Post by Fletch on Jun 9, 2009 12:00:37 GMT -8
For the past several years I have used 2 part epoxy for the final assembly on build projects. The epoxy allows you to complete a build without worrying about scraping paint and chrome to get pieces to glue together. The second + about epoxy is it allows you to bond different media together. With our builds today being comprised of different types of plastic, PVC, resins and metal epoxy is the best choice of adhesive.
The problem with 2 part epoxy is just as it's name implies, it's 2 parts that you need to blend together in the quantity you need for the job at hand. I use Permatex PermaPoxy, mainly because both parts of the epoxy are clear (not all epoxy is) and is readily available in the automotive section of the local Wally World. The clear plastic covering of the PermaPoxy card has a neat little built in tray that says "Mix here". A great idea if you're going to mix the entire tube at once. Not so good for us hobbyist looking to mix small amounts at a time.
When it came time final assembly of a build I'd scrounge every piece of scrap plastic I could fine to mix epoxy on. I'd end up turning pieces over to use the other side etc, I even resorted to using the glass plate I build on as I could scrape it clean later. One day a couple of years ago I was out buying some 2 part polyester glazing putty and they had a pad that could be used to mix on then peal off and throw away and have a new clean surface for the next time. At almost $10 for a pad of 50 I decided to pass but the idea was planted.
The next trip of Wally World found me in the office supplies section searching for a better mouse trap. I found it in the form of Post-It Notes. If you by the house brand you get 3 pads of 500 for $.97 that comes out to $0.00064 per sheet which more then fits in my hobby budget.
Now I pull a pad of 3x3 Post-It notes out when I'm ready for final assembly, add the epoxy in the quantity I need apply it to the model and as the epoxy cures I remove that sheet and the next clean sheet is there ready for the next part to be attached to the model.
It sure beats scrapping cured epoxy from a sheet of glass.
The problem with 2 part epoxy is just as it's name implies, it's 2 parts that you need to blend together in the quantity you need for the job at hand. I use Permatex PermaPoxy, mainly because both parts of the epoxy are clear (not all epoxy is) and is readily available in the automotive section of the local Wally World. The clear plastic covering of the PermaPoxy card has a neat little built in tray that says "Mix here". A great idea if you're going to mix the entire tube at once. Not so good for us hobbyist looking to mix small amounts at a time.
When it came time final assembly of a build I'd scrounge every piece of scrap plastic I could fine to mix epoxy on. I'd end up turning pieces over to use the other side etc, I even resorted to using the glass plate I build on as I could scrape it clean later. One day a couple of years ago I was out buying some 2 part polyester glazing putty and they had a pad that could be used to mix on then peal off and throw away and have a new clean surface for the next time. At almost $10 for a pad of 50 I decided to pass but the idea was planted.
The next trip of Wally World found me in the office supplies section searching for a better mouse trap. I found it in the form of Post-It Notes. If you by the house brand you get 3 pads of 500 for $.97 that comes out to $0.00064 per sheet which more then fits in my hobby budget.
Now I pull a pad of 3x3 Post-It notes out when I'm ready for final assembly, add the epoxy in the quantity I need apply it to the model and as the epoxy cures I remove that sheet and the next clean sheet is there ready for the next part to be attached to the model.
It sure beats scrapping cured epoxy from a sheet of glass.