greetings from Canada...I suffer from an allergy to super glues...the smell from them gives me symptoms very much like the flue. So I am searching for a good glue that will not kill me with fumes.

All advice gratefully received! Thank you guys!

Epoxy will do the same job as superglue and PVA (wood glue)can be used for parts that do nopt need to be very strongly bonded. There is also Gator Glue which is similar to PVA but provides a stronger bond.

Thanks mate...I will give those a try.

I use Ambroid Pro Weld.

When I was younger I had asthma, so I know what you mean on the odors. Ambroid isn't volatile as super glue as it provides a welding type of adhesive than a cylindrical type bonding like super glue does.

Always use ALL adhesives in a well ventilated area. A fan can be most useful too.










~ Jeff

Hi Phil,

There are many types of glues and all serve different purposes.

Firstly, what materials are you trying to glue?

Cheers,
Joe

Ahoy Darren,
While were on the subject of glue, someone should clarify
these two products:

GATOR GLUE & GATOR'S GLUE

2 distinctly different products with distinctly different properties.

Could cause some confusion for the novice modeler.
Cheers,
Joe

Hi buddy! I am making a 35 scale model of the German railway gun Leopold or Anzio Annie. It is just your basic plastic not sure of the chemical composition.

I have no problem gluing it using the standard glues but there are some of the 7,000 parts that will need a fast drying glue like super glue ...and I cannot use that without dire results to my body.

I was using Tamiya glue and this works ok but is a bit messy and slow drying.

I have ordered some Gator glue...god knows what to expect from it!

Phil I was not aware you wanted to use a super glue substitute for glueing plastics together. As this is what you want the glue for I would use one of the brush applied poly glues such as Tamiya and Humbrol make.

Ahoy Phil,

Ok here goes.....if the kit is strictly plastic(Styrene) then
a modeling cement like Tamiya,Testor or Humbrol will do the job.

For rapidity, as Jeff suggested, Ambroid Pro Weld will
bond a lot faster as it is a lot more volatile than the
others, these are all solvent based and will melt the plastic
creating a bond. The more volatile, the faster it bonds as
the liquid will evaporate much faster...also do not keep the
Ambroid bottle open too long as it evaporates very rapidly.

AND do avoid breathing the fumes...ventilate well at all times.

Now as far as Gator glue and Gator's Hobby glue....
The first is a polyurethane type glue incredible bite
and bond but requires at least 30 minutes to bond.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS STUFF EXPANDS!

Gator's Hobby glue is an acrylic based glue and is being
marketed for its wonderful properties of attaching PE,
photo etched parts.....not as fat as CA but that allows
you to position parts properly before the excellent bond
occurs.
CA has its obvious irritant properties for some people but
sometimes it is what you need for ultra rapidity.

Would some kind of respirator filter and good ventilation
not help in your situation?

Personally the solvent based glues should do the job for you.
and Gator's Hobby Glue for PE parts if any.

Just a suggestion....
Cheers,
Joe

You could always wear a mask. I buy the disposable kind(like $3 for five of them). Tamiya glue gives me respiratory problems. I used to be a very sick asthmatic.

Phil If I am honest your breathing problems would also indicate to me that a mask is a must. For the price of a model you can buy a really good mask with seperate filters for particle and gases which would solve your problem at a stroke. I use a 3M filter for when I am spray painting and here is a link to the mask I use with both fikter types.

Thanks for the info mates...I have tried using a mask but I don't know what irritates me more...the glues or the mask!

But I am slowly coming back to Tamiya glue it is the only one that doesn't lay me out. I will be 83 in June and I thought I had smelt everything but those cyan glues are something else. Anyway...thank you for all your help if this doesn't work I will go back to my other hobby...carving birds!

kudos to you sir , I wish to live to your age so I can finish all the models that I have stashed away.

Hey there Phil,

If you are looking for a non-toxic glue, Tamiya makes a Limonene cement for styrene. It doesn't work as fast and you may need to clamp some parts while the glue sets up, but doesn't have the harsh smell of CA or even the regular Tamiya cements.

http://www.elmcityhobbies.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=14_71&products_id=2828

I use both the regular Tamiya Cement with the white cap as well as the X-Thin with the green cap, however the limonene is a good alternative if you are looking for a non toxic/non smelly cement.

The Gator Glue is a great product, but won't hold pieces of styrene together, great for PE parts and clear styrene parts, but for general construction of parts, it isn't strong enough.

That is disappointing...I have already ordered some Gator Oh well...I will take a look at your recommendation I have a bit of Tamiya left of both white and green to keep me going. Thanks everyone you have been very kind!