I have modeled for years using styrene, wood, and cast resin. I recently acquired my first kit of photo etched brass. My question is what type of adhesive should I use to assemble it, or should I solder all the joints? Your ideas and suggestions are greatly appreciated.
Ron
Solder is preferred. CA cement will work, but dries brittle.
If you stick with Solder, then you can bake your model when you paint it.
David B
JB weld 5 minute epoxy if you don’t care to solder, I would never use CA on brass, too brittle as David B has obviously discovered!
Dave
Actually there is a CA that will work nicely for etched kits. Bob Smith Industries makes “Insta-Flex +”, which is a rubberized CA. I’ve used it quite successfully on a couple of kits, including a BLMA ATSF-style signal bridge. You can actually flex the whole thing quite a bit, and the CA hasn’t come apart on me yet.
Me, I’d solder the whole thing. Strong, cheap, and you can get it apart again by just heating the joints.