Glues and pins

[Antony Wright 1Participant @antonywright1]

I see multiple types of glues being used in different build logs and Im wondering what the recommendations are for beginners. Im currently using a wood glue for planking as that seems logical but I see some use a contact glue – especially for the second layer. Is this the same type of contact glue I might get in a tube like Bostick, or something else?

Metal to plastic or wood. My assumption is Cyano but thick, thin or medium? Again Im guessing that it depends on whether there is good contact or if there are gaps to be filled.

Now pins. The model Im building (AL Cadaques) came supplied with tiny pins (about 7mm long)I find them fiddly and awkward, (im sure that will be better with a pin pusher), but I see lots of builds using dressmaking pins or the type you might use to pin things to a board. Yes this is all down to personal preference and I know there is no hard and fast rule but I cant help thinking there is a better option to 7mm tiny pins.

[Antony Wright 1Participant @antonywright1]

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Antony. There is no such thing as beginners glue! All glues have their uses, and we all have our personal preferences.

Most of my boats are built with water resistant PVA, rapid epoxy and superglue. There is no right or wrong, some glues are better than others for certain jobs, and others unsuitable (PVA to stick plastic for instance).

Thin cyano is cheap from Poundland and Wilkinson's so gets my vote. Anything requiring gap filling means epoxy to me?

Someone who does planking would be better to advise on the suitability of contact adhesive, but I see nothing wrong with it, only that you only get one chance to stick it in the right place!

Pins…are they meant to be viewed as part of the build or simply to hold stuff in place? I would have thought the pins stayed there only being 7mm. Dressmakers pins are generally used for light duty holding thinner planks and so on in place.

Ashley

[Antony Wright 1Participant @antonywright1]

Hi Ashley. Thanks for the response. I think I may not have explained myself properly. I wasn't referring to the glues as being a beginner glue but me as a new ship modeller. I have zero experience working with wooden models and working with wood in general and am really looking for advise on what to use. Your experience is what Im hoping to draw on to help me avoid unnecessary blunders and make some simple choices. I wasn't sure about things like the suitability of using the likes of Poundland cyano for instance and its reassuring to hear that it will get the job done. though I wonder whether I will end up spending more on those tiny tubes compared to a larger bottle from someone like Delux Materials. Regardless. Thanks for responding and helping out

[Ray Wood 3Participant @raywood3]

Hi Antony,

I can't think of anything I would use contact adhesive for boat building, as Ashley said no chance to reposition. Also I previously used £hundreds of pounds on modelling super glues but Poundland stuff is just as good but mind the fumes !!

Regards Ray

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

I gave up buying even medium size bottles of superglue ages ago. Never seems to last, and the small Poundland tubes are handy.

i did use contact adhesive to veneer the Farnham and pontoon boat, where I thought it was handy in that clamping veneer over curves is problematic.

Ashley

[David Marks 2Participant @davidmarks2]

For wood to wood joints I now use an Aliphatic PVA which I purchase from Five Star Adhesives at one of the model shows. There are other manufacturers/suppliers such as Deluxe Materials, Titebond, sold by Axminster Tools, and my local model shop Avicraft in Bromley stock the Jim Perkins (JP) brand as do Cornwall Model Boats. I have also just started using Super Phatic from Deluxe Materials which allows joints to be made/positioned dry and then the adhesive added which wicks into the joint via capillary action in the same way as a plumber making a soldered joint. With regard to adhesive purchased form Poundland (or equivalent), I once tried their two pack epoxy……never ever again. In curing, this type of adhesive generates heat but when you have glued some lead ballast into the hull of a model and smoke appears, it is a little worrying.

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

Superphatic is an excellent glue. Not only will it work on wood joints but it will join other materials too as long as one is permeable such as plastic to wood. Water cleanup and no fumes

Colin

[Antony Wright 1Participant @antonywright1]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions and help. Much appreciated.

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