Friends,

Major accident at the "SPLASH Bridge" I'm doing....Anybody good suggestions about how to glue Plaster of Paris ??

Full coverage on Armorama soon....

it looks like this :

:::::::Bridge:::::::

I think that a lot of folks use 2 part epoxy for that.

I usually use white glue. If you are gluing heavy pieces you may want to strengthen the joint with some toothpicks.

I've glued a lot of plaster of paris rock molds on my model rr layout with ordinary carpentars glue. Apply liberally if you wish, and simply wipe off the excess with a damp rag/paper towel. Depending on your climate the cure time might be up to a day +, but once cured its rock solid (no pun intended lol). Good luck! :-)

Steve aka WeWillHold

I've used both two part epoxy and white glue. Either work just as well. Depending on where the crack in your bridge is you may want to consider Keenans toothpick idea. I sometimes use stiff hobby wire too - (snipped paper clips are great too) for support and strength.
Careful not to get the glue on the face of the bridge as the glue will eliminate the ability to etche and score the plaster.

I'll go for white glue, that for the specific task is in my view better than epoxy because it's thinner...
Ciao

I have joined this a few times and have used piano wire pins. Drilled holes in both sides and glued them in place. I then went on to fill the gap with spackel. The stuff that comes in tubes from the hardware store for mending walls. You can be as messy as you need to be. If you have already scribed the pieces when flat this is excellent. A damp sponge will remove all excess spackel and leave an almost invisible joint. Even in the scribing. When it has set for some time.... but not fully cured you can scribe over the filling and all looks well. Look for keith Forsythes article on preping plaster buildings here in the forums. This may help also.

As you can see, a lot of folks use a lot of different products. I prefer a product called FABRITAC glue, which is available at most major craft stores (Michaels, Hobby Lobby, etc.) or directly through the company (beacon). There are several reasons I use this product:

a) it is "sticky" immediately, about the consistancy of peanut butter. This means you can "fit" your pieces before locking them in place.

b) unlike white glue, which is water based, it will not weaken when your wash is applied. I've had that happen a time or two with white glue pieces that received a liberal wash. Fabritac is not affected.

c) it dries hard as a rock and is both clear and VERY strong.

The only two minor downsides to Fabritac is that it costs more (about $8.00 per 4 oz bottle), but it goes a LONG way. The other thing is it is thicker than water-based glues, so you have to make sure to put on a thin film to make sure no excess squirts out the sides.

Refer to my article "Prepping Plaster Kits" in the FEATURES->DIORAMAS section, and you will get more information about this product and how I use it on my plaster work. The link is below:

https://armorama.kitmaker.net//features/15

Im with KFMagee on this one. Fabritac is an awsome glue for plaster.

What I meant to say was keith Magee. Sorry Keith ......... but I see you answered yourself!

Hi Danny,

I suggest u these 2 part epoxy. Strong, and holds a lotta Kg.'s within 5 minutes.

Take it easy.

I used both white glue and 2 compound epoxy,both works...Epoxy is better ;it dries faster and holds stronger.

Guys,

thanks for all the input. Tonight will be "repair night", when I'm gonna try out your suggestions.

Thanks !!

Danny

To Keith McGee:
Hello - I just wanted to thank you so much for posting this info about FabriTak glue. I purchased a plaster of paris lampshade that arrived smashed to smithereens and just finished gluing it back together with FabriTak. You are so right -- it is thick and holds the pieces together well. White glue (very runny) would not have worked for this Thank you, thank you, thank you for your posting. Sometimes we post things and think that people never see them. I registered on this site just so I would be able to send you a note to tell you HOW MUCH I appreciate you taking the time to help someone like me.