Modelling with children

[28Valves]

Hi,

Both my children (4 & 6) have shown an interest in building airfix type models with me.

I am however slightly concerned with the fumes from the glue and what it will do if when it gets on their skin.

Can anyone recommend a non/less toxic glue that will still do a good job at sticking the models together?

Thanks

[vinnie01]

from memory the only stuff that works is poly Cement unlike Super glue it wont stick them together and if you use it in vented area or maybe give them a dust mask? unfortunately im not Sure PVA (school glue) will work on the plastic in the kit. Airfix and Revell both do no glue clip together kits. Maybe worth a look?

[vinnie01]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Airfix-Quick-Build-Spitfir...

[The_Jackal]

Tamiya's extra thin is a much nicer and neater glue than poly cement and hardly smells.
The glues in the tubes are hardly used these days because they are soo messy and there are better modern products.

[Eric Mc]

Glue fumes are less of an issue than they were in the "old days". As has been mentioned, tube cement is not really necessary and the vast bulk of modellers now make use of the thin liquid version which comes in a hard plastic bottle with applicator.






PVA and super glues do have their uses in model building but only for specific tasks. The proper "glue" is still polystyrene cement - but best in the modern form rather than in the old style tubes.

[28Valves]

Thanks All,

I tend to use the contacta anyway so I'll continue with it and keep an extra eye on them, open windows etc. Might get a fan to circulate air too. My main concern it the one with mild asthma, which I don't want to aggravate.

I've looked at the easy build kits, but they are a bit too much like Lego, which they already have loads of. They will also like to paint and decal the models themselves.

Thanks again

[dr_gn]

A potential problem with liquid cement and kids (or me sometimes) is that if you spill it or squeeze the container too hard, it can make a real mess of the surrounding area, and/or your model. The really thin stuff can also melt through or deform thin plastic sections because of the amount of solvent in it if you apply too much. At least tube glue tends to stay where you want it.

[Eric Mc]

Tube glue is controllable if applied using a pin or cocktail stick. When I do use it, a squeeze out a blob of tube glue into an old beer bottle cap (I have plenty of these around ) and then pick up a tiny amount of glue with the point of the pin or stick.

[The_Jackal]

Hence why I like Tamiya Thin or Cement S with its little brush in the lid.
So easy to assemble the part and then just run the brush along the join and let the capillary action do the rest. It really helps cut down on excess glue in a join.

[williredale]

I've been building some of the scale scenes model railway buildings with my urchins (5&7). They're paper and card based so pritt stick and PVA. Plus, because you print the kits at home when they get something wrong it can be redone without easily.