Your opinion of Tenax Liquid Cement?

ruddratt

Member since
February 2006
From: Smithers, BC, Canada

Posted by ruddratt on Wednesday, February 22, 2006 9:30 PM

I've been using MEK for years. I keep small supplies handy in old Tenax bottles, opening them just long enough to draw enough into a touch & flow applicator. Then I cap the bottles. Seems to cut down a bit on the fumes.

Mike

"We have our own ammunition. It's filled with paint. When we fire it, it makes pretty pictures....scares the hell outta people."

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Triarius

Member since
January 2003
From: Peoples Socialist Democratic Republic of Illinois

Posted by Triarius on Monday, February 6, 2006 3:32 PM

DURR wrote:
i used it to glue a twisted fuselage together i let it dry a couple hours took the clamps of all good right... about 1 min later i am sitting there and 1/2 the fuselage blows by my face like a bullet the other 1/2 went the other way

Been there! Done that! Propeller [8-]

Ross Martinek A little strangeness, now and then, is a good thing… Wink

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DURR

Member since
July 2013

Posted by DURR on Monday, February 6, 2006 11:59 AM

i used it to glue a twisted fuselage together i let it dry a couple hours took the clamps of all good right... about 1 min later i am sitting there and 1/2 the fuselage blows by my face like a bullet the other 1/2 went the other way

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Triarius

Member since
January 2003
From: Peoples Socialist Democratic Republic of Illinois

Posted by Triarius on Monday, February 6, 2006 8:47 AM

hkshooter wrote:
I used Tenax for the first time tonight. That stuff is amazing! Wish I had tried it years ago!

Where can a guy buy the SC-25? I'm not sure I'd go for it because this little ounce bottle looks like it will last for years and I would never use a quart or more of the stuff before it dried up. Or will it dry up? Does the stuff have any kind of limited shelf life?

That's SC-125. This particular repackaging of the industrial chemical is from Caseway Industrial Products, Inc. But there are many other producers and distributors. The chemical name is dichloromethane or methylene chloride. A local plastics distributor should have the equivalent, just ask for it by chemical name. For plastics use, it comes in a number of different varieties with different applications. Here is a link to Caseway Industrial.

See, in particular, their links to MSDS. and their product descriptions (a large pdf file) which will give you an idea of what's available.

If you are unsure where to find a plastics distributor near your location (business yellow pages or internet) try this link to the International Association of Plastics Distributors.

Ross Martinek A little strangeness, now and then, is a good thing… Wink

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hkshooter

Member since
December 2003
From: Indiana

Posted by hkshooter on Sunday, February 5, 2006 8:25 PM

I used Tenax for the first time tonight. That stuff is amazing! Wish I had tried it years ago!

Where can a guy buy the SC-25? I'm not sure I'd go for it because this little ounce bottle looks like it will last for years and I would never use a quart or more of the stuff before it dried up. Or will it dry up? Does the stuff have any kind of limited shelf life?

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STUG61

Member since
January 2005
From: Meeeechigan!!!

Posted by STUG61 on Saturday, February 4, 2006 8:14 PM

I like Tenax just fine.I use an old liner brush and it works well for me.

Recently though I went to MEK.Unless you're slopping it around and glueing huge parts with a bunch of it things should be O.K.The top is only off long enough to attatch the parts and I'm careful not to spill or handle the liquid itself.I have no children or such things to worry about so I like the cost.JMHO

Smile! It makes people nervous!! Andy

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Triarius

Member since
January 2003
From: Peoples Socialist Democratic Republic of Illinois

Posted by Triarius on Saturday, February 4, 2006 6:27 PM

According to the MSDS, Tenax is 98 to 100 percent methylene chloride. I can't locate an MSDS for it, but apparently ProWeld is, too.

Comparison of the $3 for 1 ounce price of Tenax and the $0.20 an ounce for SC-125, which do you think I won't be buying?

Caveat emptor!!!!

Ross Martinek A little strangeness, now and then, is a good thing… Wink

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Triarius

Member since
January 2003
From: Peoples Socialist Democratic Republic of Illinois

Posted by Triarius on Saturday, February 4, 2006 6:01 PM

Woody, you are correct—I must have been thinking of something else. Perhaps those of us with access to or knowledge of MSDS's should make a habit of distributing that information here.

Ross Martinek A little strangeness, now and then, is a good thing… Wink

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Woody

Member since
December 2002
From: Third rock from the sun.

Posted by Woody on Saturday, February 4, 2006 11:06 AM

Living Legend wrote:
Both Tenax and Ambroid say right on the bottle that they contain a chemical known to cause cancer I just assumed it was MEK. I guess that Im wrong in this assumption, but just for curiosity what is the chemical that they contain that is harmfull if it isnt MEK?

MEK is not a carcinogenic. The main danger is that it is readily absorbed into the body and may effect the central nervous system. It also doesn't build up in your system. http://www.temarry.com/MSDS/Methyl_Ethyl_Ketone_msds.htm

I am in charge of the OSHA MSDS compliance at the manufacturing company where I work and have looked into this because we inventory the chemical and I use it personally.

" I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast; for I intend to go in harm's way." --John Paul Jones

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Triarius

Member since
January 2003
From: Peoples Socialist Democratic Republic of Illinois

Posted by Triarius on Saturday, February 4, 2006 10:23 AM

Living Legend wrote:
Both Tenax and Ambroid say right on the bottle that they contain a chemical known to cause cancer I just assumed it was MEK. I guess that Im wrong in this assumption, but just for curiosity what is the chemical that they contain that is harmfull if it isnt MEK?

I found the MSDS. It's methylene chloride, possibly with some additives to slow evaporation time.

