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There are various posts on this if one does a search, but they're mostly old information and
I'm re-posting to see what current glues are being used by tube collectors.
I have a few tubes with loose bases so all information and experience very welcome. Preference given to widely available glues, since I'm in Europe and would buy here.
Follow Ups:
You want flowable silicone. It's very thin viscosity, is used for repairing leaks in the seal around a car windshield. Flow it into the base and clamp with rubber bands until it sets. Nothing to wipe off if you are careful, it becomes an invisible repair.
I agree with Steve O. I use clear RTV. Its good for 500 deg. F and if you wipe it with a wet finger, you can make a nice, smooth bead.
from auto parts store. This is sodium silicate based glue. Inorganic and highly temperature resistant.
...I tried that stuff once . The glass cracked circumferentially at the base/glass joint when the tube heated up during use. I found it hard, brittle and uncompliant and figured that was the cause of the cracking. Has the stuff changed? Or did I do it wrong?
I used this, since I have a lot in the garage. Prolly, don't need to go to these heat extremes... but, it works well.
Adheres very well to glass and quite heat resistant. Can also be messy.
I have always had good luck with using clear nail polish. It seeps down in between the glass and the base and tightens things up again.
Nail polish in nitrocellulose, same stuff smokeless gunpowder is made of.
Are we talking about nail polish or nail polish remover? Nail polish remover is traditionally acetone based, though you can get acetone free versions as well. Presumably it isn't the acetone that's nitrocellulose....
I'm talking about clear nail polish.
Edits: 09/19/17
Eli D writes "First, try a solvent, like acetone or MEK. "Reactivating" the old cement may be all that's needed. If additional holding power is needed, try cyanoacrylate".
He seems to be saying use acetone to re-activate the old glue, not add fresh nail varnish.
If that's the case I like the idea of re-activating what's already there before adding either superglue or RTV silicone. Seems to make sense.
To each his own. The polish has and continues to work well for me. It must have some solvents in it as well, becuase it seems to soften the old glue before it dries. The solvents are probably volatile and evaporate off. If I ever have some acetone around I will give it a try.
Edits: 09/20/17 09/20/17 09/20/17
"To re-cement the tube, use clear nail polish - paint a ring around the base, let the polish soak into the old cement, recoat, and let dry overnight. Polystyrene "coil dope" works as well, and can be used to refill the nail-polish bottle. Solvent (acetone, etc.) are ineffective in softening the old base cement - the cement was baked hard in manufacture, and "nothing" dissolves it."
Source : Tube Lore by Ludwell Sibley - post by Bas Horneman
Matches what I have read in old radio restoration books and articles. Thanks for the info.
The old time radio guys used it forever and so have I. Never had any problems, and I have fixed lot of loose tubes that way. You don't need much, just 2 or 3 drops placed around the base between the glass and the base material.
Edits: 09/19/17 09/19/17 09/19/17 09/19/17
First, try a solvent, like acetone or MEK. "Reactivating" the old cement may be all that's needed.
If additional holding power is needed, try cyanoacrylate.
Eli D.
Cyanoacrylate is available in super-thin, thin, medium or high viscosity - which is better for tubes? Is it the case that the thinner viscosity penetrates down further into the base? Just guessing here....
Edits: 09/19/17
that stay relatively cool, but not for ones that get really hot. Cyanoacrylate softens at about 60C/140F. Silicon can stand up to 300C.
I don't worry about viscosity, the over the counter "super glue" has always worked well.
--------------------------
Buy Chinese. Bury freedom.
I agree some of my globe 46's base were loose , cheap harbor freight super glue works very well.
The thin stuff seems to work the best for me. If you accidentally get the gel stuff, it won't weep down and disappear like you want it to.
Cyanoacrylate fast-acting adhesive = Super Glue available at most drug and hardware stores.
Crazy Glue is one of the trademark names I believe.
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