"What glue to use for scratch building?" Topic

I have used super glue in the past, but if you do not finish the project right away the tube goes hard and useless.

I am looking for a general purpose glue that will work on all plastics as well as metal parts and pins.

What is everyone else using?

No such beast. Glues can have very different effects on different materials. Cyanoacrylates are great on non-porous material with a tight fit. To get good gap filling you need to use an epoxy. Highly porous material such as paper products are best attached with white glues.

I have at least 5 different glues in my ready box.

Right, was not looking to use much in the way of paper, maybe a bit of cardstock, but white glue will not always stick to smooth surfaces.

Just looking at other options for glue. I have not tried any two part apoxy or gorilla glue.

Gorilla glue expands as it dries so it may not be your best bet.

Not mentioned so far:
1. Silicon glues (such as Goop) work for some applications as well.
2. Plus there's hot glue (both high temp and low temp).

As already mentioned, it all depends upon what you are gluing and how strong the bond needs to be.

Rob

Ok, yeah I did not know that. Other the testors plastic cement I have not had a lot of experience with glues.

I forgot all about having a hot glue gun here.

A good epoxy should work on most substances.

Been using 2 part apoxy for metal on metal and metal on plastic for many (too many) years.

Plastic on plasic I use plastic cement but must give time for it to dry.

White glue is great for paper, wood and over large areas (building walls together for example) but drying times are such that it must be supported while drying for structures. Picked up lego blocks and can make a 90 degree wall support that I use my clamps on.

I use super glue only for field (at games) repairs.

Never used hot glue :(

Here is my recommendation, Mitre Fast from Ever Build.

I have been using it for years – plastics, metals, wood and resin, One Glue to Rule them All.

link

Tony

For large surfaces I use white glue, which fills gaps and dries clear. Clamping or supporting with Lego bricks may be required while drying as already mentioned.

For smaller areas which require strength then I use a 2-part epoxy. When used with pins and mixed in the correct proportion the strength is fantastic.

Here's the main 2 that I have on my table and will cover most things:
-A water-thin general plastic solvent (polystyrene, ABS, etc), usually Plastruct "Plastic-weld" or just a bottle of MEK. Get something with a brush applicator.
-A water thin superglue, usually BSI brand "Instacure"
-A gap filling gel superglue like Gorrilla "Impact Tough" superglue not to be confused with Gorilla Glue.

When the going gets tough, (usually when soft plastics are involved):
-2 part epoxy. Buy the 2 bottles, the double syringe/plunger applicator is always a mess.
-PVC solvent cement. (Nasty stuff)

For Terrain or basing I often also use:
-Premixed Concrete patch. It's texture and adhesive in one. I love this stuff.
-Hot Glue gun
-PVA (wood glue, elmers, tacky glue, etc) supposedly general use, but I use it much less now.

I've posted this before link but it bears repeating. When it comes to adhesives there are horses for courses.

Warglue?

TMP link

somebody had to say it…

Gorilla Super Glue lasts in the bottle, my current bottle is several months old and still gluing. Probably slightly past its prime at the moment, but it's way better than those tubes.

CA (super) glue can be had in bottles that will stay useful for longer than the little tubes. You can get different viscosities and drying times, an accelerator spray for when you want the slow one to set faster, and debonders for when your fingers are stuck together.

(My wedding band was already difficult to remove but … suffice it to say the debonder was very much needed.)

I use CA (super) glue for almost everything, I buy it at the model shop in the larger squeeze containers that last a long time. I use pins when necessary to create a good bond.

The exceptions are model cement for plastic to plastic bonds and Super 77 spray adhesive for foam and fabric.

Lots of good options. Thanks guys…

Super Glue that has been rubberised is a great all round choice