Global Scale Modeller

Hi all

I have some metal wire I was going to add to my model, but I can't seem to get it to stick. I've used Tamiya glue, their extra thin and also Superglue...but nothing seems to stick the copper wire to the plastic.

Does anyone have any ideas on what I need to use or how else I should get wire to stick to models?

Thanks

Super glue should have worked. Is it a case.you can't hold it still enough for the glue to harden off?
Can you drill a hole/dimple for the end of the wire to sit in and give the glue a better chance to grab it?

Drilling a dimple is a good idea. Thanks.

I have no idea how long it would take for super glue to "take"...but I remember being a kid and gluing my fingers together in seconds...that was the whole point of super glue...it glues anything AND quick!

Having said that, I don't think I ever used super glue to glue two different materials together.

In the end, I had some spare parts from a car model I wasn't going to make and used those with a bit of creative trimming and gluing...this is the engine in question

From this...


...to this...




That'll do 8)

Hopefully it'll look "alive" when painted.

Not all super glues are the same, the thinner the glue the faster it sets. Gel type super glue can take upto 30 to 40 seconds to set. The really runny stuff will set in under 5 seconds.

For questions about adhesives, I've always relied on this site as my go-to resource: http://www.thistothat.com

For times when you want CA (superglue) to set quicker, you can spray the bond with a product called a "kicker". Adding a quick spray of kicker will cause the CA to set instantly.

Hope those two tidbits help...

That's a great site. Thanks RobBye...bookmarked.

andygif290368 wrote:Not all super glues are the same, the thinner the glue the faster it sets. Gel type super glue can take upto 30 to 40 seconds to set. The really runny stuff will set in under 5 seconds.

I am using some loctite CA gel and if I prime the surfaces with DELUX Materials ...tricky stick it bonds in 1second.

Superglue should go off in around a few seconds anyhow regardless of the " Type " if used correctly (unless its a specialist slow setting glue). Kicker as before mentioned is great a product though and well worth the investment , I always drill a pilot hole to add wire detailing . And I may be able to add a little something else no one has mentioned yet , Some copper wires are varnish or Lacquer coated ,I always lightly sand copper wire before applying it double up some wet or dry and pull it through a fewtimes this will have the added bonus effect of straightening it too . use Superglues sparingly just a tiny bit on the end of the wire before pushing it in .

If its a piece of electric,electronic cable that wasnt in ofc insulation then it will be lacquered, quick blast with a lighter will take care of that.

Andy is right, I think most of us use BSI cyanoacrylate. Super thin 1-3 seconds bond and the purple bottle (which says 5-15 seconds but actually means 5-15 minutes). I use these because most superglues are stock items inside your local hardware or food stores and they can actually go bad, just from sitting in the package. For metals use the blue bottle super thin. For seams and filling duties, use the purple bottle.

RobBye wrote:For questions about adhesives, I've always relied on this site as my go-to resource: http://www.thistothat.com

For times when you want CA (superglue) to set quicker, you can spray the bond with a product called a "kicker". Adding a quick spray of kicker will cause the CA to set instantly.

Hope those two tidbits help...

Sure helped me with that site.
Thanks

By reading the replies in this thread looks like i'm still one of the few modelers that really likes to use white PVA glue for gluing photo-etch in place. The big advantage for me is the workable time you have before the glue sets. CA always seems to catch me out an i'm left with wonky pe on my model. With PVA I can still move the part around to the desired place and presto perfect placing every time. The other advantage is that it sets crystal clear so you won't get that white frosting you sometimes get with CA when it comes in contact with moisture. Ruined a couple of pre-painted pe instumet panels when I went to attach some release handels to it.