Glues for Pewter

**Linz** · 05-19-2012 07:18

Hi guys
Any of you guys done any work with Pewter?
What glues do you recommend for metal kits?
Can you melt pewter with a soldering bolt?
Any hints gratefully received.
Linz

**The Cowman** · 05-19-2012 12:06

Superglue of some sort.... preferably a gel type. Try to avoid drying accelerators as they weaken the bond. Clean surface is important. I have never tried a soldering iron on white metal... but I imagine it would not work (not hot enough...)

**pflanzer** · 05-19-2012 20:46

If you decal prior to assembly I have found that you do not want to glue to the decal. You need to get a metal to metal glue joint. Otherwise you are gluing to the decal adhesive. I had a landing gear strut rip a decal away from the fuselage. I salvaged it but I learned a lesson.
Tony

**Madboyo** · 05-19-2012 21:36

Originally Posted by Linz

Hi guys
Any of you guys done any work with Pewter?
What glues do you recommend for metal kits?
Can you melt pewter with a soldering bolt?
Any hints gratefully received.
Linz

I use thin and thick superglue for metal models. Make sure the surface is clean (I also roughen at the joint to strengthen the bond). The rubber infused superglue also works well as it also some movement in the joint.

I'm not sure solder will work unless you were using as a filler.

**Grey Knight** · 05-20-2012 04:57

Good quality CA glue I think would be the best way to go.

**André** · 05-25-2012 17:58

GaleForc9 Cyanoacrylate Superglue is cheap and one of the best superglues I know.

**Flying Officer Kyte** · 05-27-2012 00:12

I would follow the Cyanoacrylate Superglue path if I were you Linz. I have had 50 years experience of soft soldering all sorts of metals including pewter, and it is so easy, even after all these years, to melt a part just by leaving the bit in contact for a second or two too long. Nine times out of ten it is fine, but it is no ten that hacks you off because it is always one of the last joints.
Rob.

**André** · 05-27-2012 04:21

Don´t try soldering. If you don´t have ultrafine tips you will nearly always destroy all details near the soldered spot. And even then it does not look nice. The materials used for miniatures these days contain very little pewter if at all and those mixtures don´t react well to soldering heat.