Sticky Stuff: Difference between revisions

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===Safety===
===Safety===
[[File:Warning03.png|30px|left]]
[[File:Warning03.png|30px|left]]
::If in breaking, live electrics were (or might have been) exposed, then it can never be completely safe if stuck back together. If you decide to try (at your own risk) you should at least ensure that any glue is supported by strong tape wrapped completely around the item, with a good overlap.
::Broken mains electrical items repaired with adhesive and/or sticky tape will necessarily fail the visual inspection part of a PAT electrical safety test. If you decide on such a repair (at your own risk) you should at least ensure that any glue is supported by strong tape such as gaffer tape wrapped completely around the item, with a good overlap.


==Types of Glue==
==Types of Glue==
There are lots of different types of glue. The first few below are the most useful in a Restart situation but others may come in handy for general repairs or for making stuff.


===Superglue===
===Superglue===
Line 28: Line 29:
Hot melt glue remains flexible after it has set and so is good for repairing flexible things, like sticking the sole back on a shoe. Where a wire is soldered to a circuit board a blob of hot melt glue is very good for preventing the wire from flexing and breaking at the solder joint.
Hot melt glue remains flexible after it has set and so is good for repairing flexible things, like sticking the sole back on a shoe. Where a wire is soldered to a circuit board a blob of hot melt glue is very good for preventing the wire from flexing and breaking at the solder joint.


===Vinyl===
===PVA Glue===
This is mostly used for wood. The strongest joints are screwed and glued.


===Vinyl Adhesive===
This is good for sticking PVC as it consists of PVC dissolved in a solvent, which will partially dissolve the surfaces to be joined.


===Glass===
===Glass Bond===
This is a UV-cured adhesive which is good for sticking glass, transparent acrylic or metal to glass or acrylic. To cure it you can use a UV torch or bank note checker, available cheaply on eBay. Alternatively you can simply leave it in sunlight, though it will take considerably longer.
 
===Polystyrene Glue===
Mainly used for assembling "Airfix" and similar plastic models, but also for paper.


==Sticky Tapes==
==Sticky Tapes==


===PVC Tape===
===PVC Tape===
PVC insulating tape is good for wrapping around exposed wires and electrical connections, however, it should never be use as the sole protection in the case of mains (or higher) voltages. If two wires are simply twisted together, heat may be generated when a current flows and this could melt the tape. (Use solder or a crimped or screw-secured connection.)


PVC tape sticks reasonably well but it's stretchy and not especially strong, so shouldn't be used simply for fixing.


===Gaffer Tape===
===Gaffer Tape and Duct Tape===
These are very strong tapes used for holding things together. Gaffer tape has a fabric backing and is designed to be removable; it is often used to tape cables down to avoid trip hazards or to conceal them on stage.  Duct tape has a plastic-coated fabric back and is designed to stick permanently: it is used for all sorts of repairs and is waterproof and very durable.
The two are similar, are often confused and are interchangeable for many uses.
These tapes are very versatile. It's said that Mission Control knew they had a chance of saving the Apollo 13 crew when they realised they had duct tape on board.


===Self-amalgamating Tape===
This isn't strictly adhesive, but when wrapped around an electrical junction or low pressure water pipe the layers fuse together seamlessly.


===Amalgamating Tape===
===Sellotape and Scotch Tape===
These should only be used for paper and parcels.


==Conductive Sticky Stuff==


===Sellotape and Scotch Tape===
===Bare Conductive electric paint===
[http://www.bareconductive.com/ Bare Conductive] is an electrically conductive paint which you may be able to use to bridge a broken connection. It has a much higher resistance than copper or solder and so isn't suitable where a low resistance connection is required or where it must carry more than a few mA. It should be fine, however, for connections to an LCD, or to the momentary-contact push buttons on nearly all modern electronic equipment.
 
A slight problem with it is that once opened, the dispenser dries out over a period of months. You may be able to rejuvenate it if you can unblock the nozzle and introduce a little plain water, then shake vigorously. A hypodermic syringe would be ideal for this.
 
===Conductive Silver Paint===
If you need a low resistance join for example to mend a broken circuit board trace then conductive silver paint may well do the job, although it's expensive. Like bare Conductive, once opened it dries out quite quickly, and being solvent based can't so easily be restored.


