I have always used Weldwwod contact cement for EVA/Foam materials/ I aways bought the small bottles but yesterday I picked up a red can of Weldwood Contact cement per many recomendations here. On the back of the can it states Very clearly, with pictures "Turn OFF main gas valve. Vapors can travel along floors to ANY source of heat, spark or flame in next room or basement" On the top of can it says to turn off ALL pilot lights, stoves, heaters and appliances. Open door/windows and do not smoke! I work in a basement shop! Got me leery of opening the can!

Opinions????????

Mike (Southgate, MI)
If I don't want to, I don't have to and nobody can make me (except my wife) cuz I'm RETIRED!!

The vapors that come out of an open can are STRONG. I made a post a month ago or so, about the contact cement not drying on 2 coats on craft foam, and didn't know why until I went upstairs and came back down - and was hit with the fumes. I now work with the window open adn a fan blowing towards it, that probably doesnt' do anything, but I do know that he odor isnt' nearly as bad on te "other side" of the fan.

OUTSIDE. Work outside with that stuff.. I make all of my reamers on a set of 2 folding sawhorses and a 3' x 4' piece of plywood. It's a lightweight set up and easy to set up and pick up.

Vapors are FLAMMABLE. Many a kitchen wall has been blown off the house cause somebody didn't turn off the pilot light in the range while putting down a new counter top.

Fumes harmful ???? Spend a couple hours with Billy __:>}

You can always tell where people are from - OUTSIDE. REal convient to tell people to work outside, when it's 70 degrees. I think it's 12 degrees up in Michigan today, lol.

All jokes aside, Lance is right, teh stuff is really nasty and ideally should be used outside. THAt' sjust not feasible. I can see Mike B's seminar on unglueing frozen EVA trim rings blown into a pile of leaves techniques come February. lol

Open flames obviously, but sparks from an arc between eletrical contacts can also ignite the vapors depending on their concentration in that area.

Here's an idea - transfer a small amount of the stuff to a smaller can or bottle. Only about what you think you'll be using. A taller, narrower container will allow less vapors to escape. Open a window and start a fan prior to opening the bottle.

Some common sense will go a long way here.

..................

Opinions?

Unable to make an official legal statement due to potential liability exposure!

MSDS Sheets: [www.dap.com]

Wait to open can till travel date for ICRBE - If you aim correctly explosion may save you some spending money on air fare!

If you insist on opening the can in the basement today let me know what time and I will go outside - face north - and observe the launch!

Seriously Mike, outside away from the pot bellied stove in your warm cozy basement!

Mike - a suggestion for an applicator from the big can - get a scrap piece of EVA, off a block, or even a scrap preformed grip. Cut to a triangle shape. I make different shaped applicators depending on wha tI'm doing, and how much CC is left in teh can (so I dont' have to dig my fingers into the can. My favorite for gluing strips together is a wide flat peice of EVA tapered at teh end - it's like usiing a paint roller. One pass and the entire strip is coated with CC.

I should have added fan forced heat and snowmobile suit to my post. You're right Billy. I wasn't thinking about the frigid temps up there. It's cold over here today, in the low 50's.

I believe the CC vapors are heavier than air? Pilot lights along the floor are where those vapor concentrations will reach the LEL quicker than higher up in the room(s).

It's probably near minus 10 wind chill here (maybe lower); snowing and blowing like crazy. I'll wait for warmer weather before setting up my hobby lathe to do some grips. :>)

Putter
Williston, ND

Thanks, guys! I have some that can't wait for summer so what I'm doing now is gluing up only what I can in 5/10 min tops per day. It's the small red can and I close it pretty quickly. Good idea on the applicators, Billy. Transferring into a small container also, Tom.

Lance, discounting the fact that I'm a wuss, It went UP to 31 degrees today and windy as heck!

Mike (Southgate, MI)
If I don't want to, I don't have to and nobody can make me (except my wife) cuz I'm RETIRED!!

What are the best alternatives to contact cement?

Thanks
Tom

Mike;
Use epoxy until it warms up.
john

Mike

The vapor density of the CC will more than likely be heavier than air. The VD of air=1. Check the MSDS and find the vapor density. But, a lot of variables are involved here:

1. The volume of your basement.
2. The movement of air currents. (Ventilation)
3. The amount of CC you have open and exposed to air.
4. The distance from your CC bottle in relation to the open flame or spark.
5. The volatility of the product. (Meaning, how fast it evaporates)

It is true that most CC is flammable and not combustible. But, you would have to leave that tiny bottle open for quite some time for "an ignitable mixture" to form. An "ignitable mixture" is the percentage of vapors(CC) in air that are not too rich or too lean-this is called the flammable range of a product. Too rich mixture=no flame. Too lean mixture=no flame. In between, flame!

I guess my point is, that if you have good movement of air, and only leave the bottle open for a short time you will be ok. Also, the warmer the area that you are working in, the greater the release of vapors from the CC.

As a general rule of thumb in my business: "Expose the least amount of people, to the least amount of product, for the least amount of time". But you can play this for youself as well. Anyway, I'll stop rambling!!!

Also, on a pet-peeve note...It was mentioned common sense. This saying is just a sore spot with me. Common sense is relative to each person. What is common sense to me as a firefighter/haz-mat technition and safety specialist, will not be common to another person. We base our common sense from mistakes, education, and personal experiences- and we all have different experiences. Sorry, just had to vent about common sense-I've seen good people die from common sense.

Have a great day gents..
Respectfully,
Pau;



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/30/2007 09:22AM by Paul Rotkis.

Thanks for the good info, Paul!! I share your pet peeve on "common sense"" I always thing "Common to Who?" I'm not the brightest crayon in the box, BUT Contact Cement has been in use for many years, in crafts, schools, homes and with kids making stuff for years and the subject of many post here concerning EVA and I don't recall EVER seeing warnings used or hearing of any accidents from it's use, so none of my experience or knowledge would trigger my "common sense"

I use the bottle or pint can and rarely have it open for over 5 minutes at a time, hopefully I won't blow up the neighborhood this winter!

Mike (Southgate, MI)
If I don't want to, I don't have to and nobody can make me (except my wife) cuz I'm RETIRED!!

Mike...

No problem, happy to help out when I can. You and many others have taught me much about rod building and I really enjoy giving back to what was given to me. I've always been the dullest Crayon in the box!!! LOL.

Paul