fun

Doxxing, trolling, sealioning, racism, and toxicity are not welcomed in AskLemmy. Remember what your mother said: if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all. In addition, the site-wide Lemmy.world terms of service also apply here. Please familiarize yourself with them

2) All posts must end with a '?'

This is sort of like Jeopardy. Please phrase all post titles in the form of a proper question ending with ?

3) No spam

Please do not flood the community with nonsense. Actual suspected spammers will be banned on site. No astroturfing.

4) NSFW is okay, within reason

Just remember to tag posts with either a content warning or a [NSFW] tag. Overtly sexual posts are not allowed, please direct them to either !asklemmyafterdark@lemmy.world or !asklemmynsfw@lemmynsfw.com. NSFW comments should be restricted to posts tagged [NSFW].

5) This is not a support community.

It is not a place for 'how do I?', type questions. If you have any questions regarding the site itself or would like to report a community, please direct them to Lemmy.world Support or email info@lemmy.world. For other questions check our partnered communities list, or use the search function.

Reminder: The terms of service apply here too.