==Other Sticky Stuff==
==Other Sticky Stuff==


===Sugru===
===Sugru===
Sugru comes in sachets and initially has a putty-like consistency but cures to a synthetic rubber. Excellent for adding protection and strain relief to a low voltage cable (such as a headphone lead) where it's starting to crack on its entry to the plug. The website [http://www.sugru.com www.sugru.com] gives hundreds of other examples of its use. It comes in black or white and several bright colours.


A drawback is that part used sachets cannot be resealed and will very quickly go off, and unused sachets have a limited shelf life. This can be extended somewhat by keeping them in the fridge.


===Formcard===
===Thermoplastics===
Polymorph consists of granules which turn soft when heated to 62 degrees centigrade, then harden again when they cool. The Register [http://m.theregister.co.uk/2011/12/31/christmas_repairs/ described] it as 'the stuff of the gods, or would be if it had been around when the gods were choosing a construction material.'


Formcard is essentially the same except that it comes in convenient credit card sized pieces. The idea is that you can easily keep one with you for use whenever you might need it. It can be softened in hot water as required and then can be moulded for a variety of uses before it sets hard on cooling. It was launched in a [https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/formcard/formcard-melt-mould-make-mend Kickstarter] campaign in late 2015 and is now available from [http://www.formcard.com/ the inventors website].


===Modelling Clay===
===Modelling Clay===
There are several types of modelling clay, mostly used for making rather than repairing. Polymer clay can be cured by heating to a modest temperature of 130⁰C for 15 minutes and doesn't shrink or change shape in the process. It can be obtained from hobby, craft and art stores.
===Milliput===
Milliput is a two-part, cold setting, non-shrinking epoxy putty which can be used for repairs on many types of materials including metals, plastics, masonry, wood, glass and ceramics.
==How to remove glue==
Sometimes your problem might actually be to unglue something, either because it wasn't glued properly or because you need to disassemble the item for repair. Different glues will respond to different solvents, but two of the best for difficult cases are:
*Acetone (or nail polish remover)
*Proprietary glue removers (search online) especially those advertised for removing super glue.
The latter often contain heterocyclic ketone, which is a powerful glue remover. (Acetone is a ketone, but not a heterocyclic one.)
Be aware that any solvents may irritate sensitive skin or discolour the glued item, especially fabrics.


==External links==
* [https://therestartproject.org/podcast/materials-hack-fix Our Restart Radio show "Materials we use to hack and fix"]


[[Category:General]]
[[Category:Skills]]

Revision as of 21:04, 1 November 2018

This page covers sticky tapes and glues.

Summary

When things fall part there are various types of glue and sticky tape that you can use to stick them back together again, but different ones are good for different things. This page will help you choose the right one.

Safety

Warning03.png
Broken mains electrical items repaired with adhesive and/or sticky tape will necessarily fail the visual inspection part of a PAT electrical safety test. If you decide on such a repair (at your own risk) you should at least ensure that any glue is supported by strong tape such as gaffer tape wrapped completely around the item, with a good overlap.

Types of Glue

There are lots of different types of glue. The first few below are the most useful in a Restart situation but others may come in handy for general repairs or for making stuff.

Superglue

Warning03.png
Superglue will stick your fingers together instantly. You may find it rather embarrassing to have to go to A&E to get them unstuck.

Provided the surfaces to be mated fit together very closely, superglue will usually do a good job, but it's not so good at filling gaps. Buy it in small tubes and make sure you put the lid on tight as otherwise it will set solid.

Epoxy

Epoxy glue comes in 2 separate tubes. Squeeze the same amount from each tube and mix well. Be sure to put the right lid back on the right tube, or you'll never get them off again!

Epoxy glue sticks to most things, and although it's best if the mating surfaces fit well together, you can use it to fill gaps or build it up around a join to add strength.

Rapid epoxy sets in a few minutes and so is very useful, though it takes longer to achieve full strength.

Hot Melt

Hot melt glue comes in sticks which you have to feed into a glue gun. Cheap glue guns are available for just a few pounds. Apply the glue and join the parts together immediately. The glue will set in a few seconds as it cools but will take a little longer to gain full strength.

Hot melt glue remains flexible after it has set and so is good for repairing flexible things, like sticking the sole back on a shoe. Where a wire is soldered to a circuit board a blob of hot melt glue is very good for preventing the wire from flexing and breaking at the solder joint.

PVA Glue

This is mostly used for wood. The strongest joints are screwed and glued.

Vinyl Adhesive

This is good for sticking PVC as it consists of PVC dissolved in a solvent, which will partially dissolve the surfaces to be joined.

