HL M1A1 Aussie version...

[HvyCgn9]

Hey out there can anyone tell me what plastic the HL tanks are made of? I don't think its styrene (HIPS) as the Revell glue I normally use doesn't stick too well to it....its funny the styrene glued to the rear rack seems ok but some of the bracing used inside the hull between the existing battery compartment and hull sides just did not want to bond!

Any suggestions for better glue would be great!

Bruce

[BarryC]

Hi Bruce,

HL plastic is the worst plastic I have ever worked with. I do not know what it is but it does stand up well to bumps and bangs which is a good thing.
I regularly find large air bubbles buried within the plastic and also find piece pieces which are best described as "chunks of rubber".

I used an epoxy made specifically for bonding plastic to bond my structural styrene to the HL plastic. The backed it up with through screws/bolts mounted with blind fasteners. The epoxy may break loose in places but the bolts will ensure they do not come loose.

http://www.loctiteproducts.com/p/epxy_p ... Bonder.htm styrene to the HL plastic

I have found no glue that properly bonds the HL plastic.

Plastuct, Plastic Weld works but the bond can be pried apart with little to no damage to the joined parts so the parts are not truly "blended" if you will. Especially when bonding large "area" pieces. I paint the Plastruct glue onto both parts to be joined then paint a heavier coat onto one piece and press them together and clamp them up and let them set for 12 hours or more.

https://plastruct.com/technical-info/

Hope this helps.
Barry

[HvyCgn9]

Cheers mate I will get some loctite when I go past the hardware store

Bruce

[silversurfer1947]

It really is annoying. So far as I can tell, the Loctite products in the US are generally not available in the UK e.g. the one referenced above. I have found this before. There seems to be a different range.

[RobW]

It really is annoying. So far as I can tell, the Loctite products in the US are generally not available in the UK e.g. the one referenced above. I have found this before. There seems to be a different range.

Our chemicals laws are stricter - hence glues, creosote, weed killers etc aren't as potent as they used to be. Not a bad thing overall but annoying at times if you're able to use stuff carefully and still have some common sense hidden away somewhere!

[HvyCgn9]

It really is annoying. So far as I can tell, the Loctite products in the US are generally not available in the UK e.g. the one referenced above. I have found this before. There seems to be a different range.

Our chemicals laws are stricter - hence glues, creosote, weed killers etc aren't as potent as they used to be. Not a bad thing overall but annoying at times if you're able to use stuff carefully and still have some common sense hidden away somewhere!

We get most of the same stuff as the USA down here in Oz, some of it has different brand names (mostly the fibreglass stuff) but loctite,etc is same.

[BarryC]

I highly recommend using some fasteners as well. Mine is as solid as a rock!

Barry

[HvyCgn9]

I highly recommend using some fasteners as well. Mine is as solid as a rock!

Barry

Yep I will stick some screws in shortly once I have found the safe place I stashed em.....

[BarryC]

I highly recommend using some fasteners as well. Mine is as solid as a rock!

Barry

Yep I will stick some screws in shortly once I have found the safe place I stashed em.....

I can truly relate to that. I've found if I buy more it greatly increases you chances of finding the others!

Barry

[silversurfer1947]

I highly recommend using some fasteners as well. Mine is as solid as a rock!

Barry

Yep I will stick some screws in shortly once I have found the safe place I stashed em.....

I can truly relate to that. I've found if I buy more it greatly increases you chances of finding the others!

Barry

I thought it was just an age thing with me, buying things, putting them safe and not being able to find them!