How do I fix this faucet handle?

April 21, 2022 10:54 AM

What kind of glue is strong enough to fix this faucet handle? It broke off right where it connects to the metal orb. I glued it with gorilla glue but it fell off again after a month.

The white part is wooden and heavy and the glue isn’t strong enough to hold it up. I need to glue the small metal circle part to the metal orb thing. Thank you!

posted by dianeF to Home & Garden (9 answers total)

I don't think you'll find a glue that can cope with holding together a joint that small, given that there's so much leverage available to break it.

If I had broken that handle and couldn't find a compatible replacement, I would not even bother trying glue. Instead, I'd file both faces of the break flat and square, then drill holes into the centres of both, then tap those holes, then use a short length of threaded rod to screw the parts back together.
posted by flabdablet at 11:04 AM on April 21, 2022 [10 favorites]

I agree with flabdablet. (Matching replacements is probably the best option.) But, if you do want to give it another shot, J-B Weld might be worth a try. Get the two-part, non-quick-curing stuff meant for your materials. Sand both surfaces with very coarse sand paper or abrasive pads first, then wash away all the dust and let them dry. It still might not work.
posted by eotvos at 11:09 AM on April 21, 2022 [1 favorite]

If it doesn't, you can be pretty sure that no other glue will. J B Weld is strong stuff.
posted by flabdablet at 11:12 AM on April 21, 2022 [3 favorites]

You can almost certainly get a replacement. The white part is probably porcelain.
posted by theora55 at 12:38 PM on April 21, 2022 [2 favorites]

Try Here
posted by OHenryPacey at 12:54 PM on April 21, 2022 [2 favorites]

Try Home Depot. Replacement is easy and cheap. Shouldn't be more than $5.95.
posted by Oyéah at 4:29 PM on April 21, 2022 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: Thanks, guys! I’m going to try JB Weld and then look for a replacement if it doesn’t work. That glue site is handy, thank you.
posted by dianeF at 6:51 PM on April 21, 2022

If you're getting your JB Weld from a hardware store, check what they have in suitable replacement handles while you're there. Take the unbroken one in with you so you can restrict your search to only those that will fit. JB Weld is pretty expensive as glues go, and you might even find that a pair of replacement handles costs less.
posted by flabdablet at 8:05 PM on April 21, 2022 [2 favorites]

This appears to be your handle at Home Depot and it's $6.
posted by kschang at 9:57 PM on April 21, 2022 [3 favorites]