temporary glue that holds

[Paul Payne]

I have a project requiring 12 identical shapes which I would like to shape as a single block, then soak in water to separate them. They will be formed from flat styrene sheet. I have tried roughing out the shape, then gluing and clamping these together with Elmer's glue. The problem is that the sheets separate when I begin working them. Any suggestions for a glue which is water soluble but will hold things together?

[Straightliner59]

You might give Alene's Tacky Glue a shot. Since it remains flexible,  it might hold better.

[Paul Payne]

Thanks, Dan, I will check that out.

[Mark]

If the tacky glue doesn't work, you might use extremely small drops of super glue.  It won't dissolve the plastic, and once the pieces are separated it can be scraped and/or sanded off.

[Casey]

Are double stick tape or carpet tape options?

Edited March 11, 2022 by Casey

[Paul Payne]

I don't think the tape would work due to all edges being sanded/filed and adhesion surfaces would be very small. Thanks anyways.

[OldNYJim]

I agree on the Tacky Glue - works just like Elmer’s, but much stickier.

I’ve used a regular glue gun for larger parts before, and that works well if you need a stronger (but still temporary) bond.

[1930fordpickup]

Could you put a hole or two in the parts?  2 would be best and then put a piece or plastic rod to align them. When the parts are in the shape you need just fill the holes with the same size plastic rod and sand down. 

[Straightliner59]

1 hour ago, 1930fordpickup said:

Could you put a hole or two in the parts?  2 would be best and then put a piece or plastic rod to align them. When the parts are in the shape you need just fill the holes with the same size plastic rod and sand down. 

An excellent idea, when it can be used!

[NOBLNG]

14 hours ago, Paul Payne said:

I have a project requiring 12 identical shapes which I would like to shape as a single block, then soak in water to separate them. They will be formed from flat styrene sheet. I have tried roughing out the shape, then gluing and clamping these together with Elmer's glue. The problem is that the sheets separate when I begin working them. Any suggestions for a glue which is water soluble but will hold things together?

Roughly how big and how thick are the pieces? Could you leave a “handle” or two on them? The handles could be the attachment point that could glued solid with epoxy or old Testors tube glue. Then after shaping, each piece would require only minimal cleanup to remove the handles.

[charlie8575]

Microscale offers a light-duty glue that's billed as usable for temporary positioning of parts. It looks like it's similar to the adhesive used on Post-It notes in liquid form.

Charlie Larkin