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Using Hot Glue To Secure Figures to Layout

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  • Member since
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Posted by richhotrain on Saturday, March 23, 2013 9:24 PM

doctorwayne

richhotrain

OK, Wayne, that's it.

At my next Ops session, your role is that of the Chief Motion Director.  You will be responsible for the continuous movement of people and vehicles around the layout during the session.  

LaughLaughLaugh

Rich

I'd be glad to help out, Rich, but it would violate my probation:
One minute this poor guy's at the livestock auction....
...and as he's driving back to the farm with a load of chickens, he happen to catch a train, or rather it caught him:
 
Except for a few chickens, no one was hurt.

Oh, my word!

 

Alton Junction

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Posted by Lake on Saturday, March 23, 2013 8:40 PM

cacole

I use Goop, a clear silicon adhesive that can be purchased at any hardware or big box store.  It doesn't seem to matter whether it is labeled as automotive, craft, household, plumbing or other type, because they all seem to be exactly the same.

I also use the GOOP. After I started to use it over 5 years ago I can not imagine not having it.

It is easy to remove, but it holds very well and has so many uses for the layout, auto and home.

Ken G Price   My N-Scale Layout

Digitrax Super Empire Builder Radio System. South Valley Texas Railroad. SVTRR

N-Scale out west. 1996-1998 or so! UP, SP, Missouri Pacific, C&NW.

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Posted by doctorwayne on Saturday, March 23, 2013 8:23 PM

richhotrain

OK, Wayne, that's it.

At my next Ops session, your role is that of the Chief Motion Director.  You will be responsible for the continuous movement of people and vehicles around the layout during the session.  

LaughLaughLaugh

Rich

I'd be glad to help out, Rich, but it would violate my probation:
One minute this poor guy's at the livestock auction....


...and as he's driving back to the farm with a load of chickens, he happens to catch a train, or rather it caught him:




Except for a few chickens, no one was hurt.

LaughLaugh


Wayne
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Posted by Phoebe Vet on Saturday, March 23, 2013 7:26 PM

richhotrain

LOL

I've got a feeling that I am the only one on this forum who uses hot glue to secure figures to the layout.

Rich

No, Rich, you are not the only one.  I use hot glue because it sets up almost instantly.

Dave

Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow

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Posted by richhotrain on Saturday, March 23, 2013 4:14 PM

OK, Wayne, that's it.

At my next Ops session, your role is that of the Chief Motion Director.  You will be responsible for the continuous movement of people and vehicles around the layout during the session.  

LaughLaughLaugh

Rich

Alton Junction

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Posted by doctorwayne on Saturday, March 23, 2013 3:24 PM

Don't forget that the WS Accent Glue is painted on the LPB's feet (or bum if they're seated), then allowed to dry before placing them on the layout.  This allows them to be picked up, and moved elsewhere, without re-applying the glue, as the tacky residue stays with the figure, not the spot where they were previously placed.  Eventually, the glue will lose its stickiness, but it can be easily rolled-off with the tip of your finger, so that a new coat can be applied.

I don't yet have a great many figures on the layout, so most of them don't get moved often.  On the other hand, I spend more time working on trains than running them, so I'm not in the layout room as often as I'd like.  As for vehicles, yes, they get moved almost every time that I'm in the layout room, and especially when taking photos.  I hadn't noticed until someone mentioned it, but a series of photos showing a train as it passes a level crossing can appear almost animated if you flip through the pictures fairly rapidly.
An example:


Wayne

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Posted by richhotrain on Saturday, March 23, 2013 12:58 PM

doctorwayne

Rich, any particular reason why you found the WS Accent Glue to be unsatisfactory?  Or why you'd want to place the figures permanently?  The latter seems somewhat akin to never moving vehicles to other locales or trains that never leave the station.  While our trains are, of course, intended to move, people and vehicles should do the same, even if they require help from the big hand.


Wayne

Wayne, the WS Scenic Accents glue definitely set up faster than Aleene's Tacky glue, but I have found hot glue to be the easiest adhesive to remove from the figures although hot glue sets up almost instantaneously.

As far as moving people around, or cars for that matter, most of my people and vehicles have remained in the same position for nearly 10 years.  That is surprising to hear that some of you move people around.  On a regular basis?

