Adhesive for 3D prints

[GAP]

I have tried various adhesives to try to glue PLA+ with varying degrees of success, I have found epoxy works well (but it can be messy), as does super glue (I spray it with Isopropyl Alcohol to get it to set faster but it does leave a white residue)
While reading this I noticed that using clear lacquer thinner sounds promising and may be something to consider thought I would share.
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6733969
I am considering scaling this up for use in one of my scenes in the indoor section of the railway that I am building.

[Chip1e]

Hi Graeme
I use this.
https://www.everbuild.co.uk/products/ad ... -adhesive/
Works well with PLA gives you time to place parts and does not stick your fingers to the parts like Cyano. Not sure you can get it where you are there must be something like it.
Paul

[philipy]

We have had this discussion a couple of times in the past, if you do a search. Personally, for Pla/PLA+ I use "Plasticweld" which is basically DiChloromethane and apply with a brush. Works perfectly.

[GAP]

We have had this discussion a couple of times in the past, if you do a search. Personally, for Pla/PLA+ I use "Plasticweld" which is basically DiChloromethane and apply with a brush. Works perfectly.

I searched for "plasticweld in Australia" and the only thing I could find was an epoxy similar to what I use (araldite)
A search for DiChloromethane threw up a paint stripper.

I could not find the other suggestion in Australia only a contact adhesive.

Might give the thinners a go as I think I have a can in the shed used it for airbrushing acrylics but found methylated spirits just as good.

Another one I did use for plastic models was Methy Ethyl Ketone (MEK) but that is nasty stuff.

[GTB]

Another one I did use for plastic models was Methy Ethyl Ketone (MEK) but that is nasty stuff.

MEK is a damn sight less dangerous than dichloromethane/methylene chloride. Plastruct Plastic Weld contains both. Formulations have changed over the years, Plastic Weld used to contain chloroform.....


I've no experience with using PLA as a modelling material, but MEK on it's own doesn't work all that well on ABS, so may not work well on PLA either.


Plastic Weld is the glue supplied for use with Plastruct. It is formulated for use with ABS, which is what a lot of Plastruct shapes are made from. Sold in the UK by EMA. Plastruct is still around, but the glue hasn't been available in Aust. for years.

If a glue like Plastic Weld designed for ABS works with PLA, then there are some locally available glues you could try. There is Deluxe Materials Plastic Magic which is available in Aust. I've recently used Gunze Sangyo Mr Glue Deluxe on ABS with success and Tamiya also have an ABS specific glue, labelled Tamiya Cement for ABS. Both are available in Oz hobby shops.

In the past I found Simply Glues Tetra worked well for ABS, but that also disappeared some years ago. It contained THF like the Everbuild hard plastic adhesive mentioned previously.

It's also possible that glues designed for use with acrylic sheet (perspex etc.) would work and you can get them at any place that sells acrylic sheet. eg. plastics suppliers, boat shops.


Regards,
Graeme

[Paul_in_Ricky]

The only solvents that work on PLA seem pretty hazardous, so a 'superglue' is my preferred choice. Having tried a few alternatives I use Slow-Zap (Zap PT-20).
It provides a great strong bond.
It also has good gap filling characteristics and sets slightly slower than many 'superglues' which can be very helpful.
More expensive than the pound shop glues, but so much nicer to use.