Here is a useful link to MSDS information on the web: HMMS

I'm glad this came up—I'm going to check the evaporation time of Tenax vs. SC-125 (which is pure methylene chloride). If they are the same, I'll never buy another bottle of Tenax! Sad [:(]

Ross Martinek A little strangeness, now and then, is a good thing… Wink

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, February 4, 2006 6:01 AM

Both Tenax and Ambroid say right on the bottle that they contain a chemical known to cause cancer I just assumed it was MEK. I guess that Im wrong in this assumption, but just for curiosity what is the chemical that they contain that is harmfull if it isnt MEK?

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Triarius

Member since
January 2003
From: Peoples Socialist Democratic Republic of Illinois

Posted by Triarius on Thursday, February 2, 2006 11:12 AM

qmiester wrote:
MEK (Methyl Ethyl Ketone) will work as a plastic glue. However, you need to work an a well ventilated area. Plus the Flash Point of MEK is 32 degrees F. (0 degrees C) - and don't ask how I happen to know that. Some modelers do use it as a cement/glue.

I'd avoid MEK for the reasons stated above—highly toxic and I think now listed as at least a probable carcinogen.

If there is a plastic fabricator or supply house in your area, they may have gallon and quart cans of various solvent cements. That's where I get my SC-125. (I also use Tenax.)

ALL solvent cements should be used only with adequate ventilation.

Ross Martinek A little strangeness, now and then, is a good thing… Wink

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qmiester

Member since
May 2003
From: Central USA

Posted by qmiester on Tuesday, January 31, 2006 8:24 AM

MEK (Methyl Ethyl Ketone) will work as a plastic glue. However, you need to work an a well ventilated area. Plus the Flash Point of MEK is 32 degrees F. (0 degrees C) - and don't ask how I happen to know that. Some modelers do use it as a cement/glue.

Quincy

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, January 30, 2006 3:17 AM

matthew9 wrote:
I just run it or dab it on the seam and it does the rest.

I do that but with ambroid. I have Tenax but am waiting to try till Im finished with the Ambroid then Ill see which I prefer. Has anyone tried to use MEK from a hardware store? The price would sure be right 1 can would last a lifetime.

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tho9900

Member since
July 2004
From: SETX. USA

Posted by tho9900 on Saturday, December 24, 2005 8:53 AM

I use the stuff too, Ambroids as well but I like the Tenax for its holding power.

Here's a handy little guide to using the touch and flow and something else that makes it even easier, a single edged razor blade.

http://www.accurate-miniatures.com/builds/sbd/sbdbuild05.shtml

good luck to you!!!!

---Tom--- O' brave new world, That has such people in it!

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eizzle

Member since
August 2005
From: Greencastle, IN

Posted by eizzle on Saturday, December 24, 2005 8:01 AM

Wing_nut, I can almost picture you telling your wife that you can use any extras of these for your models and her rolling her eyes Laugh [(-D]

Thanks guys, I don't have anywhere to buy an needles, so I am gonna have to look into the touch n flo. I don't have any brushes that are that old and worn out yet Big Smile [:D]

Colin

Homer Simpson for president!!!

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matthew9

Member since
July 2004
From: Texas

Posted by matthew9 on Saturday, December 24, 2005 7:53 AM

I too don't know about a "right" way, but I use a old, very small brush with a few bristles left. I just run it or dab it on the seam and it does the rest.

Matt

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wing_nut

Member since
April 2005
From: Piscataway, NJ!

Posted by wing_nut on Saturday, December 24, 2005 6:18 AM

Touch n Flo is the way to go. Or if you have doctor friend, a syringe and hypodermic needle work great too. I have some left over from I was giving the wifey fertility shots and they are very handy.

Marc

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jcfay

Member since
November 2005
From: Chicago, IL

Posted by jcfay on Saturday, December 24, 2005 12:21 AM

i don't know if there's necessarily a "right" way to use it, but many people (including myself) use it with the touch-n-flow applicator (available at great models and squadron etc. I believe). the applicator allows you to apply precise amounts to seams, joints or wherever and works reasonably well most of the time in my experience (it clogs sometimes but can be cleared pretty easily most often). basically it's a glass tube (which you can fill with tenax or any thin liquid cement) with a needle on the end through which the glue can flow. in addition, if you want to brush tenax on you can as well but it can really melt plastic and evaporates quickly, so i prefer the touch-n-flow.

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eizzle

Member since
August 2005
From: Greencastle, IN

Posted by eizzle on Friday, December 23, 2005 8:34 PM

So how exactly do you guys use it. I bought a bottle of it because everybody keeps saying how great it is, but I want to know the right way to use it first?

Colin

Homer Simpson for president!!!

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clairnet_person

Member since
July 2005
From: Vancouver,Canada

Posted by clairnet_person on Thursday, December 22, 2005 1:35 PM

Yes Tenax is better than Tamiya but it is much more toxic though.

Current builds: Monogram P-40B Revell F-15E

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wing_nut

Member since
April 2005
From: Piscataway, NJ!

Posted by wing_nut on Thursday, December 22, 2005 1:08 PM

That, and with thin and thick CA is all I use.

Marc

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KINGTHAD

Member since
May 2004
From: Dallas

Posted by KINGTHAD on Thursday, December 22, 2005 9:20 AM

I use it all the time and have never had a problem with it

Thad

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jcfay

Member since
November 2005
From: Chicago, IL

Posted by jcfay on Thursday, December 22, 2005 8:41 AM

I like the Tenax better for certain things like large seams (I think many feel this way). Although it's a bit tough to apply (it melts plastic pretty darn well so being sloppy pays a price) it makes a super strong weld. I haven't used Ambro. I like the Tamiya Extra thin better for smaller pieces, easy to apply with the brush, and it produces a nice bond as well.