What to use to glue styrene over balsa wood?

[Wannabe]

I have an idea for a diorama I want to build. I want to build a structure that has different depths from 3/4\" to 1/2\" and I want it to be solid. I was thinking of building it out of balsa wood and covering it with styrene so I can add details and paint it.

Is this the best way to go? What do I use to get the styrene to stick to the wood? Should I build it out of the styrene sheets and fill it with something so it is solid?

I\'m new to all this and need advice on which direction to go.

Thanks in advance!

 

[mickc22]

HI
and welcome
there are two options, super glue, or a two part glue, other than that you seem to be on the right track

you could also use foam board to bulk it out instead of balsa, available from most art shops

happy building

Mick

 

[Dragonsreach]

There are more than two options, PVA will work but I\'d suggest that the adhesion between Styrene & wood would not be a strong.
Glues like UHU & Bostick can be used. Apply carefully and with a matchstick and you\'ll get a strong almost permanent bond.

 

[gothicgeek]

evo stick!

or any good contact glue.... key the back of the plastic with a course ish sand paper, make sure its dust free, coat both surfaces allow to dry ( mostly ) and stick

oh and you only get one go at sticking so aim well

 

[freakinacage]

i\'d say pva or a glue gun

 

[Shadzar]

Aleene\'s Tacky Glue.

Elmer\'s Glue-All.

 

[mickc22]

oh yeah, what ever glue you use make sure its solvent free or you wont have much styrene left

you could also try a general purpose silicone sealant

 

[nels0nmac]

If you want to build it out of balsa and then cover it I would go for contact adhesive and then liquid solvent the edges where plates of styrene meet to give a strong bond which can be sanded smooth. If you do this make sure the styrene sheet is at least 1mm thick and spread the contact adhesive on thinly otherwise you will end up with a big melty mess

If you were to make it solely out of styrene then you will have problems finding something suitable to fill it; assuming the building is for 28mm minis. Anything resin will be expensive and costly. Expanding foam only really works with closed boxes and so if you are only using 1mm styrene it will probably burst out, or at the least deform the shape. To be honest making it out of styene will be fine and solid if you put floor plates/ internal bracers in and glue it well.

 

[Donga]

Originally posted by freakinacage
i\'d say pva or a glue gun

That\'s what I use to build all my diorama\'s. If the PVA (white glue) doesn\'t work, get the Hot Glue Gun.

PVA is actually very strong if it\'s left to cure properly. Wood glue is the same but stronger.

Hot Glue is great because it\'s instant, it can melt styrene though (because it\'s hot!).

UHU isn\'t as strong as either of the above, solvent free will not melt styrene. It\'s pretty instant though.

Cryno-Acrylate will melt the hell out of styrene.

Two part Epoxy, is very very strong. I\'d save it for sheet materials like plasticard to metal and high stress areas.

Contact adhesive is good, strong and pretty instant. Messy as hell though and it stinks.

Panel adhesive, No More Nails etc..Its a great adhesive for styrene, gap filling too

That\'s just my experience, it\'s often about personnal choice...

 

[Donga]

(Double post)

If you want to fix a miniature to polystyrene, just pin it with a very long pin stuck with Aruldite/Epoxy. I pin most of mine with about 30mm - 50mm, depending on the weight.

 

[generulpoleaxe]

wood glue.