What is the best glue to use to make minor repairs when you have the piece that broke off? If you recommend "super glue" how much time do you have to align the broken piece back to its original position before the glue sets and you can no longer adjust the pieces position?

I purchased two valuable older pieces with slight damage. The piece that broke off came with it.

Bob

I've repaired a few HL's and Super Glue works great.

Bob - I personally like the Brand Name "Instant Krazy Glue" that comes in 4 little individual use tubes packaged inside a clear plastic container. You can buy them just about anywhere(I get mine at our local Publix Supermarket) and the individual tubes can be used again or thrown away after a one time use. Most of the time you can't reuse any super glue once it's opened because it becomes hard in the tube so why buy the big tubes. The Krazy Glue sets up the fastest and you don't have to coat both sides of the break. Just make sure that you have the piece positioned right because once you set the piece in place you have only about 2-3 seconds to make a final position. Just put a light layer on the piece that you are bonding to and then place the broken piece on the bonded area. Good luck!

Leave it to Rich, the man is a genious!!!

Bert - You need to tell my wife that, especially when it come to me driving her car.

I buy my Super Glue in a package of 4 tubes. They are reuseable and don't get hard unless the cap is not put on right.

Works great !!!

Bob,

I would be carefull in using fast drying super glue on older HL's depending on year and country of MFG. If made in California or Canada the raw exposed material is very porus. Fast drying super glue is not a good gap filler and will dry over the surface of the porus material. This type of drying action will draw air from within the material causing that white residue,crazing, and poossible discoloration that can often be seen in using crazy glue. If you can, I would test a small amount on like material. If you are working with the very porus material of California or Canada try using a gap filling crazy glue. There are several grades for a variety of applications and materials. Another good glue would be weldbound dilluted or full strength in very small amounts and no, Weldbond is not the same as Elmer's . I have been a model railroader for years and have a wide range of experiance in using glues on all types of materials. Email me for more info if you wish.

Lonnie

Thanks for the tips on "glue" to fix damaged HL's. I have a few new additions to my collection that need some minor repairs. Purchasing a few damaged pieces wasn't my original intent but I consider it a challenge to see if I can repair them so they will be suitable for dispay.

The price was right in all cases and I feel I may be rescuing them from being lost forever. "One man's trash is another man's treasure."

Special thanks to Henry for his input via email. It was appreciated. We have many helpful and knowledgeable people in our group here at the CF.

Bob

I have now repaired a few HL's now. None of which I expected to have to repair.

They included my Liberty Enlighting the World, Avery Point, Coquille(Glow), Bass Harbor, and Ludington Pier. There might be one or two more I forgot.

Some needed Super Glue, some needed modeling clay, and some needed paint.

All look great now.