Ambroid Liquid Cement

ozarkpaddler

Curious about Wooden Canoes
I was planning on making up a little "Repair kit" for my W&C Pal and am having trouble finding the recommended "Ambroid" cement. Do any of you have a "Source" for it, or do you use some other type of cement? Thanks!
 
Look under the builder and supplier directory.I know Northwoods Canoe and others sell it.

Greg
 
Look under the builder and supplier directory.I know Northwoods Canoe and others sell it.

The Northwoods Canoe page at http://www.wooden-canoes.com/material.htm says that Ambroid is "Currently unavailable." Glues like this are also popular with the people who build model airplanes so try your local model shop. This question has come up before and others have suggested Duco Cement as an alternative. I have used Duco for many different things over the years with good results. The page at http://forums.wcha.org/showthread.php?12503 has some discussion on this topic. Good luck,

Benson
 

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Thanks. So far all the sources I'd checked were "Out of stock." I found the one on E-bay, and it is for SIX tubes, but it says it is "Old Stock?" I was wondering if they still make it, or if there is something out there new and better? Thanks again!
 
I don't think it is made any more. Too bad. I bought six tubes on ebay last year. Hope it has a long shelf life.
 
It might just be a rumor, but I once heard that the makers of Ambroid could no longer get the metal toothpaste tubes, so stopped making the product? I had so-so luck with it making repairs on trips, although it got me home. I think there might be a better option with all the glues available these days. I am just not sure what that better option is.
 
I used some Loctite Vinyl, Fabric and Plastic flexible adhesive to make some repairs to old pants, gluing scrap canoe canvas over holes in cotton pants. The stuff smelled, looked like, and performed just like ambroid glue. So far the patches have been through several washes.

Your mileage may vary, but a product experiment would not hurt. Maybe I will try one, soaking such in water for a few days.
 
As I recall, ambroid’s basic ingredient is cellulose acetate.
“It was first prepared in 1865. Cellulose acetate is used as a film base in photography, as a component in some coatings, and as a frame material for eyeglasses;[1] it is also used as a synthetic fiber in the manufacture of cigarette filters and playing cards.”
The history of abroid cement is here http://www.ottertooth.com/Canoe_pages/ambroid.htm.

Its main secret ingredient is cellulose acetate, derived from frame material for eyeglasses.

Listed an ingredient in Loctite Vinyl, Fabric and Plastic flexible adhesive is Butanone, also known as methyl ethyl ketone (MEK). One its many uses is as an industrial solvent for cellulose acetate. So there is a fair chance that Loctite Vinyl, Fabric and Plastic flexible adhesive is an abroid cement clone.
 
As I recall, ambroid’s basic ingredient is cellulose acetate.
“It was first prepared in 1865. Cellulose acetate is used as a film base in photography, as a component in some coatings, and as a frame material for eyeglasses;[1] it is also used as a synthetic fiber in the manufacture of cigarette filters and playing cards.”
The history of abroid cement is here http://www.ottertooth.com/Canoe_pages/ambroid.htm.

Its main secret ingredient is cellulose acetate, derived from frame material for eyeglasses.

Listed an ingredient in Loctite Vinyl, Fabric and Plastic flexible adhesive is Butanone, also known as methyl ethyl ketone (MEK). One its many uses is as an industrial solvent for cellulose acetate. So there is a fair chance that Loctite Vinyl, Fabric and Plastic flexible adhesive is an abroid cement clone.

Thanks so much! Due to this, lack of availability except a 6-pack, and Fitz's "So, so luck" he had with Ambroid, I ordered this: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_n...e+Vinyl,+Fabric+and+Plastic+flexible+adhesive
Will have duct tape (as always) just in case. Thanks everyone!
 
Listed an ingredient in Loctite Vinyl, Fabric and Plastic flexible adhesive is Butanone, also known as methyl ethyl ketone (MEK). One its many uses is as an industrial solvent for cellulose acetate. So there is a fair chance that Loctite Vinyl, Fabric and Plastic flexible adhesive is an abroid cement clone.

I do not think the Loctite product is an Ambroid clone.

