A good glue for layout items?

I've had good luck with "Gorilla" brand super glue gel.

It was recommended by another member on another thread.

I find CA accelerators (such as Zip Kicker) to be indispensable. They will cause the glue to set instantly. I am told that sprinkling baking soda on the glue will do the same, although I have never tried it.

Gorilla glue and also for more holding power an epoxy that you mix up like lock tite and JB weld.

Paul Kallus posted:

I've been using Super glue gel - but I have to say I am disappointed in its long dry time - and it does not do a good job holding non-porous plastic (meaning real smooth plastics) together.

I never use the gel forms; did long ago but too problematic and too wasteful; only CA I use is medium viscosity CA Zap-a-Gap.

 Is there any better glue for attaching plastic to plastic, plastic to wood, etc? I prefer something I can buy at the hardware centers or Walmart.

Could use more specific info here - plastic to plastic generally best uses a solvent based glue to weld the plastic together.  Plastic to wood can be a problem. I use a film of Goo on the wood, particularly if end grain is involved, and CA on the plastic.  Might be able to substitute Pliobond for the Goo....

Yes, what are you trying to put together ?   For my large scale trains I use a hot glue gun to place passengers in their seats or perhaps an engineer in his rightful place.  It works very well and the item can easily be removed just by placing the loco or car in the fridge for ten minutes.  

I can see many uses for hot glue on an indoor "O" scale layout.  Scenery like trees and figures can be held in place with hot glue.  Buildings can also be adhered to the surface with hot glue.  

Hot glue will also work on smooth surfaces, especially in an indoor atmosphere where it will not get hard.  

I picked up some Lazer Bond from Walmart, its like super glue but it wont get hard till you shine the UV light on it and it has dried for me with in 5 seconds. and sofar it holds strong.

Besides the solvents for plastic to plastic as MWB mentioned (ex. Plastruct Bondene) , other "glues" I have had success with are:  I use wood Luan " I had plenty of this material to use when I replace all my interior doors in the house" to construct my buildings etc. I use DAP Weldwood  contact cement to attach plastic or paper to the wood. I use Liquid Nails for surfaces that may come in contact with styrafoam. Of course Elmers carpenter Wood Glue works on wood to wood.  Aleenes Original Tacky Glue drys clear, good for landscape items. Never used it on structural items. Wally World/Lowes etc. has these items.

Avanti posted:

I find CA accelerators (such as Zip Kicker) to be indispensable. They will cause the glue to set instantly. I am told that sprinkling baking soda on the glue will do the same, although I have never tried it.

Baking soda works just like "KICKER".

Downside, the soda does not completely dissolve and will leave a residue that may need to be sanded away if it is in an area that is visible. Sanding a CA type area with the soda applied is very time consuming.

Stick with the CA glues and use "kicker" for a permanent solution.

For items (figures, etc) that you want to move around, get that waxy stuff that Scenic Express sells. Roll it between your fingers and stick it down.

Just my opinions...obviously everybody has different ideas.

Donald

Thanks all. I have seen Gorilla Glue at the usual stores. I've also used hot glue gun for many applications...but for fine-point work I don't think it'll work as the gun dispenses it in a drop-size glob.

My next project is to glue plastic plate girder bridges to the edges of plywood. Is the DAP Weldwood the best glue for this? This is a lift-out bridge and the girders have to stick firmly since I lift the bridge up by its sides - see picture.

Hi Paul, I tell you check this out, I got it at Walmart in the discount ails for $9 and like I said it drys in 3 sec.

https://www.bulbhead.com/lazer...0-%20Bing%20Shopping

  No expert here just an opinion.  My structures are still solid after 9 years using DAP. Since your bridge will be handled frequently you could in addition to the glue use a mechanical connection such as screws? 

Hi Dan

How do you stop the spider's webs from forming when you take the hot glue gun away from the job?  I like the hot glue for making trees, but the spider's webs drive me nuts.

Cheers

For wood-to-wood, I still like Elmer's; "white" or the "yellow", I find they both work well.

I also like using contact cement, like "Duco's", or "Goo".

The set-up time for these types is slow, but I'm never in that much of a hurry...

For instant bonding, I've had luck with pretty much any of the "Super Glue" type brands.

Mark in Oregon

To get "shiny plastic' to adhere to each other.. you can use super glue but I lightly sand the areas where I am to join the two parts.. that will make them glue together.. Super Glue acts in the absence of air.. so you need very little glue to put to flat pieces of plastic together.. if the plastic is styrene, ABS or delryn, you can use solvents like MEK.. that melts the pieces together.. again, with this method, put the two pieces together then apply the 'wet glue' with a small brush.. opening the two pieces a little to let the glue flow in and then close them together.. if using PVC or plexiglass, you can sand the surfaces and then glue them with super glue and you can get a great bond.. if you use MEK, it won't melt them together and will just dissipate and evaporate and the two pieces will never adhere..  as you know, there are super glues with different settings.. I usually use the instant stuff with great results.. you can also glue aluminum and steel together with great results with super glues if one just sands them a little.. especially aluminum.. Super Glue works great on that metal.  Anyhow, I hope this helps? 

Paul Kallus posted:

Thanks all. I have seen Gorilla Glue at the usual stores. I've also used hot glue gun for many applications...but for fine-point work I don't think it'll work as the gun dispenses it in a drop-size glob.

My next project is to glue plastic plate girder bridges to the edges of plywood. Is the DAP Weldwood the best glue for this? This is a lift-out bridge and the girders have to stick firmly since I lift the bridge up by its sides - see picture.

 

  For the lift out bridge try OSI Quad caulk you will be surprised , only problem you will never be able to take it apart.

Tom N

Paul:

Asking for recommendations on glue is like asking which flavor of ice cream is the best. You will get '101' different answers. For every surface to surface combination there are a multitude of adhesives that can be used.

Over the last 8 years I have tried a lot of different adhesives and most worked out well. I have standardized on a few combinations, not because they are the best but because I have gotten comfortable with them.

Plastic -

ABS to ABS or styrene to styrene - Plastruct Bondene

ABS to styrene - Plastruct Plastic Weld

PVC to PVC - Liquid Fusion (any craft store)

Styrene to PVC - Plastruct Plastic Weld

Korber walls - Gorilla glue (light blue tip). Alan Graziano recommends following up with hot glue in corners. Super glue is strong but brittle. Hot glue adds some elasticity. Also the gorilla glue above has plastiziers in it that also add elasticity.

Korber Pecos River walls - I believe I use Plastruct Plastic Weld.

OGR walls - Plastruct Plastic Weld

Plastic to metal - super glue gel ( I admit to having problems with metal to plastic bonding).

Large panel to panel - i.e. applying siding or roofing panels to a base styrene sheet - spray contact cement adhesive.

Wood -

Wood to wood - yellow or white wood glue. For small pieces or details super glue gel (I use Loctite). Note if you use wood glue stain first. If you paint then you can wait.

Wood to metal - super glue gel

Wood to plastic - super glue gel

With super glue if you are in a hurry a kicker can be used but note you get only one chance for placement.

If you need to fill a gap I have used super glue liquid and baking soda. First apply the baking soda than drip on the glue. This will work only if you plan on covering it with paint later.

Joe

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