I like using my small hot glue gun to afix small items (people, lamp posts, trees). It’s messy with all the cobwebs, but the only way I’ve found for the instant stick needed to keep these small items exaclty as placed.
But often I wind up with a blob of glue (especially a problem around the little peoples’ feet). Tried to shoot some glue on a temporary surface and apply with toothpick, but cools too fast. Any glue gun contorl tips? Or do I just need more practive with it?
Thanks!
Personally, because of the issue you noted with the “cobwebs”, I’d pass on using hot glue, except for the trees, because you can cover the blobs with ground foam (vegetation). On my layout, I drill a hole in the truck of the tree, and CA a short piece of stiff wire. If I’m “planting” the tree in foam, I can just push them into place. If the tree is to be planted in plaster, I’ll drill a small hole with a pin vise, then press the wire into that hole. I’ll be using CA applied with a toothpick for people, mailboxes, benches, etc. For lamp posts, I’ll use rubber cement applied with a small brush, unless you can replace the bulbs without having to remove the post.
For small items like people and other scenery details, consider a tacky glue like Aleene’s. You can get a Michael’s or equivalent. It sets up reasonably quickly and dries clear. Water cleanup. And, you can easily remove whatever you glued down with it.
I’ll second the tacky glue method. I use my hot glue gun a lot, but mostly for larger things. Not small detail items.
I have a selection of glues for various uses on the layout, but I do like hot glue for some things. I found a “glue skillet” that is supposed to eliminate cobwebs, but haven’t used it yet (only cost a few bucks). Anyone have experience with those? You put object to softened glue in the skillet, then place on layout. I’m planning to give it a try probably in a week or two.
I will follow the thread to see if there is a solution of the HG gun
For people, I used Very Thick CA and spray on hardener. I get mine at Rockler’s wood working store.
Thanks for all the feedback. I was using tacky glue, but it dries far-from-instantly, and inevitably I’d return to the layout after drying time to find little tilted forward train conductors. I know the cobwebs are nuisance but I LOVE the instant where-you-place-it is where is stays aspects of using a glue gun. I’ve not tried CA, am going t pick up a bottle this afternoon.
But I still am very attached to my glue gun idea.[:-,]
i use the claer plastic from tree packages etc just glue people onto small footprint of plastic and then you can still move them around
You guys gotta read Frary’s book on detaiing scenery and structures. There’s an idea in there that is EXTREMELY simple and practical. Get a small package of coroners wax from MicroMark or just pure beeswax and use a very small ball,like 16th" diameter and squash your figure or detailpart into that. Both clean and temporary,this tip was proposed maybe 20 or so years ago… However I also know that there are many new modelers in the hobby and not everyone reads books. But I have kept books for over 40 years and still refer to them. BILL
OK, Bill, I’ll give it a whirl… Uhm where does one buy bees wax???
Why from MicroMark of course! They have it for model ship builders, for one thing. It works to get rid of the “fuzz” on the thread used for ships rigging.
I imagine it might even be useful for stopping the fuzz when thread is used for power lines and wire fencing?
You can often find beeswax in candle stores or in craft stores that have candle making supplies.
Joe
Find bees with dirty ears… [:D]
Hi!
I’m in the process of dismantling my HO layout, and found/remembered that all the telephone poles were attached with hot glue, with a layer of groundcover over it. In 15 years they stood just perfectly, and I got them off with an Xacto chisel blade. On the other hand, I also found that I had hot glued the walkways for the diesel servicing area, and that was a bear to get up in one piece. My point is that there are instances where hot glue is an excellent choice, but there are many more where it is not.
I believe Woodland Scenics special glue for figures and the like is probably the best bet, but you need a clean smooth surface for it to properly do its job.
ENJOY,
Mobilman44