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I've got a solid question for all of you fine ladies and gents here and I hope this is the right forum. What kinds of glue do you folks use, specifically US users?

The reason I ask is that I've been using Loctite Ultragel Control superglue for years, but lately I've been having some rough reactions to it. Even in well-ventilated rooms, the vapors have been killing my breathing and leaving me with almost allergy-like symptoms for a day or two after use. It's only gotten bit worse each time, and I'd rather not keep doing this dance. I don't want to feel like I just encountered a box of Plaguebearers after I finish assembling the box of Plaguebearers on my desk.

Does anyone have any solid alternatives? Perhaps non-CA glue would help, but I'm not certain how well it would hold the plastic or what brands to look at.

I swear by blue cap Gorilla Glue. Dries fast and no issue with fumes.

First off, what are you using the super glue for?

A) Don't use superglue unless you're assembling different materials (i.e. metal + plastic, or metal + metal, etc.). You may need it for resin. Plastic + Plastic = use plastic cement, that's what it's there for. It will make a much stronger bond than superglue when it's done.

B) If you're having some bizarre reaction to super glue fumes you'll probably have the same reaction to similar glue products, so heavy ventilation or have someone do the work for you - avoid the glue if it's having some kind of physical impact on you. The alternatives to super glue will likely be just as bad (two part epoxy is pretty volatile with fumes, etc.).

I'm not from america, but I'm pretty sure you can get that in case you need to glue down to Risen bases or risen models at all:
http://www.bison.net/en/products/644-super-glues/product/2406-super-glue-industry/

For plastic I use revel, don't know if you have this in the US, but it is fantastic glue and it does not melt your parts like GW glue does.

 Formerly Wu wrote:
I swear by blue cap Gorilla Glue. Dries fast and no issue with fumes.

I also love the Gorilla Glue. It dries so fast and is easier to work with than many other brands. I can use it for months without the cap getting glued on and the tube clogged. I have no idea how it works. Every other brand, I end up drilling out the dispenser hole with my model drill because it fills with hardened glue. Or I have to rip the cap off with my needle nose pliers every time I want to use it. But Gorilla Glue has been working great for me.

 Elbows wrote:
B) If you're having some bizarre reaction to super glue fumes you'll probably have the same reaction to similar glue products, so heavy ventilation or have someone do the work for you - avoid the glue if it's having some kind of physical impact on you. The alternatives to super glue will likely be just as bad (two part epoxy is pretty volatile with fumes, etc.).

Not necessarily, it's very common for people to have a sensitivity to a specific chemical and not others.

First off, you may be in trouble because I did some research and it is possible you can sensitize to "crazy glue" (Cyanoacrylate).
I keep hearing the rumor that it is a matter of "when" rather than "if" that you develop a sensitivity but have not confirmed.

http://www.mdedge.com/cutis/article/87888/wounds/allergic-contact-dermatitis-2-octyl-cyanoacrylate
Some people have switched to a less reactive glue: 2-octyl cyanoacrylate but it is more toward the medical skin closure type material.

I would suggest any of the following:
1) Use a two-part resin for bonding materials and use a proper "weld" glue for plastics.
2) Use a fan and a face mask for "noxious fumes" it is typically a charcoal filter as well as air-tight chemical goggles and gloves.
2a) Some of the thicker gel glues may have less vapor to them, I use the clear Gorilla Glue gel.

Good luck! It is nice when hobbies take your breath away, but in this case: not so much.

 The Riddle of Steel wrote:

 Formerly Wu wrote:
I swear by blue cap Gorilla Glue. Dries fast and no issue with fumes.

I also love the Gorilla Glue. It dries so fast and is easier to work with than many other brands. I can use it for months without the cap getting glued on and the tube clogged. I have no idea how it works. Every other brand, I end up drilling out the dispenser hole with my model drill because it fills with hardened glue. Or I have to rip the cap off with my needle nose pliers every time I want to use it. But Gorilla Glue has been working great for me.

Same here, stuff is amazing. Sets fast, crazy strong hold.

 zfreie wrote:

 The Riddle of Steel wrote:

 Formerly Wu wrote:
I swear by blue cap Gorilla Glue. Dries fast and no issue with fumes.

I also love the Gorilla Glue. It dries so fast and is easier to work with than many other brands. I can use it for months without the cap getting glued on and the tube clogged. I have no idea how it works. Every other brand, I end up drilling out the dispenser hole with my model drill because it fills with hardened glue. Or I have to rip the cap off with my needle nose pliers every time I want to use it. But Gorilla Glue has been working great for me.

Same here, stuff is amazing. Sets fast, crazy strong hold.

Would you say it holds as strong as...a Gorilla?

I love plastic glue but that stuff stinks like crazy, interesting topic.

Another question, have you been using the same specific bottle for an extended period? I know for a while I was being slow about using bottles I had (several months+, GW and purple bottle hobby shop brands), and they would go...off. Started holding poorly, discolored in the bottle, smell, and yeah, especially when it got on skin caused burning eyes and general unpleasantness. Not sure if its got a shelf life or what, but a new bottle and more careful assembly did seem to help. That said, if you're having issues making you worried about allergic reactions, may not be a bad idea to actually see a doctor of the appropriate specialty...

For plastic glue I've moved on to Tamyia Extra Thin plastic cement. The thing about these types of glues is they use capillary action. This means you put the two parts together then "paint" the glue around the join and it'll fill in and glue the two parts.

Do NOT put this glue on a single part then put it on the other part. It'll be dry before the two parts ever touch. Hobby Lobby carries it here in the US if you're interested.

I love it because the whole stringy effect of plastics glues is gone. Only issue is it has a very strong odor.

It may be harder to get but i use IPS Weld-on 3 acrylic plastic cement, in a small syringe bottle. for plastics

Instant bonding, and thin so capillary action takes it into the joint.

otherwise its generic insta cure hobby super glue for metal and resin. while i also use a atomizer bottle of insta set. that stuff is worth its weight in gold for setting surfaces

a trick i learned from prop makers is to put super glue on one side then spray the mating surface with the instant set and then press them together to join them in seconds.