I went to my local Hobbytown the other day to purchase some paints for my current project. I was informed that Tenax 7R was no longer manufactured. I went on line to a couple of sites that I buy kits from and both were out of stock. I really like using the stuff and what my local Hobbytown offers gives me a headache when I use it and I refuse to buy it. Anybody have any information about this product or what else anyone uses would be greatly appreciated. I order kits online but not usually paints and cement but that may change since my local Hobbytown carries an inadequate supply of both. Thanks for any information.
It’s methylene chloride, or dichloromethane. Safeway Chemicals sells it as SC-125. You can probably buy it by the gallon from a local plastics fabricator. That’s where I get mine.
I couldn’t find this stuff online, and after doing some research I found that lots of people are having a hard time finding it. Much to my surprise, I went to a LHS just to check out what they stocked in the store, and they had a ton of the stuff. I bought a couple bottles just to have. Here’s their website: The Hobby Depot
You may want to try Ambroid Pro-Weld - I’ve used both Tenax and Ambroid, and they’re so close as to be a wash in what I prefer…
I quit using it simply because it didn’t work any better than Testor’s Liquid as far as I could tell, and was about twice the price for half as much…
I haven’t heard that it was being discontinued. I just received a dozen bottles from Squadron.
Much thanks to those who responded. I went online to Micromark and they have a liquid glue called Same Stuff. I’ve ordered a bottle of that to try. Thanks again.
I prefer as my primary solvent Weld-On #3. It too is available from commercial plastic supply houses. A pint can runs under $12 and will last you a long time. They also sell it in smaller cans too for a little less. Just remember to use a working bottle, don’t use the can as your dispenser…it evaporates way too fast and if you spill it it has severe consequences to any plastic nearby.
I will not use anything with methylene chloride in it if possible. I am glad I have never bought any Tenax-7. Methylene chloride is some bad business people. Locally we had some people die form exposure to it and may be a carcinogen. So be very careful with what you are using. I have a very bad experience with this chemical, work related. They have since changed chemicls theyare using.
Also a a note they use to use this to decafenate coffee and tea!!!
Bushi
True that the compound is not good for us. But I don’t really believe there is any cause for panic. If we used it in gallons and were exposed to it for hours a day without proper protective gear, there could be a problem.
But lets keep perspective here. We modelers use it in very minscule amounts. I doubt that such small amounts would have any impact what so ever on the users health. And I’d be willing to bet there are far larger amounts of stuff just as nasty as methylene choloride that we are exposed to everyday that we may or may not even know about and those don’t kill us. From chemicals and compounds in car exhaust to fumes let off by carpet and paint used in our cars and homes. Smokers fill my breathing air with many more dangerous compounds in a single puff than the tiny amount of MC I’ll use in a year. Maybe I should consider using a respirator when I go to lunch at the local bar and grille.
A little caution is a good thing but so is a little perspective.
I was not trying to cause a panic. I just know that like all chemical some are worse than others. Yes you are right we are exposed to more than we know. There are some that are safer in me opinion. And that is just my opinion from having to deal with the stuff. No harm meant.
Bushi
I think as long as we are cautious with the products we use…(I say as I idly scratch at my backside with the new arm that seems to have grown recently from the middle of my back…)
Seriously, I have tried the Tenex product and couldn’t see an advantage in it over the Testors product.
It’s much faster Mike. Tenax is pretty much done in a matter of seconds compared to others.
Unless Tenax makes more than one type of cement, I used the stuff on a couple of kits and decided I’d never use it again.
Nothing against anyone who likes the stuff, and maybe I got a bad batch, but when I got it the bond wasn’t anywhere nearly as effective as the times I’ve used Testor’s liquid. The last straw for me was when the part for the secondary deflector on my USS Voyager from Star Trek separated and fell into the model about 2 weeks after I finished it. I immediately switched brands for projects after that and never had the same problems again.
Good news Tenax 7R fans. The guy at Hobbytown USA in Indianapolis said that the glue is alive and fine. The manufacturer had a problem with their bottle supplier which disrupted distribution. He said it is still available, and then he sold me a bottle. Rick
Now that is very odd and makes me wonder if someone tampered with your bottle of Tenax somehow?
It is the best liquid cement I have tried overall.
Tenax is a very good product and works well, providing it’s used properly. If the product isn’t allowed to get into the joint properly it won’t weld the joint as it should. The stuff evaporates at an alarming rate as anyone that’s used it will attest. If the joint is tight and the product can’t into the join before it evaporates away obviously it won’t do it’s job.
I’ve never had things fall apart from the use of Tenax and infact I stopped using it because it melts the plastic so fast I’ve had to repair many an “oops” because of it. Tamiya extra thin gives me all the work time I need and will still allow me a second or two to wipe up an “oops” without damaging the plastic. I still keep Tenax around for just that perfect situation that warrants it’s use.
For those of you who find Tenax (methylene chloride) too fast or “hot”, and others a littl(a LOT) too pricey:
Weld-on 3 is slower. Most of the folks at IPMS Bong (including some rather incredible scale modelers, and, I believe, former and present editors of FSM) swear by it.
Another alternative is to mix one part toluene with nine parts methylene chloride (Caseway’s SC-125, for example). Very similar to Weld-on 3 and much less offensive odor. I should mention that you shouldn’t breathe any of these things.
I am still curious about the availability of Tenax-7R. The firm’s web site is down and the domain is for sale. I contacted the mayor’s office and the chamber of commerce in the town listed in Tenn. as the address. No one in either office was aware of the product being made there. They gave me the name of the person listed at the street address on the carton of Tenax I have. They is no telephone listed for that address. I wrote to the person listed by city hall at the address but never received a reply. Squadron no longer has any in stock. I ask again. Is it still being made?
I am thinking of trying it as well Ross as it is so much less expensive as well!
I can get a quart at TAP Plastics here for $15.75. That should last me many years.