10 replies to this topic

[Creepin_pyro]

OK - for plastic shells I need some kind of bonding solvent, right?

Which of the following should I use?

P-Xylene
O-Xylene
M-Xylene
Methylene Chloride (is this Dichloromethane?)

Or is there some easily available alternative?

[Mortartube]

Go out and buy some of the clear liquid glue for plastic model making (not the polystyrene cement in tubes). The clear stuff (in a square glass bottle and made by Humbrol if I recall), contains a percentage of toluene which will glue plastic cases perfectly. When you want to glue the hemi's together, push them ALMOST completely together and then dip a metal rod into the aforementioned adhesive and place a drop or two of adhesive in the slight crack between the hemispheres. If you hold the shell so the crack is at an angle (i.e not horizontal), you should find that the solvent will track around the entire shell of it's own accord. As soon as this happens, push the hemi's fully together. When you get good at this, you will know because you won't have your fingerprints on the shell case after getting solvent on your thumbs. On a warmish day, this will be totally dry within 10 mins. BTW, there's not enough toluene in it if anyone's thinking of any H.E experiments.

[Creepin_pyro]

OK - thanks for the info. I didn't really want a big ol' bottle of Methylene Chloride sitting around anyway

[Jerronimo]

Why not?

I use methelene chloride all the time for my plastic shell's, works absolutely perfect.

[adamw]

I've always found automotive cellulose paint thinners (Xylene / Tolulene) to work great for poly shell hemis. Cheap and readily available.

[Night Owl]

Hi all

When it is pure xylene 99% liquid form, how is it best to make it more like a glue, IE: to thicken it, sorry if the answers here already but ive only just started trying plastic shells, my xylene is in liquid form.

Thanks in advance for replies

[digger]

I have tried a few solvents (all those mentioned), however the easiest I have found to work with is PVC cement. The stuff that is used for welding PVC plumbing pipes. It comes in either a big tub or metal tubes, which is my favorite as it is easy to apply does not run all over the place etc etc. It is fully bonded pretty quickly.

[Mortartube]

Shell shooter man, you shouldn't need to thicken your xylene.

Push the shell hemis, ALMOST all the way together, just leaving a thin groove.

Hold the pushed together hemis in your hand side on to the floor so the groove at the join runs north south. Like this pic (I know it's a card shell but you should be looking down on it like this orientation).

http://www.instructa...BAFLR.SMALL.jpg

Dip a thin aluminium rod into the xylene and drip ONE or TWO drips only into the groove. You should find that the xylene tracks around the groove. When this has happened push them all the way together immediately. Job done.

It takes longer to say it than do it.

[Mortartube]

I have just realised that I have almost completely copied my own post from higher up the page.

[Bub]

Xylene is definately the best glue IMHO.

I always dissolve some polystyrene in it first to thicken it up a bit (those chunks used to pack things are ideal) - it's easy to work with and sets rock hard quick quickly.

You might want to avoid the fumes (although they smell great, they're dangerous) and it's very flammable so do it away from any source of fire or possible ignition.

Have Fun !

-=B=-

[cooperman435]

Just had to but a 5l bottle of Xylene as its all the shop had so it will be going on my for sale page soon (when i get chance) Im gonna try thickening it with some polystyrene too as I find slightly viscous glue better at filling slight inperfections in fit to give a perfect seal.