[CrateCruncher]

A book could be written on the subject of adhesives in modeling thanks to all the great products available now. I use 2-part epoxy for strength on 75% of my avg model. It also allows time to position accurately. It seems like supeglues tend to bond the instant they contact if you need to position something accurately but remain liquid for an eternity when location is goof-proof. Go figure.

When using ca I transfer it to the parts using a straight pin from a drop placed on a piece of printed paperboard like a cut up square from a cereal box. Using the pin and sealed paperboard minimizes absorption and gives about 15 minutes before the glue drop dries out. A pin can be cleaned with a #11 quickly.

I use the thin stuff for filling shallow depressions and gaps because of its self-leveling qualities. I use accelerator on big RC models when tacking but not on fine-scale stuff. The accelerator causes such a fast reaction that gas is trapped in the bond making it a bit weaker and causing a rough surface in my experience. I guess it's a preference thing. I'm not in that big a hurry anyway. Then there's that oily residue.

Most ca bonds are weak and brittle between non-porous surfaces. The more porous each surface is, the stronger the bond. Example1: fabric to soft balsa = extremely strong. Example2: brass to aluminum = snap!