older compostumbler with split in side - how to stabilize?

[cathleenc]

we just bought an older compostumbler, via craigslist, for a good price. We knew it had a few cracks when buying it - but it is worth the price to see if they fit our need before investing in something considerably more expensive.

The cracks are one per side, each of them fairly identical - running from the outside edge to the ventilation hole on the side, maybe 3-4" in. When the compostumbler is turned you can see the cracks widening maybe 1/2" as the stress of the full load pulls on that half of the barrel.

Any ideas on what to do to stabilize? We're thinking of drilling holes and putting metal straps across to prevent full loads from stretching/straining the crack any further. If you have a better idea - or reason to NOt do our idea - could you please share?

thanks!
Cathy

[woodsman]

That's how I fixed my plastic wheelbarrow. Still holding good after 2 years. I drilled 1/8" holes about 1/2" from the edge on both sides of the crack and then run steel wire through each pair of holes and twisted it underneath. You might also want to drill 1/4" holes at the end of the crack to prevent it from splitting any further.