What do you guys use for model kits? I picked up a Walters coal tower, I haven't glue anything in a long time. Anything new? Don
Don, When I build kits the two that I use are Tamiya Extra Thin Cement in the green labeled glass bottle and Testor's Model Master Liquid Cement in the black plastic squeeze bottle. The Tamiya has a really thin pointed brush and is really good for placing two parts together and running the brush along the seem. It sets up fairly quick and I have found the bond to be strong. The Testor's has a really nice long needle spout that is good for putting the glue right where you want it. It is thicker and gives you a little more adjustment time and also gives a good strong bond. Both have screw on caps that keep the cement from drying out before you can use it again. I hope this helps. Ralph
I too am a fan of the Tamiya extra thin glue. I also use their regular cement in the orange cap when I need glue then piece things together.
Like @Martin Station I prefer the Testors black and the Tamiya extra thin. And the Tamiya bottle is square, which lets you open it with one hand while holding the parts with the other - nicely done design there.
I'm also a fan of the Tamiya Extra Thin and Testors Model Master Cement combo. Plus some medium CA glue for the things plastic cement won't work on, and extra-thin CA glue for when I absolutely need two thing stuck together NOW and also stuck to my hand and/or the workbench. (Really though, extra thin CA is great for wicking into joints, but if you're not careful it will wick absolutely everywhere before you know it!)
I use a lot of plain old Testors "cement for plastic" in the orange tube, but I also have a tube of both thin and gel super glue on the bench, as well as Alene's Tacky glue , and more recently a tube of Bondic UV glue. And for windows I use Micro Crystal Clear. I haven't found the magic glue that works for everything yet.
The Tamiya Extra Thin in the green square bottle is the best for styrene and such. And such a simple design, but the square bottle is really neat, as well as the big top, that as mentioned you can unscrew with one hand while working on a project. As well as the brush applicator. Now for 3D printed items, such as the think mansion I have coming I have like a thick gel Gorilla glue I use. Depends on the project The Top is almost as big as the bottle If not mistaken they have different versions and such? Who kept knocking their glue over and and went, this is stupid, we should put it in a Square bottle and not a round one, or Testor's tube I can't believe I used the Testor's for so long in the Tube from the early 1900's Yeah, I have no clue IF it is really that ols, but seems like it? I think they still sell it? This is for normal styrene kit's. I think they make an ABS, ( if that is a thing ), glue too? Run, don't walk to BUY this. NO I am not a Tamiya employee, but I play one on TV
I use 4 products, White label Plastruct Bondene and Orange label Plastruct Plastic Weld and MicroMark SameStuff and Starbond Medium ACC.
I've been using gel CA to tack things initially, then run a brush of Testor's liquid model solvent cement along the seam. The gel CA is a nice medium working time between the super fast thin CA and the longer set time of the solvent cement, plus the gel is easy to control placement. I'm too klutzy to get things precise on the instant touch that standard CA demands, and too fidgety to wait for the solvent cement to fully set.
For some locomotive details and some scenery details I use Testors Clear Parts Cement & Window Maker and it works really well. I just used it to attach thread to some newly installed telephone poles. It dries shiney clear and then I added a thin green paint to make the insulators that I glued the thred to pop. I also used it in my cattle trough to look like fresh water. I don't glue down my vehicles so I can move them around from time to time, but those close to the edge I put Arleene's Tack-It Over & Over to hold them in place. If I want to move them later the Tack-It can remain or it just scrapes off with a fingernail. For other details it's Elmer's white glue or CA. About the Testors Clear Parts Cement, I never thought about it till just now, but I wonder if it can be spread thin in small spots on roads or parking lots to make water puddles? I might try this and see. If it works I will let you know. Ralph
Yeah, I’m “that guy,” the one who once glued his thumb and index fingertips together. An X-Acto knife and a bit of pain tolerance was the only “solvent” I had “on hand.” Fortunately, the amount of joined surface area was rather small.
Tried making a small water puddle with the Testor's clear cement and was not really happy with the results, but I do think it will work well for drainage pipes or water leaks. It's pretty glossy even with using pastel chalks to tone it down. Good news is that I could rub it off or lightly scrape it for removal. Ralph
