Araldite - two part epoxy, is there anything better?

[Guest Jack Benson]

Hi,

 

After an almost 30 year hiatus, the construction of a whitemetal loco kit is about to begin. Unfortunately both Parkinsons and other dread medico problems preclude wielding a soldering iron therefore it is glue that will be used to hold the bits together. Normally, a couple of packs of Araldite (normal and rapid) would be the first choice but surely things have moved on?  An unanswered message for advice was sent this specialist retailer therefore any advice will be much appreciated.

 

Over to you

 

Thank you

 

 

[decauville1126]

I have used Poundland's 2-piece epoxy (£1 per pack) without problems, and also their superglue (7 mini tubes per pack for £1). Much cheaper than "branded" versions.

[Daddyman]

MRJ numbers 136 and 137 had some good articles on glues - you should be able to get hold of them second hand or as back issues from: https://www.titfield.co.uk/Wild-Swan/MRJ-Journal.htm

 

There's also this thread on Loctite on the Scalefour forum: 

https://www.scalefour.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=7234

[Giles]

The best I have found, and I now use all the time when I use epoxy is Devcon 5 minute. I buy it in the 250mm quantity, which comes in plastic bottles - making it MUCH easier to dispense and much cheaper than the normal tubes.

 

After 24hrs it is very strong, and significantly better than just about all the other proxies I have tried. One can buy it via Amazon.

[Guest Jack Benson]

Hi,

Unfortunately no Poundland nearby therefore everything is mail-order.

 

Giles -"I buy it in the 250mm quantity, which comes in plastic bottles - making it MUCH easier to dispense and much cheaper than the normal tubes."

 

May I ask, is this the Devcon to use? The Amazon site is somewhat confusing but I found this image:-

 

 

 

And thanks to all for your help, much appreciated.

 

 

Edited October 30, 2020 by Jack Benson

[PatB]

I'd put in another vote for Devcon. I've also found the JB Weld range to be excellent, though not quite having the magical properties sometimes ascribed to it. I recently discovered the availability of a 1 minute variety, as well as the 5 minute. 

 

I tend to avoid what is sold here as Araldite. I've found it to be a bit rubbery and not confidence inspiring. 

[Giles]

Absolutely  - that's what I got...... there's much less wastage as well.

[Daddyman]

5 hours ago, Jack Benson said:

Hi,

Unfortunately no Poundland nearby therefore everything is mail-order.

 

Giles -"I buy it in the 250mm quantity, which comes in plastic bottles - making it MUCH easier to dispense and much cheaper than the normal tubes."

 

May I ask, is this the Devcon to use? The Amazon site is somewhat confusing but I found this image:-

 

 

 

And thanks to all for your help, much appreciated.

 

 

Postage seems to be £17.05 on that one from Amazon though! Postage free on ebay: 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2380057.m570.l1313&_nkw=devcon+5+minute+epoxy+4oz&_sacat=0 

Edited October 30, 2020 by Daddyman

[Guest Jack Benson]

A short postscript,

 

I purchased from eBay as I simply don't buy from Amazon.

 

Cheers and Stay Safe

 

 

[philsandy]

21 hours ago, PatB said:

I'd put in another vote for Devcon. I've also found the JB Weld range to be excellent, though not quite having the magical properties sometimes ascribed to it. I recently discovered the availability of a 1 minute variety, as well as the 5 minute. 

 

I tend to avoid what is sold here as Araldite. I've found it to be a bit rubbery and not confidence inspiring. 

 

Yes,  Araldite Rapid has a slight rubbery texture when it has set (2 hrs.), you can make an impression in it with your fingernail.  The regular Araldite sets rock hard (14 hrs.).

[PatB]

2 hours ago, philsandy said:

 

Yes,  Araldite Rapid has a slight rubbery texture when it has set (2 hrs.), you can make an impression in it with your fingernail.  The regular Araldite sets rock hard (14 hrs.).

