question on weld seams.

I'm not sure of "ca not"? Do you mean Cyano (short for Cyanoacrylate commonly called superglue)?

Normal Polystyrene cement actually "melts" the kit parts, causing the plastic to "blend" together. The setting process is like letting hot material cool. As long as you leave it for 24 hours, I can't see how a pyrograve would effect the join....unless it was on a high stress join maybe.

Plastic card can be joined by using a more virulent solvent like MEK (Methol Ethol Ketone) to achieve a slightly stronger join, but it has to be used sparingly.

I prefer not to use Cyano glues for 90 degree joins in plastics as they do not hold as strong as they do if the two sections are hard up against each other.

Maybe you should try out what you want to do on an old kit, or some surplus/spare parts, if you have any, before trying it on your new project.

Cheers

Peter from Down Under

There's a great tutorial on weld seams on this site freefall.

http://mbie.proboards13.com/index.cgi?board=construction&action=display&num=1058656106

Great link, Sherm, Thanks. Where do we get trichloroethylene in the states? I don't think they've sold that as a cleaner for years!

Bill

robert,thanks for the pointer.

gazza

I'm the author of the article that Shermafreak mentioned, I' don't know where you can find it, in Italy I find it at supermarkets because is used to remove grease stains from clothes. I find it too at HW stores. If you do not succeed in your "quest" you can use thin liquid glue from Tamiya, the one with the green lid...
Ciao

No problem guys .... not sure where to find Triwhateveryoucallit here either ... but I will certainly look.

Special thanks to Fabio for this great tutorial .... if you check that site out, he has a few more that are great too.

Sherm, Sherm, Sherm! What are we going to do with you??? You make me chuckle! You are too funny!

I'm not sure if that stuff has been banned over here or not. I know carbon tetrachloride has been and was thinking it was too, but I could be up in the night and out in a tree! I may have a look see at Michael's tonight and I'll let you all know what I find out.

Fabio, thanks for sharing such terrific info. I haven't tried stretching spru yet, but maybe this will help to get my courage up! Your sample work is really terrific, by the way!
I was stationed in Sav Vito for 2 and a half years back in the late '70's, btw. Really miss the fetucini carbonara! (But not the calamari!)

Have a great day,

ciao to you too,
Bill

Okay, I've called Michael's, Lowe's, and Sherwin-William Paints. No one has it. S-W didn't even show it in their database. I guess an industrial supply company might have it, or at least know if it's available anywhere. Sorry, guys. Looks like we may be religated to the Tamiya glue option!

Bill

Latest update on the search for Triitandseewhathappenstoyou ...... in North America it is commonly used as a metal degreasor and known as TCE.

I have found one supplier in the U.S. though ...... how many car loads do you think you will need though, and does the Union Pacific pass through your area?

This is a pretty touchy commodity though with more law suits against it than a cigarette manufacturer.

Probably best to use the liquid glue to make the plastic soft.