About a year ago, I reentered the model airplane hobby market after about a 30 year absence. I am amazed by all the new gadgets, gizmos, photo etched, etc, etc. It is very frustrating for me to be reading Fine Scale Modeler or Model Airplane International and see products mentioned that I have no idea what they are for. One of these is Tamiya Extra Thin Cement. What is the difference between it and regular Testors model cement or Cyanoacrylate? I also do not understand the use of 2-part Epoxy. Your input will be very appreciated.
Tamiya Extra Thin cement is similar to Ambroid or Tenex; it is a thin liquid glue that “welds” the plastic together. It can be applied with an paintbrush or a touch-n-flow applicator. It is nothing like CA glue; it is somewhat similar to the Testors stuff in the orange tube, but extremely thin.
Two-part epoxy is usually used where you need a strong bond between 2 dissimilar materials. It’s handy for putting in canopies and windshields because it doesn’t fog like CA glus can and it usually won’t mar the plastic like the “welder” type glues can. I’ve also used the clear epoxy to make small amounts of water or water effects.
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You might want to read this thread it will explain more about using liquid cements/solvents. Be sure to follow the links it includes.
Epoxy is as described above for special bonding of dissimilar materials. You probably won’t use it often but it still is a viable option to have in your building tools and resources. I’ve only ever used it to hold something in place internally in the course of build, such as a bulkhead.
Not to steall this thread, but Gerald, what type or brank of epoxy would be used for metal landing gear to plastic bays??..Harv
OH, and Ron , to the crazy house!!
For that application I would use CA.
Unless you are able to secure and hold the landing gears alignment for the length of time it takes for the epoxy to setup, you’re better off using CA. Also, CA offers you the ablility to “undo” should something go wrong…epoxy is forever.
My epoxy of choice has been Hysol 608 a Loctite product. I picked up some .14oz packets a while back…oh some twenty years ago…they are still good! It dries fast and clear. The small packets allow you enough for the small tasks at hand without having larger tubes that could possibly dry out and harden before you use them up. They are still available…these we used in the military for small repairs for just about everything under the sun.
otherwise you can get it in tubes too
Tremendous help guys - a big thanks!!!
Extra thin is nice because some times theres a small panel line that needs filling where the application of putty would be way too much. The capillary action is great.
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