nigelb Posted August 21, 2017 Share Posted August 21, 2017 Are there any recommended alternatives to MEK ? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jub45565 Posted August 21, 2017 Share Posted August 21, 2017 (edited) What are you trying to attach to what, and struggling to achieve? Mekpak is stil available from Slaters, and Butanone (sseing as you mention it in the title) froms Carrs which is now with Phoenix I believe (there may be short term supply issues while the handover from C&L pans out). With all glues its horses for courses. Edited August 21, 2017 by Jub45565 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold chris p bacon Posted August 21, 2017 RMweb Gold Share Posted August 21, 2017 For a slower acting solvent I use D-Limonene, not as aggressive as Mek and seems better suited to laminations. Try Hobby Holidays/Eileens/Ebay for supply. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium dhjgreen Posted August 21, 2017 RMweb Premium Share Posted August 21, 2017 ...Mekpak is stil available from Slaters... For completeness, Mekpak is not actually MEK, so if you really need it be aware. Mekpak will not glue DC Kits parts. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold chris p bacon Posted August 21, 2017 RMweb Gold Share Posted August 21, 2017 Mekpak will not glue DC Kits parts. They use ABS (?) so you need Butanone. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium dhjgreen Posted August 21, 2017 RMweb Premium Share Posted August 21, 2017 They use ABS (?) so you need Butanone. Agreed but MEK is the same thing as Butanone, just Mekpak is not MEK. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Dunsignalling Posted August 21, 2017 RMweb Gold Share Posted August 21, 2017 (edited) Agreed but MEK is the same thing as Butanone, just Mekpak is not MEK. Agreed. Also, if acquired from non-modelling suppliers, MEK (Methyl-Ethyl-Ketone) nowadays seems to be designated EMK (Ethyl-Methyl-Ketone). It still smells the same and joins bits of styrene together, though. John Edited August 21, 2017 by Dunsignalling Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arthur Posted August 21, 2017 Share Posted August 21, 2017 An alternative is Plastic Weld, as here; http://modelshop.co.uk/Shop/Adhesives/Item/Plastic-Weld-Solvent-57ml/ITM5060 I buy it in larger quantities by it's chemical name, Methylene Chloride or dichloromethane, and it seems to stick most modelling plastics. . Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
knitpick Posted August 21, 2017 Share Posted August 21, 2017 For what it's worth, I use EMA Plastic Weld. Works fine with DC Kits, Wills Building kits amongst other things. I use a fine cheap (dedicated) paint brush to apply. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nigelb Posted August 21, 2017 Author Share Posted August 21, 2017 (edited) sorry its to stick 7mm chairs to sleepers I have found a supplier of MEK 1 litre for 12 pounds and 8.50 pounds delivery cheaper than slaters 475 Ml and just ordered it from Amazon for 9.99 for a litre with free P&P Edited August 21, 2017 by nigelb 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnH Posted August 23, 2017 Share Posted August 23, 2017 sorry its to stick 7mm chairs to sleepers I have found a supplier of MEK 1 litre for 12 pounds and 8.50 pounds delivery cheaper than slaters 475 Ml and just ordered it from Amazon for 9.99 for a litre with free P&P Please let us know how you get on with this. Could you post a link to the item? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nigelb Posted August 23, 2017 Author Share Posted August 23, 2017 Please let us know how you get on with this. Could you post a link to the item? Will do i am expecting delivery any time this week ( I have had an email yesterday confirming dispatch) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hroth Posted August 23, 2017 Share Posted August 23, 2017 If you ordered from "Shiny Hardware", then it should arrive a day after they confirmed dispatch. I got a litre of isopropyl alcohol (essential for track and electrical contact cleaning!) from them recently and I was very impressed by how soon it arrived! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nigelb Posted August 23, 2017 Author Share Posted August 23, 2017 If you ordered from "Shiny Hardware", then it should arrive a day after they confirmed dispatch. I got a litre of isopropyl alcohol (essential for track and electrical contact cleaning!) from them recently and I was very impressed by how soon it arrived! Yes ordered from them Plus a litre of iso alco as well the email said delivery today so just waiting for the courier to arrive Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nigelb Posted August 25, 2017 Author Share Posted August 25, 2017 As requested a bit about the MEK I purchased from Amazon ( Shiney Hardware) It arrived 2 days after being ordered in sturdy cardboard box containing the plastic bottle with child proof cap https://www.amazon.co.uk/Litre-1000ml-M-E-K-99-9-CHILD/dp/B005Z1K4SM/ref=pd_sbs_147_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=JGJEHADDVXD6FHCS2EHA is a link to it there are other suppliers and I have no connection to Amazon or teh supplier. I got it home and thought i would have a play , 1. Thing to note OPEN THE WINDOWS this stuff is a solvent and is not nice to breathe in 2. Make sure you have a clear area away from the edge of your work bench as its a bigish bottle ( i will be looking for a smaller suitable container to decant some into) I stuck a couple of C&L's chairs to a laser cut sleeper and was impressed how quickly it bonded and as I have read you can pop them off by slipping a scalpel blade between the chair and sleeper, I tried and yes it was possible Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlackRat Posted August 25, 2017 Share Posted August 25, 2017 An alternative is Plastic Weld, as here; http://modelshop.co.uk/Shop/Adhesives/Item/Plastic-Weld-Solvent-57ml/ITM5060 I buy it in larger quantities by it's chemical name, Methylene Chloride or dichloromethane, and it seems to stick most modelling plastics. . I get acetone, limolene and dichloromethane off of eBay, cheap as chips by the litre or more. Stored ( in a metal cabinet retrieved from a skip) in the garage and I decant into smaller bottles as and when needed. