Glue for 3D printed models

James Coutts

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Hi all, I've already posted something about this in the help forum, but I felt it might belong here. I'm new to this hobby, and I'm unsure what sort of glue I should use for 3D printed models? Any advice would be very appreciated.
 
Really depends on what material is used in the 3D printing, I would assume you are talking plastic, or ABS, or maybe aluminium or concrete. So the glue to use would correspond to the 3D material.
 
I use super glue gel for both types of filament. It does not set instantly. The joint remains fluid at first but give it time and it does work.
 
Doing a Google search for both materials it appears it's a bit like the wild west with regards to bonding these materials to themselves or others. It seems there is no "welding" option that dissolves and bonds the materials, like styrene and ABS, together. I have built some rolling stock and locos that incorporate PLA 3D printed parts, both major and minor. None of those parts were bonded to others of the same material. Typically the PLA was bonded to MDF or Acrylic. So, the choice was down to how strong a structural bond I needed, resisting knocks and bashes, and how much physical surface area was available to create a "contact patch" between materials.

For small parts with minimal contact patches, or with "pins" to fit in, I used a a good quality medium - thick CA adhesive. Those with larger contact patches I have used PVA. Both have been where bonding to MDF. Where bonding larger items to acrylic, like large air reciever tanks on a loco, I will "drill and pin" the object to the acrylic part using CA again to secure the metal pins. I avoid epoxies as they degrade over time and, unless designed for it, do not like damp environments.

It would be nice if there were a definitive "table" to work from, I suppose that will come with time. As Jimmy says it's really down to a case by case basis. That and the multiplication of materials now being used for 3D printing. Look at what the traditional "go to's" are for bonding disparate materials and what you are going to do with the final assembly. Max
 
Hi James , PLA is nice to start with and for trials and getting to know the process, have found that ABS is much better to work with (your may need to play with the settings for extrusion) in the long run and better for bonding with plastic magic or other specialist glues. PLa is made from corn starch so it in the long run quite brittle.

As ever I would recommended the excellent teachings of ge_rik ge_rik of this and other forums (a retired teacher himself so that why its set out so well) mussings on the subject.

How I constructed a Southwold Railway 6 wheeled Cleminson open wagon using PETG filament
 
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