Eyeglass repair: What You Should Know

Whether they are made of plastic or metal, most eyeglass frames today are guaranteed to be strong and durable. There's a wide variety available in stores in both kinds of materials, so the choice between the two materials is really a matter of personal preference.

If you are thinking of choosing between the two, here are some things you should think about:

• Plastics are slightly heavier than their metal counterparts since the frames tend to be a little thicker and more rigid to make it seem sturdier.

• Metals allow slightly more flexibility and are lighter in terms of weight.

• Metal eyeglass frames are recommended for people who like sports and go to sporting environment a lot.

• Plastic eyeglass frames tend to lose adjustability quicker than metal frames, so owners often have to stop frequently to have their glasses tightened and adjusted.

• Owners of eyeglasses with metal frame usually the arms, or the parts that connect the frames to the handles, tend to break off frequently unless there are spring hinges in them.

Because owning a pair of eyeglasses also means that you deal with a lot of tightening and adjusting, not to mention missing screws, owners should also have an eyeglass repair kit handy.

If you own eyeglasses with metal frames, it is likely that you have to do ball screw repair. Here are some tips on metal eyeglass repair:

1. Have a magnifying glass handy to check if small screws are missing or if the hinge broke off.
2. Use pliers with the tips covered with duct or masking tape so the frames or the lenses won't be scratched. For stretched out hinges, bend them gently back into place using the pliers.
3. For loose hinges you can loop an orthodontic rubber band or a small rubber ring over the hinges to clamp it in place temporarily.
4. Eyeglass repair kits should have tiny screwdrivers for tightening loose screws.
5. Repair kits should also have spare screws to replace missing ones. If the spare screws do not fit, don't force them because might scratch out the threads where the screws should go.
6. After repairing the hinges, put a tiny bit of clear nail polish on the replacement to hold it in place then let it dry.

Replacing eyeglasses with plastic frames can be very expensive, especially for people who like wearing designer glasses. However, they are fairly easy to repair. Here how to do some plastic repair.

• Plastic can be welded. Check the type of plastic that are used in the frames to determine the type of plastic that can be used for welding. You can find this information in the inside of the arms. If the code is not visible, phone or email the manufacturer to know the plastic type.

• Clean the plastic with rubbing alcohol using a paper towel to remove oils from the hair and face that are on the plastic. These oils can prevent proper reattachment.

• Have an assistant to help keep the broken pieces of the frame aligned while you weld. This way, you can avoid using clamps for welding since these are often too heavy duty and can fracture or dent the plastic.