Superglue?

[Joshua Henderson]

Hi gents

I'm just putting this thread up to get people's opinion.

Normally when I build I use a lot of white glue and 60min epoxy, but I do also frequently use super glue.

The super glue I usually get is the green zap, but it is turning out expensive at £20 a bottle every few weeks.

What superglue do you guys use, that would be a good alternative that's a bit cheaper, or is it just ZAP??

Thanks
Josh

[David Jones]

Hi Joshua, I have always used Zap Cyno and have been able to buy it cheaper than the average model shop by going on line to a firm called "Gluelines". You have to buy the smaller bottles in boxes of 12, or the larger bottles in boxes of 6. The last lot I got worked out at £7.50 for a 56 grm bottle. I think its even more expensive than that now, so I've found another supplier on line called "Sureloc Adhesives". This works out at £2.80 for a 60 grm bottle and I've found it to be just as good as Zap. I bought a three bottle pack at first just to try it, then I sent off for a dozen each of low and medium viscocity. I'm "sticking" (pardon the pun) with Sureloc in future.
Hope this helps. Dave Jones (Rossendale).

[sean smith]

Hi David,
Thanks for the heads-up on the Cyno i've just ordered the 3 x 50gm low, med and high viscosity pack to try out for £12.02 delivered.

Sean.

[Phil Clark]

ZAP every time for me......tried all sorts over the past 20+yrs, nothing has ever come close.

But £ 20 a bottle........where on earth are you buying it from?

Phil

[Alan Cantwell 1131]

Als hobbies £18.45, with free delivery fromm their ebay shop, 4oz bottle,

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Zap-A-Gap-Sup ... 707wt_1091

[Dave Hayfield]

Google CPC website and you will find industrial cyno under 'fixings and adhesives' at about £3 for 50 grm. I have used it for years and nothing has fallen off yet! If you order it on line there is no carriage cost.

[Dave Miller]

Google CPC website and you will find industrial cyno under 'fixings and adhesives' at about £3 for 50 grm. I have used it for years and nothing has fallen off yet! If you order it on line there is no carriage cost.

That looks of interest but I cannot locate the company, can you post their actualy web address please?

[Rob Buckley]

http://cpc.farnell.com/superglue

The Everbuild stuff sticks pretty well, and is almost free in any branch of Toolstation

[John Rickett]

FMK Starloc will be at Gaydon - the stuff they sell is their own brand but I've used it and can't tell the difference between it and branded glue, so definitely recommended at the price.
My advice is not to buy more than you will use in the next three months as it will thicken with time.

[Shaun Garrity]

There are more myths about superglue than current happy bank customers .
The bottom line is, in the main , modellers pay far too much for the product.
Average performing products are well packaged and sold at a premium price.

A little story about glue first.....
The original cyano's were discovered in 1942 ( yes , they really are that old), whilst trying to invent materials to make clear plastic gun sights . Accidentally a team of scientists came across a formula that stuck to everything it came in contact with but were rebuffed by the American researchers BECAUSE it stuck to everything.
Eastman Kodak scientists, rediscovered Cyano and realised it's potential in 1951. They brought it to market in 1958.

In the 1960s, Eastman Kodak sold cyano to Loctite, who OEM'd it with their own brand name Loctite Quick Set 404. In 1971, Loctite developed their own cyano, called "Super Bonder". Loctite won the commercial war and became the largest seller of Cyano...This is from memory, and as all my mates know , my memory isn't what it was, so I my have some dates a little wrong..

So, why does cheap Cyano go off quickly ? Well , basically because it isn't pure and full of cr*p ( fillers ) to bulk it out. This also weakens it's bond strength, but for many model building jobs, cheap stuff works fine ,as it wicks into balsa well..
The ideal purpose of the glue is to provide a join , stronger than the materials used
Storing it in the fridge can extend it's life but moisture will make it set..

I have found one of the best all round products for modelling (in my humble opinion), is the No Nonsense Superglue sold by Screwfix at approx £3.70 inc vat for 50g. The viscosity is good for all round use, it will wick into balsa for a good bond strength , but not so thin that it runs all over the place. From it's shelf life it would appear to be a reasonable "pure " product and the cure time is long enough to re-position items, but not need activator..

Activator..now here is another item we pay far too much for.. Me... £0.99 for a 200ml aerosol... not a mistake, that is £0.99p again from Screwfix.

Cheap , pound shop, water thin cyno , has it's uses though... It is great for putting "cyano ribs" on sheeted areas to stiffen it up. Also great for toughening up wing tips, trailing edges etc.

I would always recommend having a fan on when using cyano to make sure you don't inhale the fumes and get a cyano headache ...

I have also used the Everbuild product mentioned above by Rob with good results.. In fact I wouldn't be surprised if it is the same product as the Screwfix one.

Loctite used to re-badge super glue for dozens of companies as their own brand..

Why is my head full of all this rubbish... I worked for Loctite many moons ago.....

Cheers

Shaun