I am building a cyclone fence, which uses plastic posts and wire lengths for the rails. The instructions advise to use a CA type glue to attach the wire to the posts. I tried a new bottle of CA glue and also some “Krazy Glue” but nothing seems to hold the wire. What am I doing wrong?
Doc
Just checking, but are you building the fence sections flat on the workbench and then placing them on the scenery, or are you attempting to build the fence ‘in place’. If the former, then I am not sure what the problem is (assuming you cleaned the wire & the rails), if the latter then I can envision uneven terrain putting enough pressure to force the rails & poles apart.
How are you clamping/holding the pieces together? Can you clamp the rails & poles together (heck, even use tape to hold them in place), and then apply the CA to the joints?
I had no problems with CA until the most recent container that I bought. It was in the same jar, but it seemed a lot thinner, and it takes a long time to set up. The older stuff was thicker, and would set up in a short time. I suspect this was either a bad batch, or a mis-labeled container.
It still works quickly if I hit it with the accelerator, though. I’ve also found it works better if I only use a little bit, spread it thin and apply pressure while it sets up.
Would gap filling type help? Its about all that I use. You have to watch that you dont get too much on.
Dave
It seems that the CA does not dry although it is a new bottle. I also tried an old tube of Krazy glue with the same result. I was not sure if metal/plastic combination required something special. I went back to the hobby shop and exchanged the CA for a new bottle which supposedly sets in 3 seconds.
Stay tuned…
Doc
I built a Jig that helped me .
Back from the hobby store this time with “INSTA-CURE” instead of “INSTA-CURE+” CA glue. Not only did it not hold the wire to my plastic fence post but it would not glue together 2 pieces of plastic, wire to wire or even 2 toothpicks together.
It is not a 100% failure it did stick a few of my fingers together momentarily.
This is not the first time using CA glue. I built a few Bowser locomotives several years ago with no problem. I searched the web for similar CA glue problems to no avail.
I not only need to finish the Walthers Sub Station fence but I have an additional cyclone fence that I plan on putting on the layout. I would like to hear from anyone who has built anything where a strip of wire must be glued to a piece of plastic using CA glue. Maybe I am missing something.
One last thing I did notice that the glue bottles did not have a tip you cut off. They just had a plastic screw cap. I don’t remember from years ago but most glues usually are sealed completely from the air when you buy them.
Thanks, Doc
The only Super-Glue I use is the Super-Glue gel. It won’t run all over the place and pretty much stays put while I work with it.
TopCop…it’s you, dude (or at least your CA).
I just CA’d 2 different types of wire to some plastruct plastic - holds perfectly fine (and didn’t manage to glue my fingers together either - so there! [:D] . If you press long enough, sure the wire will snap off, so I still maintain there’s excessive pressure against the joint and you need to relieve this pressure somehow (bending? longer clamp time?)
I now use the little tubes of CA you get at big box retailers in multi-paks (this one claims to be the original Super Glue), mostly because the big bottles of Insta-Cure seem to harden and dry out way before I use it all, and the resulting joints from either seem about as strong (and hopefully as long lasting)…
That’s why I make all my models out of human skin. CA just always sticks to that. [:-^]
The saga continues.
I just finished my first row of fence thanks to everyone’s help. The CA glue is far from instant setting. I was used to building Bowser locomotives where one touch of glue meant instant bonding. This glue provides you ample time to sit down and have a leisurely lunch while the glued parts are drying. How thoughtful!
I learned that you must also use a highly efficient clamping system until the glue decides to set. I tried all of my expensive clamps but none worked on these small parts. I searched my workshop and finally found the right tools. Lucky for me I did not discard those two clothes pins and two large paperclips, they saved the day.
Well thanks for all the replies. I have to get busy now and try to finish 3 mores sections of fence before the next weekend. I told my wife if I ever decide to make another cyclone fence to stick a pencil in my eye.
Doc