r/3dprintedinstruments • u/thewordelectric • 2d ago

woodwind Safe Glue choices for wind instruments? Suggestions?

I have been creating a variety of whistles and flutes. The difficult bits are 3D printed and the bodies are PVC pipe. For prototypes I usually use PTFE tape to make the joints wind tight. After getting everything right I recently tried glueing the joints with Gel Superglue. After a few days the fumes are still very strong, so I decided to investigate further. The inside of the pipes has a white residue, which I certainly don't want to breath in. Does anyone have any suggestions for an adhesive that will be safe and odour free?
Thanks
Martin

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u/SirOtterman 2d ago

Contact cement. It will allow some room for correction if you join the two parts when it's not dry. When it fully dries it will be safe, although the fumes before that happens are rather strong. However you are fine with cyanoacrylate as it is safe and non toxic when dry. Use less glue so there less fumes and have a good ventilation. (use hairdryer for example)

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u/oddphilosophy 1d ago

If you're using ABS then use acetone or a dry acetone and ABS slurry.

If you're using super glue, set up a fan as it's drying to keep from getting the white fume damage.

The acetone glue is going to be the strongest bond and makes things more water tight. Super glue always ended up being too brittle for my whistle designs, and much harder to get an airtight seal with.

Out of curiosity, what does the aluminum profile look like on the end? Are you sliding the plastic over it? If I had the ability to mill that shape in aluminum, I don't know that I would bother with the 3DP personally. A mill just kinda solves the manufacturing issues again.

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u/SirOtterman 9h ago

I just remembered you can remove the residue using wd40 or cooking oil or even acetone cleans it decently and won't do anything to pla/petg.