Now and then I want to dissolve PLA plastic from a magnet I am trying to recover. Acetone softens things up but not very well for PLA. Any ideas of reasonably safe chemicals they can dissolve PLA?

 

A quick search found this. Safe, will that's what PPE is for.
https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg/npgd0602.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetrahydrofuran

THF is used as a solvent in 3D printing when printing with PLA, PETG and substantially similar filaments. It can be used to clean clogged 3D printer parts, to remove extruder lines and add a shine to the finished product as well as to solvent weld printed parts.

 

I saw this chemical during a previous search. The MDSS sheet reads like a horror novel.In the old days I would put on gloves an go on and use it. but since gloves are not something I could put on, it's a no go.

 

I saw this chemical during a previous search. The MDSS sheet reads like a horror novel.In the old days I would put on gloves an go on and use it. but since gloves are not something I could put on, it's a no go.

It's unlikely you will find a alternate 'safe' solvent that doesn't have a similar MSDS.

Acetone
https://www.fishersci.com/msds?productName=AC177170100&productDescription=ACETO

The PPE you use for that should be sufficient in an open space.

 

Dichloromethane.

 

Doesn't seem nearly so toxic, so maybe, both would make a good glue?

 

Dichloromethane (DCM) works as a good glue for bonding PLA as well as Perspex, Plexiglas, (PMMA).
It melts plastic and evaporates quickly, causing the fractured pieces to bond.

The trick is to hold together the parts to be joined or mended. Use a fine needle syringe to apply drops of DCM to the crack. The liquid will quickly seep into the crack by capillary action. You don't need a lot of DCM. Just one drop will do for a small crack.