GLUING BRASS TO STYRENE

[unittrain]

I'm scratchbuilding a truss bridge and have come to the point where I need to attach my GMM X-bracing to my stryrene columns, so I was wondering which type of glue would be best for this application. I got standard model glue and ZAP-A-GAP also various super glues. I've never really tried gluing brass to styrene before, so my question is has anybody done this before? I know how the styrene melts easy and don't want to use the wrong glue! Thanks for any info.

[Bendtracker1]

I've had good luck with the 5 minute, 2 part epoxy. 
I would make sure that both parts are clean and make sure you sand the brass with a real fine sandpaper such as 600 grit or finer, then clean it with alcohol before you glue it.  Try not to touch it with your skin after you clean it.

[DKS]

Depends on the surface area of the bond and the stresses that will be applied to the parts. I have had excellent luck using thick CA, but it's not especially strong. Epoxy would be stronger, but might pose a cosmetics issue. Best to be sure the surface area of the joint is as large and smooth as practical.

[Ian MacMillan]

Pete, pnolan48, might have some hints as I bet that he does styrene/brass on his ships.

[up1950s]

I rough up both surfaces then use Krazy Glue .

[unittrain]

Thanks for the input I'll give the super glue a try but first kinda file the edges of the columns, I'll do a few test pieces first. I"ll post some pictures of the bridge and share my technique for building it in the coming week.

[delamaize]

I rough up both surfaces then use Krazy Glue .

+1, except CA for me.

[TrainCat2]

Lightly sand both surfaces with 150 grit paper and use Zap-A-Gap. No worries there.

[pnolan48]

I use thin CA on both ships and bridges. Good contact and cleanliness, as others above pointed out, are the keys. I get parts into position and apply a small drop of CA, often with the point of a pin. Pooling CA wastes a lot of it, but I go to the local dollar store and get two or four tubes for $1.

On some applications I've had good luck with plain old plastic tube cement, used sparingly. It bonds with the styrene and envelops the brass.

Neither of these methods creates a strong bond; but neither does epoxy on bridge joints if you do not want to see it. It's more the number of attachment points rather than the strength of each point. The US Navy curators want holes drilled and epoxy used--that's strong but very painstaking, and not always possible.

[unittrain]

Thanks for all the help I'll make sure I get enough glue points for strength cause definatly want the glue as non visible as possible. I'm starting to wonder if I just should have built the whole bridge from brass! What made me shy away from brass was the etching that would be needed I bought photo-resist and etchant and laminator ect then chickened out when I read an article on home etching and the guy was explaining how to build the etching tank with a pump and pvc it was just way more involved than I wanted to get. I thought you could etch decently with a basic set up.

[up1950s]

If the joint is unseen I drill a hole or more in the brass to increase the adhesionositilyability . :