Not the stuff sold here in Oz, I'm afraid. It's nothing like I remember the proper British stuff. It seems to be made under licence and, I suppose, may be slightly different in order to improve its shelf life in hot conditions or some such. I use a fair bit of epoxy, and, generally, if I want the non-rapid variety, I favour a product called Techniglue (can't remember the parent company, and I'm not going out to the shed to check just now), which comes as a 2-part gel. That's usually in non-modelling applications though. I can't think of many things on a model railway that require the superior properties, so modelling things tend to get 5 minute JB Weld or Devon, depending on what I have to hand, or which shop I'm near first when I need a new pack. 

[martinT]

On 30/10/2020 at 11:56, Giles said:

The best I have found, and I now use all the time when I use epoxy is Devcon 5 minute. I buy it in the 250mm quantity, which comes in plastic bottles - making it MUCH easier to dispense and much cheaper than the normal tubes.

 

After 24hrs it is very strong, and significantly better than just about all the other proxies I have tried. One can buy it via Amazon.

It's quite expensive compared with the stuff in tubes. What's its shelf life?

 

Martin

[Giles]

I paid £18 or so for the bottles which are 125ml, Against the tubes which are 0.5oz or 14.2g - so approximately 8 times as much for 3 times the price..... The labels don't give any information about the shelf life. It's on Amazon with free postage on my computer,  so if you shop around.....

[Torper]

The last couple of epoxy resins I've bought have been the 2-tube and plunger variety sold by Lidl.  Both have been perfectly adequate for my model railway requirements, both were workable for between 5 and 10 minutes (longer to set hard), and both lasted until empty which is more than can be said of the expensive bottle variety I had previously.  Lidl only has these in occasionally (they're not in at the moment) and I'd suggest that if you see them, buy one.

 

DT

[5050]

My experiences with 5-min epoxy have not been good, even with 'quality' brands.  If I need a good bond these days I use the 'proper' stuff (my tubes are many years old but still work, even if they are a bit 'messy') and generally do the work before going to bed so that it's set OK by morning.

 

I tried the 2-tube type some years ago and found that it contaminated itself very easily and went off before I had used much of it.  Never been tempted to try again.

 

I'm also not a great fan of so-called 'superglue'.  Again, not had much success with it despite trying for many years.  OK for securing small wires in tight holes (eg handrails) but not for anything of any size.

[polybear]

5 hours ago, martinT said:

It's quite expensive compared with the stuff in tubes. What's its shelf life?

 

Martin

 

From the Devcon Data Sheet:

 

Devcon Epoxy Adhesives should be stored in a cool dry place when not used for a long
period of time. A shelf life of 3 years from date of manufacture can be expected when stored
at room temperature (22ºC) in their original containers. The expiry will be displayed on the
product packaging.

 

The same applies to both the 5 minute and 2 Ton versions

 

HTH

[hayfield]

Jack

 

I was converted away from the supermarket type superglue to industrial grade. It is stronger, sold in larger quantities and lasts a long time

 

https://www.sealantsandtoolsdirect.co.uk/adhesives/super_glues_and_carded_adhesives/everbuild_industrial_superglue_gp_medium_viscosity_50g_cyn50_P23421.html?gclid=CjwKCAiAnIT9BRAmEiwANaoE1czUiuaWNLQX4YxYYwh91MVVWdYx1akec1rRWpIfM10BrsXqJve4_BoCA5cQAvD_BwE

 

I have also found "Miter Bond" glue (as used by window & kitchen installers) again to be extremely useful (2 part super glue (gel) which has tube of glue and activator

 

But for  other applications I use a polymer type (No More Nails ?)

 

But if using superglue for whitemetal kits, for sticking larger pieces I would prefer to use a filet of 2 part to support the joint

 

As an aside once my house hold brand 2 part is used up I will try and buy an industrial grade version rather than a more  https://www.sealantsandtoolsdirect.co.uk/adhesives/super_glues_and_carded_adhesives/everbuild_rapid_epoxy_syringe_adhesive_s2rapex24_P23741.html?gclid=CjwKCAiAnIT9BRAmEiwANaoE1dijB-XPKYBQnnbJe3CxgobmVYTKsPjK3AsDtWeGiKfCFBzL3I0PGhoC7jIQAvD_BwE   normal brand, if its half as good as their super glue I will be very happy