The base of the Loctite product is polyurethane, not cellulose acetate or cellulose nitrate. See:
http://henkelconsumerinfo.com/produ...S&LANG=EN&COUNTRY=US&VKORG=3450&MATNR=1360694

Further, as far as I know, the solvents used in Ambroid were acetone and alcohol (similar to today's Duco cement). These solvents are much less harmful than MEK. I do not believed that Ambroid contained MEK.

Methyl ethyl ketone, used in the Loctite product, is a nasty chemical, a known carcinogen, suspected of causing birth defects, and otherwise hazardous. Used in small amounts in a very well ventilated area or with an appropriate respirator mask, the Loctite product's potential for actual harm is likely small, but it is not non-existent. The fumes should not be breathed.

See the MSDS for the Loctite product:
http://henkelconsumerinfo.com/produ...S&LANG=EN&COUNTRY=US&VKORG=3450&MATNR=1360694

The MSDS for Duco: http://www.onboces.org/safety/msds/D/Devcon Duco Cement August 2002.pdf

I have never used the Loctite product, so I have no idea if it performs well -- I suspect it does, because Loctite products generally perform well.

But when other less noxious glues (or even varnish) can be used for a traditional canvas on canvas repair, and duct tape can be used for a very effective temporary repair, I see no reason to mess around with something containing even small amounts of MEK.
 
I do not think the Loctite product is an Ambroid clone.

The base of the Loctite product is polyurethane, not cellulose acetate or cellulose nitrate. See:
http://henkelconsumerinfo.com/produ...S&LANG=EN&COUNTRY=US&VKORG=3450&MATNR=1360694

Further, as far as I know, the solvents used in Ambroid were acetone and alcohol (similar to today's Duco cement). These solvents are much less harmful than MEK. I do not believed that Ambroid contained MEK.

Methyl ethyl ketone, used in the Loctite product, is a nasty chemical, a known carcinogen, suspected of causing birth defects, and otherwise hazardous. Used in small amounts in a very well ventilated area or with an appropriate respirator mask, the Loctite product's potential for actual harm is likely small, but it is not non-existent. The fumes should not be breathed.

See the MSDS for the Loctite product:
http://henkelconsumerinfo.com/produ...S&LANG=EN&COUNTRY=US&VKORG=3450&MATNR=1360694

The MSDS for Duco: http://www.onboces.org/safety/msds/D/Devcon Duco Cement August 2002.pdf

I have never used the Loctite product, so I have no idea if it performs well -- I suspect it does, because Loctite products generally perform well.

But when other less noxious glues (or even varnish) can be used for a traditional canvas on canvas repair, and duct tape can be used for a very effective temporary repair, I see no reason to mess around with something containing even small amounts of MEK.

Hmmm, thanks for that info. Makes me reluctant to use it now. Glad it was inexpensive. Will check that other source for Ambroid. Thanks to all here so much for going out of your way to help!
 
The Ambroid Company is no longer in business. They just kind of dropped off the face of the earth and never gave any reason or warning that they were stopping production. It appears they just disconnected the phone and went home! I had a good supply on hand because they were kind of on and off for a number of years but I did finally run out of stock. I sold a lot to model makers who were searching hard for the last tubes!
Duco seems to do a good job.
I have been working with a new manufacturer and something may come of that but it will still be a few months before I know if they really will be able to produce the old Ambroid.
 
The Ambroid Company is no longer in business. They just kind of dropped off the face of the earth and never gave any reason or warning that they were stopping production. It appears they just disconnected the phone and went home! I had a good supply on hand because they were kind of on and off for a number of years but I did finally run out of stock. I sold a lot to model makers who were searching hard for the last tubes!
Duco seems to do a good job.
I have been working with a new manufacturer and something may come of that but it will still be a few months before I know if they really will be able to produce the old Ambroid.

Thanks. I E-mailed the folks at "Happy Hobby" and they no longer have Ambroid in stock, either.
 
I have not used Aquaseal for canvas-patching purposes, but I've used it for other things including gluing wet-finish (feels oily) canvas to cotton strapping. It sticks very strongly! Someone should try it with water-moist canvas. Aquaseal is a urethane which cures to a rather hard, but flexible rubber, and lasts a long time. I doubt it will take paint, and will be very difficult to remove from anyplace you do not want it to be. Tom McCloud
 
I had thought about the painting issue as well. I thought to consider it for a canoe that needed to get home for new canvas or someone who just wanted to get another season out of old canvas.
 
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