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Zero Gravitas Posted August 25, 2017 RMweb Gold Share Posted August 25, 2017 I would also recommend "Shiny Hardware" as a supplier - no connection except as a satisfied customer. I'd also strongly endorse Black Rat's suggestion about the metal cabinet in the garage - these are,after all, highly inflammable chemicals! In addition, if I might be so bold, keep the containers in a polythene box (like a "really useful box") big enough to act as a bunding just in case of leakage. As well as being inflammable, these are not chemicals that should be getting out into the environment. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
KalKat Posted August 25, 2017 Share Posted August 25, 2017 I use the brown 'medicine' bottles for my solvents. A good anti spill base can be made from the lid from Q-tip containers - or a block of wood with a (large) hole bored through it. Emma Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnH Posted August 25, 2017 Share Posted August 25, 2017 As requested a bit about the MEK I purchased from Amazon ( Shiney Hardware) It arrived 2 days after being ordered in sturdy cardboard box containing the plastic bottle with child proof cap https://www.amazon.co.uk/Litre-1000ml-M-E-K-99-9-CHILD/dp/B005Z1K4SM/ref=pd_sbs_147_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=JGJEHADDVXD6FHCS2EHA is a link to it there are other suppliers and I have no connection to Amazon or teh supplier. I got it home and thought i would have a play , 1. Thing to note OPEN THE WINDOWS this stuff is a solvent and is not nice to breathe in 2. Make sure you have a clear area away from the edge of your work bench as its a bigish bottle ( i will be looking for a smaller suitable container to decant some into) I stuck a couple of C&L's chairs to a laser cut sleeper and was impressed how quickly it bonded and as I have read you can pop them off by slipping a scalpel blade between the chair and sleeper, I tried and yes it was possible Thanks Nigel and I'm glad it works well. I had an issue with an Ebay supplier of 'MEK' - it smelt a bit 'solventy' but it didn't dissolve/glue anything... You can set fire to it though In fairness, the Ebay seller refunded my money without question. Thanks again. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nigelb Posted August 25, 2017 Author Share Posted August 25, 2017 Thanks Nigel and I'm glad it works well. I had an issue with an Ebay supplier of 'MEK' - it smelt a bit 'solventy' but it didn't dissolve/glue anything... You can set fire to it though In fairness, the Ebay seller refunded my money without question. Thanks again. no promlems with this stuck sticking like s**t to a blanket breaking the joint with a scalpel was hard so i can recomend this suppliers Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnH Posted September 22, 2017 Share Posted September 22, 2017 Just an update on my experience of the MEK supplied by 'Shinyhardware'. Bought 1 litre (probably see me out for the duration ) on Ebay for £9.99 including P&P. It works very well bonding styrene sheet/strip, Cambrian kits and also the black 'plastic' underframes on old Hornby OAA wagons. I've no connection with the supplier. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold ikcdab Posted July 12, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted July 12, 2020 So, my conclusion from this is that MEK = butanone and can be used for bonding styrene and for sticking c&l chairs to ply sleepers. Skaters MEK PAK is slightly different. And Dichloromethane is different again. Is seems like butanone (MEK) is the best all round bet. Is my summary correct? Thanks Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dasatcopthorne Posted July 12, 2020 Share Posted July 12, 2020 I use Butanone solely. By it on eBay. So cheap. While you're at it get some IPA 99%. Dave 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
brossard Posted July 12, 2020 Share Posted July 12, 2020 5 hours ago, ikcdab said: So, my conclusion from this is that MEK = butanone and can be used for bonding styrene and for sticking c&l chairs to ply sleepers. Skaters MEK PAK is slightly different. And Dichloromethane is different again. Is seems like butanone (MEK) is the best all round bet. Is my summary correct? Thanks I've been building a lot of turnouts using Peco chairs and laser cut ply timbers. I got my MEK from a local source, 1 liter tin. Works great. Butanone and MEK are interchangeable, ie identical. Comes down to price I guess. John 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Nile Posted July 13, 2020 RMweb Premium Share Posted July 13, 2020 22 hours ago, ikcdab said: MEK = butanone Yes. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butanone MEK is the old name, Butanone the modern name, chemically speaking. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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