I run a local transport business and spend most of my time in a truck, as you can imagine, listening to the radio gets old – real quick. However, it does give me a lot of time to stimulate my mind by listening to Podcasts and Audiobooks!
Recently I stumbled on to a podcast called Surprisingly Awesome. The premise of the show? they take a thing and reveal its hidden awesomeness! Episode #7 featured Adhesives… and I reckon it lives up to its name. During the course of the show they mentioned a website called thistothat.com (and a story about a scientists need for temporarily gluing live crayfish eye-stalks to hold them still for a MRI session … the episode was surprisingly awesome. Listen to it!)
Anyway its an amazing website where you can use a couple of dropdown boxes to work out the right product to glue things together. It might not like much – but it does what it says on the tin!
So select one of the things that needs sticking together… for example some sort of foam. Like the baseboard of a train layout, maybe that thick high density pink or blue foam/
Then select the other medium… lets say wood – your frame perhaps.
Hit Lets Glue! and find some options for a suitable adhesive with alternatives based on speed of bond, strength or toxicity.
What a great resource! I’m glad I stumbled upon it – It seems like I’m forever looking at labels on products in the local hardware store (typically Bunnings or Stratco) trying to work out the right adhesive to use, there are so many! Now I can use the site to work out the right product, or at least a better place to start!
Here is their about -or- philosophy page. I tried cutting the quote down, but its pretty much perfect as it is.
Glue Philosophy We are here to help you choose the right glue for your bonding requirements. We are committed to keeping current with the adhesive market, but we don’t claim to know everything about every glue on the market. We recommend the glues that we have found work best for us. We do know one thing for sure: there is no such thing as the All Purpose glue. Every glue has its pros and cons. The secret to a successful bonding challenge is to consider the following glue philosophy: The primary principle of glue is much like any relationship in that the adhesive must fit the adherend. (Kinda Zen, eh?) All glues work best when aided with a physical attachment. When ever possible the combination of glue and a screw, nail or staple, a glue and a joint, a glue and stitching or binding, will guarantee a successful bond. Any glue is only as strong as the weakest material in the bonding union. There is no point in using a glue stronger than the materials you are bonding. The success of a bond is dependent on the amount of surface area. The more surface area you are able to incorporate, the stronger the bond. Always use the least toxic material that meets your bonding requirements. Understanding how a glue works will help you choose the right glue for the job. The manufacturer knows their glue better than the cashier at the hardware store. Reading the label thoroughly will help you know if a glue is appropriate for your needs. Also, many glues have a help line or a website. We have found some sites for you. Happy gluing!!!!