Posted January 23, 20169 yr Hi guys. I know it's blasphemy but I have to use some glue for a commissioned Lego build and I've never done it before. There's some mixed information on the internet, with most people saying that it depends on whether you want the bond to be permanent, literally melting/fusing the pieces together, or if you're okay with somewhat lower "permanence". This is what I have so far: MEK-based glues -used by Master Builders for store displays and big models -toxic -probably difficult to apply -best bond Gorilla Glue/Krazy Glues -easier to use -cheap -good bond, but can be undone with enough force/persistence Water-soluble glues (Elmer's, etc) -easiest, cheapest, least toxic -won't hold forever/very well Anyone have any experience with this? I want to avoid using anything too time-consuming/difficult to apply or handle. Right now my preference is something like krazy glue because of this. Mainly, the model just needs to survive being shipped and won't be handled much when it reaches its destination. The client plans to display it and it won't be exposed to weather or anything like that. Thanks in advance for any help.
January 23, 20169 yr The "Kragle," I mean Krazy Glue , is a sufficient option! I'll put it this way, I lost quite a bunch of pieces trying to revive them after I decided to completely abstain from using glue—some parts of the mold melded to the part of the piece it was interlocked to, and as a result both pieces were now loss And that incident occurred on several occasions They will only come undone if you don't use it in the right places, or if you intentionally mean to separate them—like after you regretted doing so (as I did) So bottom line, Kragle/Krazy Glue is pretty efficient Edited January 23, 20169 yr by LiLmeFromDaFuture
January 23, 20169 yr Krazy Glue with air bags and/or foam peanuts may be sufficient for what you want to do. Try some courier abusive drop tests before mailing it out.
January 23, 20169 yr I prefer super glue in gel form. The liquid form often flows to places I dont want, gel stays where it is.
January 27, 20169 yr I've never glued LEGO and hope I never have to, but I used to be into fantasy miniatures including ones that required assembly, so have some experience of gluing plastic kits. You need to be careful to ventilate the cyanoacrylates for a long time: days or even weeks. If you don't, the vapours from the adhesive will settle on the surface of the plastic removing its sheen, leaving a matte effect. I believe that Krazy Glue is a cyanoacrylate. I haven't used that brand, but I would be cautious if gluing LEGO with it and then keeping it in a confined space.
January 27, 20169 yr Noooo!! Don't do it!! Or use Kragle. It was in the LEGO movie so I guess you have an excuse here.
January 27, 20169 yr Or use Kragle. It was in the LEGO movie so I guess you have an excuse here. Yeah! Suggested from the movie, Lego approves of using Kragle!
February 8, 20169 yr If you must glue your Legos (shame on you! :P ) then I'd recommend super glue in gel form. As Wardancer said, the liquid stuff seems to have a mind of its own.
February 8, 20169 yr I only know this from other hobbies (why anyone would want to use glue on Lego is beyond me), but for what it's worth... MEK based glues are the only ones that will permanently bond the bricks and its easy to apply, dries quickly, and smells good (don't be fooled; it's carcinogenic). Just buy any MEK based liquid cement for styrene (e.g. Plastruct orange label). Cyano will hold it, but the bond weakens and can break when it gets hot (sun) or if subjected to shock loads (dropped). Forget water based stuff - it won't work.
February 8, 20169 yr For a water soluble one, Le-Glue seems interesting, would be curious to see review of it: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/le-glue/le-glue-the-water-soluble-adhesive-for-lego-blocks/description
February 8, 20169 yr Author Guys, thanks for all the advice but I did say that gluing the Lego wasn't my idea.
February 9, 20169 yr As a note regarding glues, make sure when shopping for MEK based glues that it specifically states for "ABS Plastic" as poly polystyrene commonly found in the modeling world is not the same. If you try with a polystyrene glue you will find rather quickly that it does not work. Besides, vintage parts which like to break need re-welding if they are going to be of any use. Band-aid approaches won't work. 3D LEGO
October 3, 20177 yr If you are in the UK or Europe, a new glue is being released aimed at Kids and specifically for toys; Mega Bloks, Playmobil, Kinex and Lego etc to enhance play and handling for delicate sets and builds. It is aimed at preserving the integrity of not permanently gluing Lego, and not damaging it. It is primarily designed for use by kids, as it is not permanent, it is temporary and removable in water, and is strong enough to hold the majority of sets together when dropped, and allow young kids to play with sets that would otherwise crumble with a bit of hard play. You can find it at www.blocklockglue.com Edited October 3, 20177 yr by alovelydayforshopping spelling!
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