Rich

Alton Junction

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Posted by doctorwayne on Saturday, March 23, 2013 12:08 PM

Rich, any particular reason why you found the WS Accent Glue to be unsatisfactory?  Or why you'd want to place the figures permanently?  The latter seems somewhat akin to never moving vehicles to other locales or trains that never leave the station.  While our trains are, of course, intended to move, people and vehicles should do the same, even if they require help from the big hand. Smile, Wink & Grin


Wayne

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Posted by richhotrain on Saturday, March 23, 2013 11:34 AM

mbinsewi

I set up a Christmas train scene(Hawthorne Village Green Bay Packer train) about every other year or so, with lots of details. Bare trees, buildings, people and all. It's about 30 sq. ft. in size.   I found a "waxy" kind of stuff at a Micheal's store, in the area where they have the village accessories.  It comes in a little blue container, looks like a small hookey puck.  It works great for temporary and permanent settings.  You can use for trees, people, whatever.  Just stick their "feet" in the stuff, and put them on the scene.  Everything is packed away right now, or I'd give the name of the product.

Mike.

Interesting, I need to check that out.

Rich

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Posted by richhotrain on Saturday, March 23, 2013 11:33 AM

maxman, while it is not my intention to remove and relocate figures, there have been a few instances where I have done just that.  So, the idea of forming a clear plastic base is a good idea.

Rich

Alton Junction

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Posted by mbinsewi on Saturday, March 23, 2013 10:32 AM

I set up a Christmas train scene(Hawthorne Village Green Bay Packer train) about every other year or so, with lots of details. Bare trees, buildings, people and all. It's about 30 sq. ft. in size.   I found a "waxy" kind of stuff at a Micheal's store, in the area where they have the village accessories.  It comes in a little blue container, looks like a small hookey puck.  It works great for temporary and permanent settings.  You can use for trees, people, whatever.  Just stick their "feet" in the stuff, and put them on the scene.  Everything is packed away right now, or I'd give the name of the product.

Mike.

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Posted by maxman on Saturday, March 23, 2013 10:12 AM

Rich:

When you attach the figures are you looking for a permanent bond, or something that allows you to remove the figure later if you change your mind without damaging the original surface?  If you don't want to damage the surface, then some additional thought as to the adhesive might be required.  Or as mentioned previously maybe you'd want to attach the figure to a small piece of clear flat plastic to form a base. 

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Posted by richhotrain on Saturday, March 23, 2013 7:43 AM

maxman

There are several flavors of Aleenes Tacky Glue.  The bottle I have in front of me has sort of as purple label and is called Fast Grab Tacky Glue.  Label says it "holds item on contact".  What is the surface you are gluing to?  Or maybe the question should be what is on the surface you are gluing to?  Is it a hard surface, or a surface that might have scenery material on it?

maxman, I suspect that is the problem.  I use the Original Tacky Glue, and it takes too long to set.

Mostly, I glue the figures to styrene plastic surfaces.

I recall that when I bought Aleene's at a local Michaels store a few years back, there were at least 6 varieties to choose from.  In my confusion, I went with the original formulation.  I see now, in researching the product, that the Quick Dry or Fast Grab forumulation probably makes more sense.

Rich

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Posted by maxman on Wednesday, March 20, 2013 10:24 AM

There are several flavors of Aleenes Tacky Glue.  The bottle I have in front of me has sort of as purple label and is called Fast Grab Tacky Glue.  Label says it "holds item on contact".  What is the surface you are gluing to?  Or maybe the question should be what is on the surface you are gluing to?  Is it a hard surface, or a surface that might have scenery material on it?

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Posted by doctorwayne on Tuesday, March 19, 2013 8:10 PM

richhotrain

Wayne, is that a brawl going on outside of that passenger car?

Rich

No, simply a brouhaha.  Someone made a comment about Accent Glue, but it was mistaken for  a disparaging remark about one guy's accent:  LPBs will be Bs, I guess. Smile, Wink & Grin

Wayne
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Posted by UPinCT on Tuesday, March 19, 2013 7:21 PM

Hi Rich,

I had seen Cody's Accent Glue tip as well.  I have never used it and you mentioned that you where not so "hot" on it.  What have been your issues with it?

Just wondering because I have never used it.

