Epoxy or Superglue

[BigDaddy]

I have always wondered what is a better glue for resin?? Epoxy or Superglue (ACC). I was told once that epoxy could loose its bonding strength over time, UV breaks it down, and it will peel off the part. I have had superglue fail at joints of boots and lower legs- before I started pinning everything.

So what is your take (or expert advice for the chemists out there) ???

Thanks for any ideas and advice-

Matt

 

[thegoodsgt]

I've seen superglue fail more frequently than epoxy, so I use the latter, pinning parts that will be stressed. Actually, I pin a lot of parts; I'd rather a figure be over-secure than to have it fall apart in my hands while I'm painting it.

 

[Lou Masses]

Matt,

For resin-superglue works best. I usually use the slow cure type so I can readjust parts if necessary. When you use the regular stuff it bonds instantly and is impoosible to remove save using debonder. I have never had a resin part come aprt with superglue. Hell, I've even tried to pry them apart and have broken the area around the bond, but not been able to break the bond. Only thing you have to make sure of is that the glue is relatively fresh.

For resin, I've never found it necessary to pin anything due to the bond of the glue and the light weight of the resin. Metal is another story, pin, epoxy, hold and pray.

Lou

 

[Kisifer]

For me, from now on.. for big pieces will be pin and epoxy. I had an accident recently when the figure (torso,legs,) fell from the base while i was painting it. So i would recommend epoxy especially for big scale figures 75mm + and also for 54mm for the main torso. Superglue is great for small pieces.

 

[Lou Masses]

A resin figure?

 

[Le Lancier]

Taking into account that Superglue is cyanoacrylate glue, I use it for resin almost exclusively. A slow hardening type for larger part, a fast drying type for smaller parts. I find that pinning and cyanoacrylate do a great job with resin. By the same token, not all brands of cyanoacrylate are as effective as the manufacturer would lead you to believe. I've tried quite a few brands before I found my kind. So I suppose it's a trial and error type of thing

 

[Roc]

I have used superglue and 5 minute epoxy on resin figures for years, never had a problem.
I use super glue for small parts and epoxy for larger parts.


Cheers

Roc.

 

[Einion]

Originally posted by BigDaddy@Mar 15 2005, 05:01 PM
I was told once that epoxy could loose its bonding strength over time, UV breaks it down...

Hi Matt, UV can break down epoxy but inside a join, protected by primer and paint there's not a lot of risk of it getting to the glue is there?

I use both, sometimes in the same join*, for resin. Superglue is perfect for joining small parts but for larger parts, and especially load-bearing joins, I would at least use pins as well particularly if you ever want the piece to travel. I would use epoxy because it's less brittle than superglue and will take a little vibration and knocks with less chance of coming apart because unlike superglue it has very good shear strength.

*Small dots of superglue for 'tack welds' and a blob of epoxy in the centre as the main adhesive.

Einion

 

[Einion]

Originally posted by Le Lancier@Mar 16 2005, 12:30 AM
By the same token, not all brands of cyanoacrylate are as effective as the manufacturer would lead you to believe. I've tried quite a few brands before I found my kind.

That's a very good point, they are not all of equal quality as I've found out to my cost.

Einion

 

[amherbert]

Ok, so there have been two mentions of quality differences in superglue.
What are the brands you guys have liked/disliked?

Any epoxy differences?

Andy