Adhesives

[Glimmmm]

Hello everyone--I have been visiting this forum over the past few years and find the information and sharing to be very helpful. Has anyone ever heard of a latex adhesive called Copydex? We used it for gluing fabric, etc. to latex shoes, etc. I know that they sell it in the UK, but not in the good ol'USA. It is non-toxic and a great adhesive. Does anyone know of anything similar? I design and build mascot characters, use all the foams, fleeces, etc. and am always looking for new materials.

Thank you!

 

[ravagefrackle]

i have heard of it , but never used it, they only time i have ever seen it was in a old dried up bottle of it that we had in the shop.

i like the other one that is in the uk, THIX O FIX

 

[froggiegirl18]

search is on

Have you tried contacting the creature shop?..Maybe they can help. Just a thought. I tried searching online, which normally I can find anything ,but all the sources came up for the UK, sorry...Or maybe even contacting the Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta..They make their own props/puppets maybe they can help too. Hope that helps.

 

[Buck-Beaver]

I haven't worked with Copydex, but I've heard of it. The closest product in North America that I know of is LePage's Pres-Tite Green Contact Cement. It's solvent-free and works on just about everything that regular contact cement does but the fumes are supposedly non-toxic.

If you're using it on foam the only drawback is that unlike regular contact cement you have to wait until it's completely dry otherwise the foam won't stick together. It takes up to 3 hours to dry depending on humidity, temp. and the PPI (pores per inch) rating of the foam you use.

It's good stuff and available throughout Canada, I'm not sure what regions of the U.S. you can find it, but if you email LePage they can probably help you. Go to lepageproducts.com for more info.

 

[Yahnke]

hey buck, what do you use for adhesives? I use weldwood contact cement. I like it because with a hair dryer it'll be ready to use in less than 5 mins and It always holds. However, i am looking for something different because I am loosing major brain cells by using that stuff. Man, the fumes are strong!!!

 

[Buck-Beaver]

Traditionally I've used LePage's Premium contact cement, but I've gotten in to the aforementioned "Green" non-toxic cement. It's true the drying time is longer, but it doesn't contain solvents or carcinogens.

Please tell me you're working in a well-ventilated area with a respirator Yahnke! Directly inhaled the fumes wreck your immune system and some people believe they can also raise your risk of cancer and impotence.

 

[Yahnke]

well buck,
I don't know if i would call it "well ventilated" but I am not using it in my closet with the door closed! And as far as cancer goes, in all honesty, i have seen so much cancer in so many people, that ANYTHING gives someone cancer. But, the impotence thing...YIKES Thanks for the concern. Acutally i use a mask when i have to use it for any amount of time. Yet the stuff still give me a head ache.

Anyway, where do i get this LePage stuff, and what kind of drying time are we talking about? And can you speed up the dry time with a hair dryer like you can with other contact cements?

Thanks. Just thought i'd let you know about the latest puppet i have been working on. It is a Vin Diesel look a like puppet for my sister in law for Christmas. So far it's going well. I keep you posted with pics.

 

[FISH'N'WOLFE]

well buck,
I don't know if i would call it "well ventilated" but I am not using it in my closet with the door closed! And as far as cancer goes, in all honesty, i have seen so much cancer in so many people, that ANYTHING gives someone cancer. But, the impotence thing...YIKES Thanks for the concern. Acutally i use a mask when i have to use it for any amount of time. Yet the stuff still give me a head ache.

Be VERY careful around this sort of thing, if you're getting a headache then you don't have sufficient ventilation. Trust me on this, I worked for an antiques shop for 9 years with furniture refinishing chemicals, glues, epoxies, you name it. I know all about it, I worked in a large basement area and we only had an air conditioner for fresh air, and we could open the cellar door when the weather was nice. That was it. A mask IS NOT enough. You need a professional respirator and it has to be rated for chemical fumes, they make different types for all sorts of applications. It is worth getting one, it's what I used while doing that sort of work. This sort of thing needs to be be taken seriously.

 

[Buck-Beaver]

well buck,
I don't know if i would call it "well ventilated" but I am not using it in my closet with the door closed! And as far as cancer goes, in all honesty, i have seen so much cancer in so many people, that ANYTHING gives someone cancer. But, the impotence thing...YIKES

The product safety specialist at LePage's once told me that it was "incredibly stupid" (his words) to use contact cement without the proper protection and ventilation. And I mean they make the stuff. When the manufacturer openly tells people how potentially dangerous a product can be it's safe to assume that it's very serious.

I'm not sure how widely available LePage's products are in the US, they might only be available in certain regions (they are available nation-wide in Canada). Best thing to do is contact them via their web site at http://www.lepage.com

 

[Treelo]

I remember using Copydex while working at a costume/puppet shop in the USA, although I can't for the life of me recall what sort of project I used it for.

Anyhow, it is available in the US - but it may require some searching to locate a source....