Solvent adhesives... why don't more people use them?

**Skraggy_uk** · 03-23-2005, 07:17 AM

Anyone know of a good source of Acetone/Propanone in the UK? Seems the only likely place I can find is a pharmacist, and not cheap for a 20-50cl bottle.

I know it is a major component of nail polish/nail varnish remover, but I wonder of they add anything that would stop is melting the plastic or sticking so well.

**Scouse Monkey** · 03-23-2005, 08:25 AM

you could try www.fisher.co.uk but i don't know if they do sales to individuals.

**Skraggy_uk** · 03-23-2005, 08:45 AM

Originally Posted by Scouse Monkey

you could try www.fisher.co.uk but i don't know if they do sales to individuals.

Have actually found Glasplies in Southport.

Seems for general fabrication they look excellent and do great quantities of Acetone for a good price.

**Scouse Monkey** · 03-23-2005, 08:51 AM

Originally Posted by Skraggy_uk

Have actually found Glasplies in Southport.

Seems for general fabrication they look excellent and do great quantities of Acetone for a good price.

5L for £6+VAT is pretty good. If you opt for the 25L be careful where you store it as there are restictions on large quantites for safety.

**Skraggy_uk** · 03-23-2005, 08:57 AM

Oh I wasn't going to go with more than the 5L. Don't need that much.

But i thought the prices were excellent too. Thats why I posted that link to them.

And I made a post for them as a general fabrications supply place for the UK too, seing as most of the posts tend to be more US centric.

**TTpewtr** · 03-23-2005, 05:02 PM

Discovered a nifty way to make ABS shavings....if you have the planer attatchment for a dremel. I was using a Surform planer to make some shavings when it dawned on me that a motorized planer would be a lot faster. So, out came the dremel and the rest is history. This attatchment does an excellent job of making very thin, small shavings that melt quickly with acetone. Just go and get about a 2ft piece of black ABS pipe from the hardware store and start shaving. Be safe and use goggles and make sure you use a pretty large sheet of newspaper or what not for the shavings to collect on.

**Skraggy_uk** · 03-23-2005, 05:06 PM

Oh what a clever idea, I have an electric plane. Hmm. Now that would beat it's way through ABS pipe real easy.

**nzKAOSnz** · 03-23-2005, 06:56 PM

dont they sell acetone in art stores?

**Skraggy_uk** · 03-24-2005, 03:21 AM

Actually, I have know idea, but even google let me down locating a source.

From links given by various DIYer, industrial chemistry suppliers, boatyards, and fibreglass suppliers to the motor repair industry seem to be the biggest sources, apart from very small ammounts in pharmacists.

TBH, I haven't even seen the ready mixed ABS adhesives mentioned here in DIY stores.
I've seen the solvent weld ABS and PVC pipes, but never seen anywhere selling the adhesive (apart from online), either with the pipes or in the adhesives aisles. Most plumbing jobs in the UK tend to be done with either push fit for low pressure, or compression fit for higher pressure jobs when using plastic pipe.

**Scouse Monkey** · 03-24-2005, 04:41 AM

There is place in backburn that makes the solvent weld plastics. Pretty helpful guys, we went along to look for some plastic for the bathroom ceiling. Just cna't think what it was called. It is up by a crash repair place and a supermarket on a bit industrial park.