Derek

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Posted by Geared Steam on Tuesday, March 19, 2013 6:31 PM

Liquid Nails brother, Liquid Nails Smile, Wink & Grin

"The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination."-Albert Einstein

http://gearedsteam.blogspot.com/

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Posted by richhotrain on Tuesday, March 19, 2013 5:27 PM

doctorwayne




 


 

Wayne, is that a brawl going on outside of that passenger car?

Rich

Alton Junction

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Posted by doctorwayne on Tuesday, March 19, 2013 5:15 PM

I use Woodland Scenics Accent Glue, as I like to be able to move the LPBs around.  Very easy to use and it leaves no mark when the figure is taken elsewhere.  It's also useful when placing figures temporarily for taking photos.

I also used it for affixing bums to seats in my doodlebug.  I'm not sure how often they'll get moved, but if I want to do an illustrated story involving passengers and trains, it may prove useful. 



For the same reason, I'll probably use if for my loco crews, too, even though most will need to have their legs amputated at the top or even higher. These seated figures at least kept their upper legs:




Wayne



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Posted by zstripe on Tuesday, March 19, 2013 5:00 PM

Sorry about the double quote, didn't realize I did that until I posted,,,

Cheers,

Frank

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Posted by zstripe on Tuesday, March 19, 2013 4:57 PM

soilwork

There is a real good tip in the latest installment of Cody's office where he glues figures on to small clear sheets of styrene so they can be moved around, I thought that was a good idea! I think he was using white glue.

soilwork

There is a real good tip in the latest installment of Cody's office where he glues figures on to small clear sheets of styrene so they can be moved around, I thought that was a good idea! I think he was using white glue.

Cody used Scenic Accent Glue by WS. to glue the figures to the plastic.. I have used it without the plastic and along with Hobby Tack, have had good results..

Cheers,

Frank

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Posted by soilwork on Tuesday, March 19, 2013 3:41 PM

There is a real good tip in the latest installment of Cody's office where he glues figures on to small clear sheets of styrene so they can be moved around, I thought that was a good idea! I think he was using white glue.

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Posted by richhotrain on Tuesday, March 19, 2013 1:50 PM

LOL

I've got a feeling that I am the only one on this forum who uses hot glue to secure figures to the layout.

Rich

Alton Junction

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Posted by zstripe on Tuesday, March 19, 2013 12:23 PM

How about Fly paper Rich??

All kidding aside, I use Hobby Tack and it works well for me and the switchman on a sw7 front railing,that hasn't fallen off in 4yrs.

Cheers,

Frank

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Posted by ollevon on Tuesday, March 19, 2013 12:08 PM

Rich,

  I tend to move things around a lot on my layout, including figures. So I use different  types of glues, depending on what I want to glue down.  Fro figures I like to use double sided scotch brand tape, just a little piece around the feet works fine for me.

  Sam

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Posted by BATMAN on Tuesday, March 19, 2013 11:01 AM

MisterBeasley

  When I set up a figure who wants to fall over, I pick up an automobile from nearby and use it as a support.  A while later, I look at the scene and say "What's that old Chevy doing there?"

Me too!WhistlingLaugh

Brent

"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."

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Posted by richhotrain on Tuesday, March 19, 2013 10:53 AM

BATMAN

Rich.

You can buy hot glue that sets at a different rate. I have 30 second and 90 second. It also melts at different temperatures.

Now that is interesting.  I will have to go down to the layout and check the labels.  I have two different hot glue guns.

Rich

Alton Junction

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Posted by richhotrain on Tuesday, March 19, 2013 10:52 AM

MisterBeasley

I also use Aileen's Tacky glue.  When I set up a figure who wants to fall over, I pick up an automobile from nearby and use it as a support.  A while later, I look at the scene and say "What's that old Chevy doing there?"  Then I remember the new figure, put the car back on the street and the job is done.

LOL

Mr. B., I recall that you are a fan of Aleen's Tacky Glue.

I just did an experiment with it by placing the glue on the feet of two figures, waiting about two minutes, then left the room.  When I returned 10 minutes later, both figures had fallen over.  I just do not like Aleen's, it seems not to have any holding power.

Rich

Alton Junction

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Posted by MisterBeasley on Tuesday, March 19, 2013 10:48 AM

I also use Aileen's Tacky glue.  When I set up a figure who wants to fall over, I pick up an automobile from nearby and use it as a support.  A while later, I look at the scene and say "What's that old Chevy doing there?"  Then I remember the new figure, put the car back on the street and the job is done.

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

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