Thanks to kbecker for the seeds of this idea. (See HB link.)

What if you could make a sticky gel-like substance that had the two ingredients used in glue guns, but with ingredient 1 "held in suspension" (beads, in capsules) within ingredient 2.

Apply the gel to a surface and it works as a weak glue.

Now comes the nifty part. A special powered gun emits microwaves. Point it at your weakly stuck item and the microwaves pass right through wood/paper/carpet/canvas/glass and melt the beads. Wait for it to cool again and you have a strongly stuck bond!
-- not_only_but_also, Jun 17 2004

Hot glue tape http://www.halfbake...a/Hot_20glue_20tape
Thanks to kbecker for the idea seed [not_only_but_also, Oct 04 2004, last modified Oct 05 2004]

Chemists Seek Light-activated Glue For Vascular Repair http://www.scienced...03/040331005419.htm
The goal is to make it possible for surgeons to splice, reattach, or mend vascular tissue by applying a biopolymer coating and activating it with light, such as a laser, explains Timothy Long of Blacksburg, professor of chemistry in the College of Science at Virginia Tech. Another use would be as a stable, easy-to-use material that medics could apply to stop bleeding and prevent clotting. [not_only_but_also, Oct 04 2004, last modified Oct 05 2004]

Sure sounds like epoxy, but the idea of suspending the binary components in beads that need to be melted before they can mix is new to me. This way, you'd only need a single tube, and wouldn't have to mix the two parts by smearing them all around. +.
-- Guncrazy, Jun 17 2004


Would be handy, a glue that sets when you are ready with adjusting everything and then sets fast. With current expoxies you either have to rush like crazy because they harden in a few minutes, or you have to wait forever. There are some "adjustable" ones (sorry, couldn't find a link), but they are expensive and an art to mix.
-- kbecker, Jun 17 2004


Slight problem: Many of the devices people use to hold things together while the glue is drying are, or contain, metal; some of the things you glue together don't like being warm and change shape subtly when they are, especially if they're not clamped down.
-- jutta, Jun 17 2004


Microwave gun, eh? I vote positive.
-- harderthanjesus, Jun 25 2004



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