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Over the years, to glue metal models I used a combination of GW superglue and epoxy

Well I hate using epoxy because it smells disgusting and is extremely messy, so I don't want to use it anymore

And the GW glue by itself sucks. Any suggestions??

crazy glue works fine i actually use one thats only .99 cents and it glues my metal pieces in 3 secs after putting them together

Loctite is all I use and won't ever switch.

I like Loctite professional. Comes in a blue bottle. For around the same cost as GW superglue you get 4 times the amount.

If you like gel, loctite makes the "control gel". Easier to apply as it doesn't run all over like liquid superglue. Bonds excellent too (both do).

I assembled the GW LoC with JUST loctite superglue (no pinning) and I can pick it up by it's wings. It's even fallen over a few times.

Regardless of SG brand the one thing to always do with metal minis is to sand/file/scour with steel wool the 2 areas to be glued. The are to be glued should be shiny like chrome. Metal minis appear cloudy due to the mold release on them. Pewter, clean pewter that is, should be shiny like chrome.

Glue one of the surfaces you are sticking and lick the other....

I have started using Maxi-Cure glue. It's great and is relatively inexpensive compared to other brand names.

Fateweaver wrote:Loctite is all I use and won't ever switch.

I like Loctite professional. Comes in a blue bottle. For around the same cost as GW superglue you get 4 times the amount.

If you like gel, loctite makes the "control gel". Easier to apply as it doesn't run all over like liquid superglue. Bonds excellent too (both do).

I assembled the GW LoC with JUST loctite superglue (no pinning) and I can pick it up by it's wings. It's even fallen over a few times.

Regardless of SG brand the one thing to always do with metal minis is to sand/file/scour with steel wool the 2 areas to be glued. The are to be glued should be shiny like chrome. Metal minis appear cloudy due to the mold release on them. Pewter, clean pewter that is, should be shiny like chrome.

I am also a HUGE fan of everything from Loctite.
I use the kind that has the brush in it for my plastics and the control gel for metal.
Sometime i still pin but that is preference and how confindent you are in the bond (and the fitment of the model for that matter)

Fateweaver wrote:Pewter, clean pewter that is, should be shiny like chrome.

Not necessarily true. White metal alloys tend to form a protective oxide crust readily which dulls the shine.
Not as bad as the old lead-antimony-tin blend, but it still happens. It's an inevitable part of metallic chemistry.

For best results with superglues, slightly roughen BOTH surfaces to be glued. Superglue forms a stronger bond when there's more surface area to be glued. Against smooth surfaces, it's just a surface bond and not very strong at all.

I love you guys for suggesting Loctite. It's like 21039 times better than the GW glue

chromedog wrote:For best results with superglues, slightly roughen BOTH surfaces to be glued. Superglue forms a stronger bond when there's more surface area to be glued. Against smooth surfaces, it's just a surface bond and not very strong at all.

This. I usually score the glued areas with a hobby knife or give it a rough filing to scratch it up before gluing. Seems to hold faster and stronger.

The Loctite and roughening combo has been working like a charm, thanks guys. You saved me A LOT of frustration!

I used the super glue I bought from GW to stick together the pieces for my metal Lucius The Eternal. It's firmly stuck together and works pretty well.

Well my only problem with the GW glue is that while it did stick well, it took FOREVER to dry.

Last night it literally took 2 hours for a hand on the Daemon Prince to dry, and it was moving around like it was just sitting in water.

But this morning it was solid as a rock haha

I have recently found that Gorilla SUPERglue is really excellent and holds very well.

I use Zap-A-Gap CA+ and always pin my metal models...it takes time but in the twenty odd years I have been making models I have never had one fall to bits on me yet.

Some people find it helps to put a disc of damp paper in the joint. Superglue bonds very quickly to water.

Personally I use Araldite epoxy for most metal-to-metal jobs and just bear the smell.

I'm gonna have to try Loctite, with my Demon Prince I used a combination of our FLGS brand glue and green stuff, the DP came out rock solid but it was a pain in the backside

Thanks to a great Engineer at my work I get all my Super Glue free. Its great stuff and never had any issues with it. I'm not sure if they sell it in shops or not but its called "NO NONSENSE" Superglue... its the best I've used and as I said.. FREE!

Brother Heinrich wrote:I'm gonna have to try Loctite, with my Demon Prince I used a combination of our FLGS brand glue and green stuff, the DP came out rock solid but it was a pain in the backside

Loctite worked great on my DP, it sticks in about 20 seconds so you can leave it be to dry

As for water being a bond, yes it does stick faster, but it also weakens the overall bond