Wanted..........Better glue for wood models.

DanCooper, haven't heard UHU Hart in many many years. It's been a long time since I bought a Graupner R/C kit that had UHU in it. If my senile mind serves me right, it was a pretty good glue.  Guess I'll just have to get a Graupner catalog and order some. Thanks for the reminder from the past.

Jim

   Ambroid cement is still available. Any hobby shop dealing with Wm. K Walthers (distributor) can get it. I haven't tried to order direct, because most of the shops in my area carry the product.  For wood models, I still prefer,and use either Elmer's Carpenters wood glue, or Titebond. I believe Ace Hardware carries the Elmer's, in a "glue pen". About 5-1/2" long, and 7/8" diameter, it has a fine tip (1/32") at one end, and a broad (7/8" wide) applicator at the other. A plastic hypodermic syringe, with a blunt tip needle, can be used as an applicator for very small parts.

Thank you for your input Mr. Tilley. I've been using the Titebond for about 6 or 7 years. Didn't know about the darker type. Will have to add some to my glue collection.

Have read some of your responses to questions on this forum. I have to say that I have learned a few things. Have also learned a lot from the magazine. Used to be a "stand-off scale" builder. From 5 or 6 feet away they looked PRETTY good. About 6 years ago, my wife bought me a "Scottish Maid" by Artesania Latina for Xmas. She wanted me to build it for our redecorated den with a beach theme. I decided to give it my all. Replaced some of the parts with aftermarket ones and some that I scratchbuilt. Bought quite a few books on shipbuilding and rigging. Halfway through the build, I started reading Fine Scale (COVER TO COVER). Things haven't been the same since. Bought more aftermarket and made more scratchbuilt. I was also a LOT more careful with my work. Well, my wife says that its the best ship I've ever built. She had me build a shelf to display it on and had me put the shelf almost right inside the den door for all to see. Boy has my building changed. It is not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but it is the best I ever thought I could do. I'm now working on a R/C "Emma C. Berry" converted to a copy of the one in Mystic Seaport, without the R/C. My wife bought me a small lathe 2 years ago to help me keep improving.

Thanks for all the info and help you put on the forum for guys like me to read.

Jim

Thank you reklein. There are three "good" shops in my area but they don't carry it. I do have a use for it in mind so I'll keep on looking now that I know its still out there.

Thanks.                                         Jim

I guess one's preferences depend on what one's used to.  I'm a big fan of Titebond (and/or Elmer's Carpenter Glue, which seems to be pretty much the same stuff).  I find it to be extremely strong (far stronger than necessary for model building) and easy to work with, and the drying time, for my taste, is just about right for most purposes.  When it's still wet, it can be cleaned up with water; if you notice a spill before it dries, you can usually wipe it up with a damp rag thoroughly enough to avoid problems with stain.  That's not the case with Ambroid.  (Maybe it can be cleaned up with acetone; I've never tried it.)

You might also try the variation of Titebond (or Elmer's) that's formulated for use on dark woods.  It's a medium brown in color; accidental missteps with it on woods like mahogany and walnut are far less conspicuous.