Glass Bond

This is a UV-cured adhesive which is good for sticking glass, transparent acrylic or metal to glass or acrylic. To cure it you can use a UV torch or bank note checker, available cheaply on eBay. Alternatively you can simply leave it in sunlight, though it will take considerably longer.

Polystyrene Glue

Mainly used for assembling "Airfix" and similar plastic models, but also for paper.

Sticky Tapes

PVC Tape

PVC insulating tape is good for wrapping around exposed wires and electrical connections, however, it should never be use as the sole protection in the case of mains (or higher) voltages. If two wires are simply twisted together, heat may be generated when a current flows and this could melt the tape. (Use solder or a crimped or screw-secured connection.)

PVC tape sticks reasonably well but it's stretchy and not especially strong, so shouldn't be used simply for fixing.

Gaffer Tape and Duct Tape

These are very strong tapes used for holding things together. Gaffer tape has a fabric backing and is designed to be removable; it is often used to tape cables down to avoid trip hazards or to conceal them on stage. Duct tape has a plastic-coated fabric back and is designed to stick permanently: it is used for all sorts of repairs and is waterproof and very durable. The two are similar, are often confused and are interchangeable for many uses. These tapes are very versatile. It's said that Mission Control knew they had a chance of saving the Apollo 13 crew when they realised they had duct tape on board.

Self-amalgamating Tape

This isn't strictly adhesive, but when wrapped around an electrical junction or low pressure water pipe the layers fuse together seamlessly.

Sellotape and Scotch Tape

These should only be used for paper and parcels.

Conductive Sticky Stuff

Bare Conductive electric paint

Bare Conductive is an electrically conductive paint which you may be able to use to bridge a broken connection. It has a much higher resistance than copper or solder and so isn't suitable where a low resistance connection is required or where it must carry more than a few mA. It should be fine, however, for connections to an LCD, or to the momentary-contact push buttons on nearly all modern electronic equipment.

A slight problem with it is that once opened, the dispenser dries out over a period of months. You may be able to rejuvenate it if you can unblock the nozzle and introduce a little plain water, then shake vigorously. A hypodermic syringe would be ideal for this.

Conductive Silver Paint

If you need a low resistance join for example to mend a broken circuit board trace then conductive silver paint may well do the job, although it's expensive. Like bare Conductive, once opened it dries out quite quickly, and being solvent based can't so easily be restored.

Other Sticky Stuff

Sugru

Sugru comes in sachets and initially has a putty-like consistency but cures to a synthetic rubber. Excellent for adding protection and strain relief to a low voltage cable (such as a headphone lead) where it's starting to crack on its entry to the plug. The website www.sugru.com gives hundreds of other examples of its use. It comes in black or white and several bright colours.

A drawback is that part used sachets cannot be resealed and will very quickly go off, and unused sachets have a limited shelf life. This can be extended somewhat by keeping them in the fridge.

Thermoplastics

Polymorph consists of granules which turn soft when heated to 62 degrees centigrade, then harden again when they cool. The Register described it as 'the stuff of the gods, or would be if it had been around when the gods were choosing a construction material.'

Formcard is essentially the same except that it comes in convenient credit card sized pieces. The idea is that you can easily keep one with you for use whenever you might need it. It can be softened in hot water as required and then can be moulded for a variety of uses before it sets hard on cooling. It was launched in a Kickstarter campaign in late 2015 and is now available from the inventors website.

Modelling Clay

There are several types of modelling clay, mostly used for making rather than repairing. Polymer clay can be cured by heating to a modest temperature of 130⁰C for 15 minutes and doesn't shrink or change shape in the process. It can be obtained from hobby, craft and art stores.

Milliput

Milliput is a two-part, cold setting, non-shrinking epoxy putty which can be used for repairs on many types of materials including metals, plastics, masonry, wood, glass and ceramics.

How to remove glue

Sometimes your problem might actually be to unglue something, either because it wasn't glued properly or because you need to disassemble the item for repair. Different glues will respond to different solvents, but two of the best for difficult cases are:

  • Acetone (or nail polish remover)
  • Proprietary glue removers (search online) especially those advertised for removing super glue.

The latter often contain heterocyclic ketone, which is a powerful glue remover. (Acetone is a ketone, but not a heterocyclic one.)

Be aware that any solvents may irritate sensitive skin or discolour the glued item, especially fabrics.

External links