Hi All,

faced another problem.... I am currently customizing my model and I have a loose joint problem.

basically, the joint is like that (sorry need to learn to upload photos, but in the meantime I'll illustrate with the below):


( ) being the clamps with female housing

-|- being the part with 2 male joints sticking out from the left and right

(-|-) being the assembled part (suppose to be articulate)

after assembly, I found that the joint were loose, so I filled the female housing with super glue and set it to dry, dry fitted it, still loose, then I filled the female housing with epoxy putty and fitted the whole thing and let it cure.

at first it was tight, but now it's back to normal....any ideas how to tighten the joint without removing the clamps? thanks again!!!

Perhaps you need to add in braces (just like inserting metal rods in broken bones) to strengthen the joints.

Maybe you could <ahem> try 'enlarging' the male part instead for a 'tighter' fit. :P :D

pooh bear, actually I kinda favor your *ahem* method but that requires opening up the clamps.... which I am quite afraid to do with all the epoxy putty inside, dunno how they cure inside and afraid to find out.

i read on some website that they recommend putting a few drops of nail polish remover to tighten joints.... anyone try before? this method verified or not? I scared the nail polish remover would eat my kit instead lah... can anyone confirm?

Is the joint made of styrene?

Acetone free NPR is styrene safe. If you're afraid to spoil the kit, try it on some spare sprue or plastic lying around. I'm not sure how this is going to make the joint tighter though. If you find out, do let me know :)

BTW, if the parts that the joints are supporting are heavy, you may have to permanently glue them in place.

here some of my 2 cent trick
1. Dip Joint in Super Glue.
2. Dip Joint in Metal Primer.
3. Use Food Wraper Flim.
4. Use Wire Tape.
5. ... no idea liao

even while i'm still guessing how the female and male part look like, well i know super glue and epoxy wudn't work to secure tight movement of joints simply because they are rigid, constant movements only helps loosen the parts ;)

for wat i do when i've to do my own joints, the male part i'll use elastic plastic rods, with diameter exactly with the female fitting.
then, i reinforce the male part by inserting a metal (brass) rod thru it (drill a smaller hole, say if i use 0.5mm rod, i drill a 0.4mm hole thru the elastic male part)
by doing so, i'm enlarged the male part whilst it's already in the position in the female part.
the joint will be just a bit tighther :lol:


ps: i'm still a bit worry my comments might not help as i too, dont have pic to show :unsure: