Sprue reusing question

I'm starting to get a collection of spure and was wondering, what does everyone do with the bits of left over sprue?

I know some people use them to glue parts on for painting, and it can be heated and stretched to make aerials, and for making roll bars.

Has anyone ever tried re melting sprue to use in casting parts In place of resin?

I've also heard of a method of making a putty from sprue to use to fill holes etc, by putting small sprue parts in some chemical (I can’t remember what they used) Dose anyone know what the chemical is and has anyone ever tried this before?

Thanks
Dion

I throw all my sprues in the recycling bin.

You won't be able to cast with it as you'll never get it to flow into your moulds.  When they make the kits IIRC they use extremely high pressures to force it into the moulds.
Shame really as there's always loads of plastic left over.

You can make "sprue-goo" filler by dissolving bits of chopped up sprue in glue.  I've used Revell Contacta for this in the past but if I was doing it now i'd use Tamiya extra thin glue.
The advantage of sprue-goo is that you are filling with the same material as the model which is stronger than filler.  The disadvantage is that if you have to use a lot of it it can take forever to harden off.

I don't use it for making roll cages etc as it is rarely truly round and often has a mould separation line along it.  You can of course true it and clean it up but i'm too lazy.
I do stretch bits now and then though.

Someone here did report a way of heating sprue and pushing it into holes to use as a filler without using chemicals.  Can't remember who it was or what the details were though.

Thanks Zen,

I might try making up the "sprue-goo" and It might work for small parts, and at the rate I build, it doesn't matter if it takes a long time to harden,   

Some sprue is good for roll bars, round, not much flash, but like you said others are terrible, the bad stuff I use for filling big gaps, I fill the hole with length of sprue and after it drys, I cut off the rest, them putty the difference.

If you don't want your old sprue, I'll have it.

many years ago i did try heating sprue to melt it down and use it for casting, was a complete failure long before i could get it to flow the plastic would catch fire.

priming fluid is what I use to make goo, MEK is the ingredient and melts sprue fast, and its only about $5.00 for 500 ml. I use it to glue most of my models, and its great for scratch building.


also removes paint from resin

Thanks Mutley, I might pick up some on the weekend and give it a go

blatdriver wrote:...If you don't want your old sprue, I'll have it.

If you don't have more than you'll ever need then you aren't building enough.  

If you seriously want it i'll fill a box for you from what's kicking around the floor under my bench (I never was the tidiest person).  You'll have to pay the postage though.

Lol, I'm not building enough.

Thank you Zen, I will try and do some casting and if I can get it to work I might get some off you

I made some goo today, and it looks good, I'm going to try and make a mold from concrete, and see if that works.

-Dion

A few more uses

1. I use sprue to make temp painting stands.(probably posted this before but what the heck!)
If there is not an existing hole in the part, just drill a small hole either in a place where it won't be seen or on the mounting surface
Stretch some sprue and stretch it  using a cigarette lighter (so it is not left burning like matches or candles).
Cut the sprue where the diameter matches the hole you drilled and mount the part using your fav glue or if you use a press fit, it can be removed later- like the 32 grille surround in the photo
Use the lighter to JUST SOFTEN to sprue and bend it around to make a stand.
You can hold the stand while paining and then simply put it down on the bench to let it dry
You can leave part of the sprue on the part that you painted and use it as a stronger mounting point for small parts by drilling a corresponding hole in the surface you are going to mount it to



2. Stretched sprue is also great to apply glue with pin point accuracy. I use this method a lot for attaching small parts. Stretch a piece of sprue, cut it in half (you can cut a chisel point too) and then after use, just chuck it away

3. I also use sprue for disposable stirring sticks - I just cut up lots of the straight bits and keep them in a tin on the bench

4. As Zen said, I use it to fill unwanted holes. After you stretch the sprue, cut it near the point closest to the diameter of the hole to be filled and then coat it with liquid glue (or superglue) and push it in. I prefer liquid glue because it softens the plastic and gives a perfect fit.
Leave overnight and trim/sand the next day


Thanks for the Priming Fluid tip Mutley, I might try that

Chris

Thanks for the info Chris, I never even though of using it for glueing.

I do something similar with drilling holes, but I use toothpicks and a small brick of foam, that way when I'm ready to paint, I just grab the foam, and everything stays on it and doesn't fall over, (which is what used to happen when I used clips)

here you go try this
https://ozautobuilders.forumotion.com/t7067-putty-for-nothing?highlight=putty+for+nothing

Thanks Joey,   

Hi guys, Quick update,

I have mixed up some goo, and used it to fill some parts to see how much it shrinks, and

I've made a master to make a mould out of concrete, I poured the concrete last nigh, just need to wait for it to dry, and then I will put some goo in and see if it works.
-Dion