For those of you that build your own enclosure....

[JDeRosa]

What kind of glue do you use? I am looking for one that is mighty strong but not messy.

 

[ghordy]

Use a standard hot glue gun. The glue sticks are a thermoplastic adhesive without any chemical odors.

 

[Lucille]

I use Weld-On 16 acrylic glue to make my acrlyic cages.

 

[gvfarns]

If you are building it out of acrylic, the best stuff is true acrylic cement. I use tap acrylic cement. But weld on #3 and #4 work too.

It's watery. You put the acrylic in place, use a syringe to put a few drops in the joint where you want to glue and it wicks in by capillary action. It softens the acrylic, which then becomes one single piece, then it dries up in a bout 2 minutes. The acrylic hardens for another hour or so. Then your whole enclosure is one piece and looks perfect.

There are instructional videos on how to do all sorts of stuff with acrylic on http://www.tapplastics.com/info/video.php?. Check out the one called "how to glue acrylic".

 

[Mattyb]

I use a standard glue gun.

 

[sAdam]

clearly depends on what ur bonding. for strong and not messy, agree with above - hot glue.

for metal and glass, some flavour of epoxy would be a stronger if slightly messier choice.

 

[JDeRosa]

Oh, yeah someone told me that something like that exists...thanks. Maybe I'll give it a try. Are your T's OK with it? I mean, it's not toxic, is it? I don't wanna poisen the T's. I was in the harware store the other day and you can't imagine how many agents are "known by the state of California to cause cancer." How long must you wait before you can house your T's in it?

If you are building it out of acrylic, the best stuff is true acrylic cement. I use tap acrylic cement. But weld on #3 and #4 work too.

It's watery. You put the acrylic in place, use a syringe to put a few drops in the joint where you want to glue and it wicks in by capillary action. It softens the acrylic, which then becomes one single piece, then it dries up in a bout 2 minutes. The acrylic hardens for another hour or so. Then your whole enclosure is one piece and looks perfect.

There are instructional videos on how to do all sorts of stuff with acrylic on http://www.tapplastics.com/info/video.php?. Check out the one called "how to glue acrylic".

 

[HankyPankyRoe]

Acrylic

Sorry not to hijack, but...............where do you buy you acrylic?

 

[robc]

Use a standard hot glue gun. The glue sticks are a thermoplastic adhesive without any chemical odors.

Totally correct!!!!

 

[JungleCage]

Sorry not to hijack, but...............where do you buy you acrylic?

I just buy my acrylic at home depot. i know theres gotta be somewhere to get it cheaper tho; if someone knows thatd be a big help to me.

 

[Lucille]

Oh, yeah someone told me that something like that exists...thanks. Maybe I'll give it a try. Are your T's OK with it? I mean, it's not toxic, is it? I don't wanna poisen the T's. I was in the harware store the other day and you can't imagine how many agents are "known by the state of California to cause cancer." How long must you wait before you can house your T's in it?

After the Weld-On type glue dries it is actually part of the acrylic. I waited a few days and then used the cages and have had no issues.
Here's a link to the company that manufactures Weld-On so you can get an overview of the different types of acrylic glue and the msds sheets if you want to take a look: http://www.ipscorp.com/

 

[JDeRosa]

The hardware stores by me sell 1/4" acrylic. That is too thick for my taste. I notice the cleanest cuts are those that are scored. I order it online from Freckleface.com.

Sorry not to hijack, but...............where do you buy you acrylic?

 

[violentblossom]

Silicone, for glass enclosures.

 

[JDeRosa]

My experience with silicone is that it eventually breaks down and comes apart. The brown silicone that I used to use for backdrops never stoped smelling. I am done with silicone.

 

[BrynWilliams]

+1 for hot glue, I also buy clear plastic right angle to give added stability where needed.

 

[JDeRosa]

Where do you get that???

+1 for hot glue, I also buy clear plastic right angle to give added stability where needed.

 

[JimM]

My experience with silicone is that it eventually breaks down and comes apart. The brown silicone that I used to use for backdrops never stoped smelling. I am done with silicone.

Ehh...silicone lasts for decades, and is used to assemble glass aquariums...that last for decades.
Not sure what you're doing wrong, but I've never had issues with silicone.

 

[HankyPankyRoe]

Thickness

What thickness do you use?

 

[violentblossom]

Ehh...silicone lasts for decades, and is used to assemble glass aquariums...that last for decades.
Not sure what you're doing wrong, but I've never had issues with silicone.

^This +1.

Maybe you're using a low quality? I have no idea.