I recently purchased a couple of Peco PL13 accessory switches to be attached to my Peco turnout motors so I can switch the polarity of the frog rails on several non-insulated turnouts I have. The instructions recommend attacing the PL13 to the turnout motors with an impact adhesive. I have never heard that term used before and I am wondering what kind of adhesive that would be. I can think of two possibilities, either CA or contact cement. Is this what they mean by impact adhesive or are they referring to something else?
John, it would seem that you should make friends with google. [swg] [(-D]
A quick search found this.
Wayne
I have a couple of those, and I don’t recall using any adhesive. I believe they mount to the bottom of the Peco switch machine by bending metal tabs over. I’ve had no problems with mine. Of course, adding some glue won’t hurt.
But, if I were to use an adhesive, I’d use something like Aileen’s Tacky Glue. It holds quite well, but it always remains a bit soft so you can separate things after a while if you need to. It’s available at craft stores. I like it for gluing figures down to my layout as well.
Peco means a strong adhesive that absorbes/resists repaeted impacts/vibrations. A good contact adhesive such as Walthers Goo or Liquid Nails (in the small household size tube). Do not use CA as it becomes brittle with age and will crack with repeated vibration.
I’m not sure I would put my trust in Aileens Tacky glue for this job. It’s a water based glue and not designed for heavy duty situations. The contact adhesives are better suited for gluing dissimilar materials as well, (the plastic of the switch and the metal of the switch machine).
There are no tabs to bend on the bottom of the Peco switch machine where the polarity/routing switch attaches to the switch machine.
Jay is right. I checked some Peco machines that I bought for my layout expansion plans, and there are no tabs. So, I guess I must have glued mine on.
Check out the EPOXY. Great stuff.
While epoxies are great adhesives, most are not “impact adhesives”. An Impact Adhesive has to be able absorb the shock of repeated impacts and therefore needs to have some “give” such as contact cements that never cure fully hard. Silicone adhesives are also Impact adhesives although they don’t have as much “grab” as the contact cement.
One of the best epoxies for modeling purposes is JB Weld & JB Kwik (5 min). Once cured, you can drill, carve and sand it just like plastic.