Quote from emadgic on May 12, 2025, 3:13 pm

From Crafting Wonders to Professional Magic, Find Your Perfect Bond.

I'm creating a poster that explores a variety of adhesives, from super glue to specialized materials, with brief pros and cons for each. This guide is perfect for crafters, DIY enthusiasts, and professional magic makers, helping you decide what to use and where.

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I. Instant Super Glues

Product	Best For	Pros	Cons
406™ Prism®	PLA plastic, PVC	Strong bond on specific plastics.	Brittle; not flexible materials. Hard to get, buy a knock off version with same formula
380™ Black Max®	Parts subject to shock, vibration, and temperature cycling.	Flexible, impact-resistant, good for dynamic applications.	Slower cure time than other CAs; black color may be visible.
401™ Prism®	Leather	Versatile for porous materials.	Can dry stiff; may not be suitable for very fine leather work.
404™ Quick Set®	Rubber, elastomers.	Fast bond on rubber, creates a strong seal.	Less effective on non-porous surfaces; can be brittle.
444™ Tak Pak®	Wire tacking, circuit boards.	Precision application, good for electrical components.	Small quantity per bottle; best for very specific tasks.
496™ Super Bonder®	Metals	Excellent adhesion to non-porous, rigid materials.	Can be brittle; less suitable for flexible joints.

II. Craft & Household Adhesives

Application Tips: Allow sufficient drying time. Clamp or hold pieces in place if needed.

A. Elmer's

Product	Best For	Pros	Cons
White School Glue	Book cover binding, rope gimmicks (non-fraying solution).	Non-toxic, easy to clean, flexible bond, good for porous materials.	Not waterproof, longer drying time, not suitable for heavy-duty bonds.
Clear Liquid Glue	Balloon sealing (squirt inside for extended helium retention).	Dries clear, flexible, good for light-duty sealing.	Not for structural bonds, can be messy.
Glue Stick (purple)	Paper (without wrinkling or deforming), playing cards (if sanded).	No-mess application, smooth finish, prevents paper buckling.	Weaker bond than liquid glues, not for non-porous surfaces.
Disappearing Purple Spray Glue	Sticking 3D printed parts to glass beds (for glass bed printing).	dries clear, strong temporary hold for 3D prints on glass bed.	Can be messy if not applied carefully, not for permanent bonds.

B. Gorilla Glue (Polyurethane-Based)

Product	Best For	Pros	Cons
Original (Brown)	Multi-purpose	Expands to fill gaps, can activate with little water, very strong.	Foams significantly (can damage delicate crafts), requires moisture to activate, long cure time.
Clear Gorilla Glue	Clear finish, holding magnets	Dries clear, no foaming, strong bond. no smell	Slower set time (2-15 hours)

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III. Specialty Adhesives

A. Wood Glue

Product	Best For	Pros	Cons
Wood Glue Ultimate	Any wood project, waterproof. Can be used as a sealing coat for wooden cups (pottery-like finish).	Waterproof, strong bond, can be stained/painted, versatile for sealing.	Can be used as a layer on top of wood filament prints.

B. Epoxy

• General Characteristics: Two-part adhesive (resin and hardener) that creates extremely strong, rigid, and often waterproof bonds.

Product	Best For	Pros	Cons
3M Epoxy (High Heat)	For high temperature resistance (up to 350°F).	Excellent heat resistance, strong, durable.	Can be brittle, specific mixing ratios required, not food-safe.
J-B Weld	Metal, food-safe (after full cure). great for foo can and drinking water props	Extremely strong, resistant to chemicals, water, and temperature.	Can be messy, longer cure time, dark color may be visible.
Clear Epoxy (General)	Water sealing, containing liquids, clear casting.	Dries clear, waterproof, strong, good for decorative work.	Requires precise mixing, can produce bubbles if not mixed correctly.

C. Spray Adhesives

• Application Tips: Work in a ventilated area. Protect surrounding surfaces from overspray.

Product	Best For	Pros	Cons
3M Super 77™	Temporary or permanent bonds on paper, fabric, foam, poster board. Will not break lamination on playing cards.	Versatile, fast-drying, good for temporary repositioning, clean application.	Less aggressive bond than other sprays, not for heavy materials.
3M Hi-Strength 90	Heavy-duty bonds, laminating, adhering foam, fabric. Will break lamination on playing cards but can deform them if not ventilated.	Very strong, high initial tack.	Can deform cards if not properly breathing, aggressive bond, difficult to reposition.
Krylon® Easy Tack Adhesive Spray	Re-tack cutting mats, temporary adhesion for cut-and-restore card effects (e.g., Piff the Magic Dragon).	Repositionable, low tack, allows for multiple adjustments.	Not for permanent bonds, can leave residue over time.

D. Rubber Cement

• Temporary bonds or "peel-off" effects.

Product	Best For	Pros	Cons
Rubber Cement	Skin magic (e.g., needle through skin), dollar bill gimmicks, costume work (peel & reposition).	Flexible, non-staining (when used correctly), repositionable, dries clear.	Not for permanent bonds, can break down over time, strong odor.

E. Other Adhesives

Product	Best For	Pros	Cons
Beacon Foam & Poster Glue	Card Bonding without sanding (breaks lamination), foam, poster board.	Strong initial tack, good for foam and paper.	Can deform cards if not enough air to breathe, similar to 3M Hi-Strength 90. discontinued product, might need to contact manufacturer

E6000 Adhesive: Excellent for coin-related adhesion, whether you're attaching a coin to a thumb tip or constructing coin gimmicks. Smell Horrible

Hot Glue Sticks: Just remember, silicone will break down after a few years. Great for temporary solutions, but not permanent at all. Good for quick fixes—if a prop breaks down minutes before the show, it's a great way to glue it quickly and provide a super strong fix.

 

If you have a favorite adhesive or a clever use for one not listed here? Share your suggestions! We'll test them and add them to our growing guide. If we gather enough great info, we'll create a printable poster with images!