Paul Payne Posted March 11, 2022 Share Posted March 11, 2022 I have a project requiring 12 identical shapes which I would like to shape as a single block, then soak in water to separate them. They will be formed from flat styrene sheet. I have tried roughing out the shape, then gluing and clamping these together with Elmer's glue. The problem is that the sheets separate when I begin working them. Any suggestions for a glue which is water soluble but will hold things together? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Straightliner59 Posted March 11, 2022 Share Posted March 11, 2022 You might give Alene's Tacky Glue a shot. Since it remains flexible, it might hold better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Payne Posted March 11, 2022 Author Share Posted March 11, 2022 Thanks, Dan, I will check that out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Posted March 11, 2022 Share Posted March 11, 2022 If the tacky glue doesn't work, you might use extremely small drops of super glue. It won't dissolve the plastic, and once the pieces are separated it can be scraped and/or sanded off. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Casey Posted March 11, 2022 Share Posted March 11, 2022 (edited) Are double stick tape or carpet tape options? Edited March 11, 2022 by Casey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Payne Posted March 12, 2022 Author Share Posted March 12, 2022 I don't think the tape would work due to all edges being sanded/filed and adhesion surfaces would be very small. Thanks anyways. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CabDriver Posted March 12, 2022 Share Posted March 12, 2022 I agree on the Tacky Glue - works just like Elmer’s, but much stickier. I’ve used a regular glue gun for larger parts before, and that works well if you need a stronger (but still temporary) bond. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1930fordpickup Posted March 12, 2022 Share Posted March 12, 2022 Could you put a hole or two in the parts? 2 would be best and then put a piece or plastic rod to align them. When the parts are in the shape you need just fill the holes with the same size plastic rod and sand down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Straightliner59 Posted March 12, 2022 Share Posted March 12, 2022 1 hour ago, 1930fordpickup said: Could you put a hole or two in the parts? 2 would be best and then put a piece or plastic rod to align them. When the parts are in the shape you need just fill the holes with the same size plastic rod and sand down. An excellent idea, when it can be used! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOBLNG Posted March 12, 2022 Share Posted March 12, 2022 14 hours ago, Paul Payne said: I have a project requiring 12 identical shapes which I would like to shape as a single block, then soak in water to separate them. They will be formed from flat styrene sheet. I have tried roughing out the shape, then gluing and clamping these together with Elmer's glue. The problem is that the sheets separate when I begin working them. Any suggestions for a glue which is water soluble but will hold things together? Roughly how big and how thick are the pieces? Could you leave a “handle” or two on them? The handles could be the attachment point that could glued solid with epoxy or old Testors tube glue. Then after shaping, each piece would require only minimal cleanup to remove the handles. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie8575 Posted March 14, 2022 Share Posted March 14, 2022 Microscale offers a light-duty glue that's billed as usable for temporary positioning of parts. It looks like it's similar to the adhesive used on Post-It notes in liquid form. Charlie Larkin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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