Stick it to 'em!

[ClydeBuilt]

Anyone done a recent glues/adhesives thread ?

Even in past couple of years things have moved a bit, so I thought it might be an idea to find out what works with what when sticking things together.

CA: Cyanoacrylate: Thats superglue to us old farts, but now theres all sorts of viscosity's available, from super runny to heavy gels, as well as rubberised version that stands up to impacts and shock a bit better.
(For the rubberised gear, check out archery suppliers arrow making)

Some may not be aware of kicker or accelerator, a fluid that sets the superglue instantly, or helps bond difficult surfaces together.

Epoxy:Araldite & the like: The rule with epoxys is, the longer it takes to set, the tougher the bond as a rule, so the quick ten minute stuff while okay to a point, doesnt match the 24hr gear. On top of that only the 24hr stuff tends to be waterproof.

We can include all the pastes with added 'bits' here, some have metal fillings etc, some are pretty strong and make good adhesives on their own, but being a putty consistencym are ideal for large gap filling or making complete replacement parts in some cases.

Vinyl/ rubber pastes: Shoe-Goo etc ideal for reparing body shells, as it does stick pretty well to lexan etc. Have a look around though as theres a few things available, the stuff for repairing neoprene waders is even better.
So always check out the glues section when the missus has you doing the B&Q Safari!

PVA: Thats plain old white school tyoe glue, has its uses as if painted onto a surface, it can sometimes let you use a paint or other medium that previously wouldnt take. Also makes a good masking fluid.

While not a 'glue', soldering is definately used a lot to bond metals for roll cages etc. Theres a few kinds there, soft soldering is just like you use on electrical joints, Deans plugs etc. Easy to do but not very strong.
Silver soldering: A bit more involved, but still pretty easy and super strong!
Brazing:Pretty simple and again very strong.

But bear in mind when you solder brass mechanically, that when you heat the job up, you soften it too. It has to be work hardened to regain its strength. Thats not so easily done, you could stand it on a tray or something and vibrate it a while maybe. Think of it needing hundreds of tiny hammer taps to harden it off?

Steel couldnt care less and even alluminium can be brazed these days with stuff off the shelf at B&Q etc.

For technique, just YouTube for reference.

Anybody else able to add any knowledge???

[90irish]

The epoxies used for carbon fibre that I use (sp-106 right now) have a list of additives that can be added to turn it from plain resin to adhesive and can even add colour to hide the repair.

[ClydeBuilt]

Handy.....sounds a pro operation.

Another thought, you can also fill using cyano, build a fillet from plain old Bicarbonate of Soda and skim a finger across it if on an inside edge, that gives a neat rounded finish. Then slowly drizzle some cyano on it, it will wick through it and set rock hard.