Which liquid cement do you like most?

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

With all of the different liquid cements available, I was wondering which ones are used by most modelers and why. I can think of Testor’s, Tenax-7R, Ambroid Proweld and Plastruct Plastic Weld. Is there a noticable difference?

Jcopilot

2

Depends on the materials I’m working with.

For joining purely-styrene kit pieces together, especially along long seams, I use Testors Liquid Plastic Cement

If I’m joining styrene to Plastruct ABS tubing or any other non-styrene material, then I use PlasticWeld

3

MEK by the gallon from Lowes or Home Depot.

Does not have any additives to slow down the bonding process!

Same stuff that makes up the major portion of most liquid glues but a lot cheaper!

BOB H - Clarion, PA

4

I’ve got a bottle of Testors stuff for styrene that’s running low now. I’ve been using a lot of CA (cyanoacrylate), or “superglue” with the “fixer” to make it set very quickly. Instant setting sometimes make kit assembly go a lot faster. It’s also nice for gluing on figures or other small parts that you would otherwise have to hold in place manually while the glue sets, because they won’t stay by themselves.

5

For styrene-styrene I use Ambroid because that’s what the LHS has. CA for pretty much anything else.

6

Tenax 7R, Microweld, Ambroid ProWeld and Weldon all join styrene plastic by momentarily melting the plastic they come in contact with and chemically bonding the two pieces together. The key ingredient is methylene chloride (not methylethylkeytone). Testors liquid cement uses a similar but slower bonder. Most others are glues that depend on their stickyness to hold parts together.

I use Tenax 7R or microweld, whichever is available.

Also use CA for detail parts

7

I like the Testor’s plastic model cement with the applicator tip…it allows a very small amount of glue out and is very controllable…i also use Zap CA glue which works well too…chuck

8

I rarely use anything but the Ambroid proweld, I do keep a bottle of plastruct around for some uses. Of course CA of all kinds is always useful, the slow and fast and gap filling all have their uses.[8)]

9

I was using CA but went back to the Testors model cement that I used as a kid. The felt that the bonding strength of Testors was adequate but it sets up quicker. I will use CA if trying to bond a part to something that is painted since it does not seem to damage painted surfaces as much as the Testors.

10

Faller Expert. I especially like the applictator tip.

11

For styrene and ABS plastic I prefer Ambroid Pro-weld. I have used Tenax and it is ok, but I prefer Ambroid. For all other applications I use Jet brand CA with 10 second curing time.

Ron

12

I have pretty much changed over to ACC. But when I do need a plastic cement I always use the Testors Liquid Plastic Cement in a glass jar.

Best plastic cement there is in my opinion.

James

13

I’ve grown to prefer Ambroid Pro-Weld for just about everything plastic… Unfortunately, it’s not one that is carried in a lot of places but they’ll all order it… I like it because it’s thin, spreads into joints readily and dries fast.

[2c]

14

Ambroid ProWeld for me :slight_smile:

15

I like the Ambroid Proweld for gluing Plexaglas. IT is the only glue I have found that will work.

For all other I use the MEK as it is about 1/10 the cost and no additives in it to slow down the action.

I have not found a place to purchase the methylene chloride in gallon quanities!

BOB H - Clarion, PA

16

I use Testors as it is reliable.

I no longer use the classic orange testors glue. I believe it had a chemical in it that is quite altering or damaging to the body.

Walthers Goo to stickem fast but not too fast.

Faller’s (Do they still make that one?) with a bru***o get glue into certain areas.

CA when I need to stick it one time fast.

And time. Lots of time. Once the part or group of parts is glued, they dry at least overnight.

17

Thanks to everyone for your answers. Testor’s and Ambroid seem to be the most popular and a lot of people use ACC. ACC is sometimes a little too fast for me, but it is useful in some cases. I would like something faster than Testor’s.
Bob H. from CMR Products - Aren’t there health concerns with MEK? I thought I read that the fumes were particularly harmful.

Thanks again.

JCopilot

18

jcopilot

MEK is the main product in most all of the popular liquid glues except for Ambroid and Tenex (I think). And IF MEK was so bad WOULD it be sold over the counter in Lowes and Home Depot?

Lots of ventilation is the Keywork. IT is recommended with any glue whether it is Walthers GOO, Testors ACC. Everything is dangerous if taken in excess including the air we breathe as I don’t see anyone living forever :wink:

BOB H – Clarion, PA

19

I use testors primarily, but just started using ambroid

20

Ambroid Proweld ,second choice is Tenax 7R.

Tom