Question.I know Alan Curtis N-Scale kits are thru N-Scale Intermodel/Greenlight Intermodel and other companies.I've ordered several kits some aren't completely molded I understand that.I was these kits with soap and water and then let them air dry.The problem is building these kits.I use super glue both medium and thin,but I just can't get them to stay together.I've done everything short of using solder.Does anyone have any suggestions:tb-sad:
Wow...thats a tough one. I have not had that problem...yet! Hopifully someone will have a good answer that has been through this.
I haven't tried to build one of these kits but for a suggestion you may want to try a CA excelerator to speed the process; along with clamps to apply pressure if possible. It's worth a try, and if nothing else if no other responses appear then email the Alan Curtis Co. see what they might have to say. I hope that helps:tb-wink:
Use a file to smooth the areas where you apply the glue. Those areas should look shiny as opposed to the dull look of pewter. I even glued some MT couplers to AC kits and they hold pretty well. You probably cannot solder pewter, at least not without melting it. hth Michael
Walthers GOO will work. I have better luck than with ACC. Parts don't have to be exactly flat. After it cures, remove any excess with an Xacto knife. Read the directions as there are a number of ways to cure it.
Hi guys, these kits are not mine anymore as I retired last year. They are now produced by N Scale Kits, but Peter is away in the USA at the moment. I always used super glue to assemble the kits and had no problems, but as has been said, the areas where contact is made need to be cleaned before gluing. Talc is used as a mold-release during casting, but the main thing is to clean off the surface down to shiny metal. Pewter can be soldered using low melt solder and a temperature controlled iron, but is an acquired skill! Beware.
E-6000 it together! I use a medium viscosity glue to assemble most of the kits I build. Walther's even suggests using a medium viscosity glue to hold their brass etched items to plastic (case being the HO North Island Refinery). An excellent medium viscosity glue I have found is called E-6000 and can be found at Wal-Mart, Michael's, Hobby Lobby, and other like places. It comes in a gray tube with the big letters "E-6000". Hobo Tim
Super glue works by reacting with water vapor on the surface of the metal. This is why the glue works better on your fingers than the part you are gluing. If super glue isn't working then you may have insufficient moisture in the air. Are you in an air conditioned environment? I use an old clothes steamer to add humidity when the Santa Annas blow in and humidity drops low enough to make mummies.
I have used gap filling CA, JB Weld, and also solder for several of these kits, all with good success. HOWEVER!! As noted earlier, beware with solder....I vaporized 1/4" length of side sill trying to solder one kit together and had to rebuild it with solder...that was a job! One second it was there, the next it was gone! Live and learn . NCDaveD.
Thanks for picking this one up Alan - I am now back on Trainboard after an excellent tour of California and Colorado, following the NMRA Convention! This is the process still used, so Alan's comments are totally appropriate. One thing I noticed in the US is the different viscosity of the CA glue. I use a very low viscous glue, but this seems harder to get in the States. Of course this needs a close contact fitting for the capillary action of the glue to work. Also CA does not bond well to CA glue, so if the first attempt does not work, you will need to rub down again. If anyone had problems do contact me off list. Peter Peter Harris N Scale Kits N Scale Kits
I had a thought and would like to know if it makes sense to those that have experience putting these kits together. In this thread I've read about and comment also about an adhesive for these kits, and CA seems to be the biggest. Well I have another idea. Here's my question. Would JB Weld or a similar product work as well if not better??:tb-err:
I am not aware of JB Weld - and I do not recall this being available in the UK. Perhaps someone will let me know what type of product it is. Peter Peter Harris N Scale Kits N Scale Kits
Here ya go Peter http://jbweld.net/products/jbweld.php :tb-cool: btw... INTERNATIONALLY AVAILABLE IN: Canada England France Germany Greece Italy Mexico Russia US Territories (Puerto Rico) :tb-cool:
ROFLMAO... I once had a pair of Red Wing steeltoe boots...after about a year one sole blew half off. I figure it was the thread not standing up to all the torture. Anyways.. I stopped at a walmart and bought some JB Weld...mixed it...slathered it on the sole of that boot and stuck it back together. I parked my truck on that boot overnight. 5 years later...when the top of the boots where to a point I couldnt wear them there boots...the sole was still permantely attached. So...redneck?...yea I guess I are...LOL :tb-biggrin:
Thanks for the briefing. I have used two part epoxy on white metal kits. You need to ensure that the surfaces are slightly rough to make a key. You also have to make sure that parts do not slip during the hardening time, and be very careful of the surplus. Removing this before hardening using a scalpel or similar is vital. Peter Peter Harris N Scale Kits N Scale Kits
Gorilla Glue also makes a CA now. I use it, It's thick and holds like a... well, like a gorilla. its supposedly impact resistant (though I don't wanna test that claim)
