Gluing a big cracked pot

JohnS37

Don’t know if anyone can advise me on this -
I bought a very large (900mm dia x 950mm high) stoneware pot at the garden centre today, knowing that it was cracked - major discount!
It is still whole, in one piece and no bits are missing, but there are two cracks, one on each side, going about half way down from the top.  Maximum gap at top rim is about a third of a millimetre.
Two strong lads managed to put it in the back of my SUV without further damage, and it survived the 16 mile journey home.
I would like to strengthen it before taking it out of the car if possible.
Can anyone suggest the best adhesive?
And, given that it’s unlikely that I will be able to get any glue to penetrate the whole of the crack(s), is it better to glue near the start of the crack or at the rim end of the crack where it is widest?
Many thanks for reading, if you got this far (!) -any suggestions very welcome.

boogieman

I’d use an epoxy glue, like Araldite. If it’s a decent sized crack that you can actually squeeze some stuff into, it might be worth using an epoxy putty. 

Simonh

look at UV cure glues, that will give them a chance to penetrate into the pot for the best adhesion

Roland

First I’d put a band around the pot because there’s a risk that it will crack apart. It’s not just knocks which can do that. Water, frost, the weight of soil, and even root pressure can do it.

After that I’d try cyanoacrylic glue because it likes to creep into cracks and porous materials. So it can bridge cracks and also strengthen the material at their edges.

Kittyfrisk

I'd try Marine epoxy to stick the parts together & run a band of copper adhesive tape round the break. It will weather down to look good, strengthen the break and supposedly deter slugs & snails from crossing it.
Also, as this is a guitar forum, any spare copper tape can be used to line guitar cavities 

poopot

Wire mesh and concrete on the inside of the pot....

you won’t see that once it’s full up with begonias!

JohnS37

Wow!  Some sensible solutions there guys - thank you all very much.  I’m still mulling over which way to go.  It may depend on how quickly I can get the glue, since the missus wants to use the car asap!  Will also be re-inforcing it one way or another.

WezV

Epoxy.   Use a suction cup to force it into the cracks

proggy

Pretend it used to belong to your grandad and go on The Repair Shop.

Job done.

ICBM

WezV said:

Epoxy.   Use a suction cup to force it into the cracks

It might also be worth warming it with a hairdryer - it thins the glue and makes it flow better into cracks and soak into the surface of the material. I doubt there’s much risk of further cracking if it’s already survived being lifted and a car journey.

PolarityMan

I can see that none of you lot are actual musicians cos the right answer is clearly gaffa tape.

WezV

ICBM said:

WezV said:

Epoxy.   Use a suction cup to force it into the cracks

It might also be worth warming it with a hairdryer - it thins the glue and makes it flow better into cracks and soak into the surface of the material. I doubt there’s much risk of further cracking if it’s already survived being lifted and a car journey.

good point, I almost always use the stuff warm.   often sit my bottles in hot water for a few minutes before mixing

RaymondLin

Gold, like the Japanese.

"Kintsugi - is the Japanese art of putting broken pottery pieces back together with gold — built on the idea that in embracing flaws and imperfections, you can create an even stronger, more beautiful piece of art."

Or may be not.

JohnS37

RaymondLin said:

Gold, like the Japanese.

"Kintsugi - is the Japanese art of putting broken pottery pieces back together with gold — built on the idea that in embracing flaws and imperfections, you can create an even stronger, more beautiful piece of art."

Or may be not.

Lovely idea, but this thing is BIG, might be out of my price range!