John L Posted November 26, 2020 Report Share Posted November 26, 2020 I wonder if there are some experienced model makers out there that could help me please, I want to make a Perspex box for a model to keep the dust off, what's the best type of glue to fix the box together, without making it very obvious its glued together, is there a product that leaves an invisible line where its glued, still holding it together firmly? Haven't done this bit before. John Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cvtrian Posted November 26, 2020 Report Share Posted November 26, 2020 Hi John Rodney Rawlings, "modelbuilder" on the forum has helped me enormously with learning new skills and techniques for modelling during the lockdown periods, fingers crossed he will be along shortly with sage advice. How large is the model, there are plenty of display cases of all sizes available commercially. That is not to say many other forum members may have the answers you are looking for Good Luck Ian Quote Link to post Share on other sites
modelbuilder Posted November 26, 2020 Report Share Posted November 26, 2020 (edited) Good morning John, to be honest, it’s something I wouldn’t have the skills to attempt. However, these are the chaps I use. https://www.acrylicdisplaycases.co.uk They will make you just the base or just an acrylic cover, any size you want. In my experience they are the best. I will add a photo “dreckly”. Rodders. M Edited November 26, 2020 by modelbuilder Add photo Quote Link to post Share on other sites
john.r.davies Posted November 26, 2020 Report Share Posted November 26, 2020 Depends how big you want, John, but Kent Models sell ready mades, for 1:24 sized models: https://www.kentmodels.co.uk/product/124-scale-empty-display-case-for-models/ JOhn Quote Link to post Share on other sites
John L Posted November 26, 2020 Author Report Share Posted November 26, 2020 Rodders Thanks for that link, I hadn't thought of one made up, carriage might be a problem, I'm about half way thru this model, and thought that it would be better to have a cover, Quote Link to post Share on other sites
barkerwilliams Posted November 26, 2020 Report Share Posted November 26, 2020 John, I like the model you are making, please update us with a photo when you have completed it. Alan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mike ellis Posted November 26, 2020 Report Share Posted November 26, 2020 Many years ago I made my own glue for Perspex. Just mixed some Perspex shavings with chloroform, enough to get the right consistency. Mike Quote Link to post Share on other sites
John L Posted November 26, 2020 Author Report Share Posted November 26, 2020 Got this far, needs gluing, filling and paint, then the masts and rigging, it may get finished this year? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted November 26, 2020 Report Share Posted November 26, 2020 2 hours ago, John L said: I wonder if there are some experienced model makers out there that could help me please, I want to make a Perspex box for a model to keep the dust off, what's the best type of glue to fix the box together, without making it very obvious its glued together, is there a product that leaves an invisible line where its glued, still holding it together firmly? Haven't done this bit before. John Hi John, as mentioned there is an art to bonding it without a mess being involved. The only thing that I have found to work is 'Tensol' but is not cheap. I've heard about Mike's Chloroform method but not used it. I have toyed with the idea of attaching each panel with the next by drilling a couple of holes through both pieces and pushing a Perspex rod into the hole (mortice & Tenon style) adding the smallest touch of adhesive. I do like John's (modelbuilder) approach better. Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
John L Posted November 26, 2020 Author Report Share Posted November 26, 2020 Thanks guys, this has all been really helpful, I like Rodders suggestion but with the size and carriage its about £100 I like your idea Roger, might try on some small bits first. Just got to Brain storm it...... John Quote Link to post Share on other sites
modelbuilder Posted November 26, 2020 Report Share Posted November 26, 2020 2 hours ago, John L said: Thanks guys, this has all been really helpful, I like Rodders suggestion but with the size and carriage its about £100 I like your idea Roger, might try on some small bits first. Just got to Brain storm it...... John Wow, that must be quite large. Rodders. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lebro Posted November 26, 2020 Report Share Posted November 26, 2020 +1 for chloroform with perspex shavings in. Bob. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tim T Posted November 26, 2020 Report Share Posted November 26, 2020 When working we used Tensol cement. There are 2 types, one is quite thick and gap fills but difficult to get perfect. The other one is almost like water and flows with capillary action. Mask off around the joints first. Mitred joints will also give you a larger contact area. I can thoroughly recommend this company, used them for 35 years, never let me down https://www.lyndhurstplasticfabrication.com/ Contact is Peter Lightfoot. Cheers, Tim Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dwaters Posted November 26, 2020 Report Share Posted November 26, 2020 I too used to use chloroform. The surfaces to be glued were polished absolutely square and flat and held in place with tape, then the chloroform applied using a syringe and needle, capillary action would “suck” it into the joint. David Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tim T Posted November 26, 2020 Report Share Posted November 26, 2020 If you are going to have one made, an alternative method to using 5 pieces of perspex is to use just 3, one piece for the 2 large sides and the top with a radiused fold at the top of each side to create a tunnel. 2 end pieces can then be inserted and glued. Much stronger that the 5 piece option. Tim Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tthomson Posted November 27, 2020 Report Share Posted November 27, 2020 Reaching back to 1970, the glue I used for joining acrylic (perspex) was "Tensol No. 6", which welds the two items together. However, bending acrylic is relatively easy using a hot wire to heat a local area, (my kids did this in school). In that way you can create a U shaped piece and only need to glue end pieces, and do not necessarily need expensive glues to do that. There are You Tube videos about bending Acrylic using this technique. TT Quote Link to post Share on other sites
foster461 Posted November 28, 2020 Report Share Posted November 28, 2020 I had to make something recently using plexiglass. I cut and bent it using heat and then I used acetone to glue it. The technique is to hold the parts together and using acetone in a hypodermic (diabetic cat so have lots of those) inject the acetone into the joint so that it seeps between the parts to be joined. Hold it secure for a few seconds and it is effectively welded. Stan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
john.r.davies Posted November 28, 2020 Report Share Posted November 28, 2020 This is a side track to the above, but related! I will need to make headlamp covers for my non-Triumph project. I even have some poly carbonate pieces that will do, but none in forming doubly curved shapes in it. Online sources seem to use specialised kit. Is heating in a domestic oven feasible, and what material.would make a good mould or buck? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ntc Posted November 28, 2020 Report Share Posted November 28, 2020 17 minutes ago, john.r.davies said: This is a side track to the above, but related! I will need to make headlamp covers for my non-Triumph project. I even have some poly carbonate pieces that will do, but none in forming doubly curved shapes in it. Online sources seem to use specialised kit. Is heating in a domestic oven feasible, and what material.would make a good mould or buck? Gt 40 ? if so what kit is it? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
John Morrison Posted November 28, 2020 Report Share Posted November 28, 2020 1 hour ago, john.r.davies said: This is a side track to the above, but related! I will need to make headlamp covers for my non-Triumph project. I even have some poly carbonate pieces that will do, but none in forming doubly curved shapes in it. Online sources seem to use specialised kit. Is heating in a domestic oven feasible, and what material.would make a good mould or buck? Pretty Sure , Ken made his Le Mans Peerless rear window that way, I'll find the gen for you. John. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
john.r.davies Posted November 29, 2020 Report Share Posted November 29, 2020 Thnak you, John! ntc, The chassis is a Polish knock-off of a KVA replica, and the body is a GRP copy from somewhere. The suspension is all self-built, as is the engine (Rover V8) and transaxle installation. No manuals or instructions of any kind! EG, Rear susoenion and DiY ARB mounts Quote Link to post Share on other sites
John Morrison Posted November 29, 2020 Report Share Posted November 29, 2020 John, you have PM John. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
john.r.davies Posted November 29, 2020 Report Share Posted November 29, 2020 Very king of you, John, and Ken! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Waldi Posted November 29, 2020 Report Share Posted November 29, 2020 What a nice project John! Cheers, Waldi Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted November 30, 2020 Report Share Posted November 30, 2020 16 hours ago, john.r.davies said: Thnak you, John! ntc, The chassis is a Polish knock-off of a KVA replica, and the body is a GRP copy from somewhere. The suspension is all self-built, as is the engine (Rover V8) and transaxle installation. No manuals or instructions of any kind! EG, Rear susoenion and DiY ARB mounts I think the rope might be an MOT fail. Stuart. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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