Strong non-toxic jewelry glue that doesn't emit harmful fumes?
March 27, 2017 5:42 AM Subscribe
I am looking for a durable non-toxic jewelry glue that glues metal to metal with a flexible bond and dries clear without emitting harmful fumes.
I am currently using Araldite Standard 2 Part Epoxy but there is a bit of a smell while it is liquid though I do crack open the windows. The manufacturer claims that it's fine with good ventilation and I only use coin-sized puddles at a time but still I worry because I do use it frequently on a long term basis.
I've looked at alternatives like E-6000 (cancer warning on the packaging) and Gorilla Glue but they seem to be even more toxic than Araldite.
Do mefites know of a better alternative or am I just being paranoid? Thanks!
I am currently using Araldite Standard 2 Part Epoxy but there is a bit of a smell while it is liquid though I do crack open the windows. The manufacturer claims that it's fine with good ventilation and I only use coin-sized puddles at a time but still I worry because I do use it frequently on a long term basis.
I've looked at alternatives like E-6000 (cancer warning on the packaging) and Gorilla Glue but they seem to be even more toxic than Araldite.
Do mefites know of a better alternative or am I just being paranoid? Thanks!
Best answer: Your caution about long-term exposure to this kind of stuff is not misplaced but, as someone who also manages chronic exposure to VOCs like this, I think you're being overly cautious.
I would not have any problem at all working with "coin-sized puddles" of epoxy in a well-ventilated area. However, if you're concerned, no one would ever discourage you from using a ventilator mask. They're not that expensive, are reusable, and should mitigate basically any risk you're exposing yourself to here. What you're looking for is "organic vapor" cartridges.
posted by cmoj at 9:58 AM on March 27, 2017
I would not have any problem at all working with "coin-sized puddles" of epoxy in a well-ventilated area. However, if you're concerned, no one would ever discourage you from using a ventilator mask. They're not that expensive, are reusable, and should mitigate basically any risk you're exposing yourself to here. What you're looking for is "organic vapor" cartridges.
posted by cmoj at 9:58 AM on March 27, 2017
You could also build yourself a small fume extractor. Get a small desk fan, a piece of plywood , and a dryer hose.
Cut your plywood about 6" tall and the width of your window, cut a hole in the plywood the size of your desk fan, then attach the dryer hose to the desk fan. A desk fan with solid plastic sides rather than the wire cage ones would be better. Place your plywood piece in an open window, and your dryer hose near your puddle of epoxy.
Also, Wear gloves!
posted by gregr at 12:52 PM on March 27, 2017
Cut your plywood about 6" tall and the width of your window, cut a hole in the plywood the size of your desk fan, then attach the dryer hose to the desk fan. A desk fan with solid plastic sides rather than the wire cage ones would be better. Place your plywood piece in an open window, and your dryer hose near your puddle of epoxy.
Also, Wear gloves!
posted by gregr at 12:52 PM on March 27, 2017
This may be a long shot, but when I was looking for an absolutely non-toxic glue, I used Dental cements. They have a bunch of different types, the one I used hardened under UV light.
posted by dhruva at 3:13 AM on March 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by dhruva at 3:13 AM on March 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Thank you for all the replies, I will be wearing nitrile gloves and checking out the other suggestions though I am definitely not handy enough for a homemade fume hood.
posted by whitelotus at 8:45 PM on March 28, 2017
posted by whitelotus at 8:45 PM on March 28, 2017
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by hortense at 8:37 AM on March 27, 2017 [1 favorite]