OK, Here goes!
Solid surface material is made of different things.
Corian and Wilsonart to name a couple are made of acrylic
Avonite brand has some acrylic and the pieces that are some what clear are actually polyester!
It is almost inpossible even with the adhesive made for Avonite and following their directions to glue up with out a seam showing! I tried many ways, even calling the company and that's what they told me.
Avonite also has a poly, acrylic blend which I have mixed results with.
Solid surface has not been made in a greater thickness than 1/2" for about 12 years so it makes it difficult to get the 3/4" thickness
A fabricator can special order 3/4" Corian for many $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Most of the larger blanks that I have are either the old 3/4" or
my largest supply of big blanks came from a countertop place going out of business! My son and I helped clean and unload the storage area in exchange for solid surface material! Trust me this was no easy task!! I ended up with a sprained wrist and a ruptured disc!!! Was it worth it? Of corse!!!! Anyway the countertop fabricator had a habit of glueing up 8 foot by 1 1/2" sections a head of time in many colors in bulk!! Sooooo I have a dard lot of glued up sections ready for me to cut into pen blanks!!!!!
When gluing up Corian or any acrylic coountertop I really prefer using the adhesive for the company.
Corian adhesive is a 2 part adhesive and is actually liquid corian!
It can be purchased on e-bay but be warned some of the oned that they sell have to be mixed up all at the same time!!! The ones that say selfmixing are great but you have to purchase a special mixing gun. Corian brand self mixing carterages can ONLY be used with the Corian gun!!! No exceptions!!!!
Ther are several other companies on the internet that have solid surface adhesive
ACS International in Tuson. can't find the web address at this time but they do have one. and Inegra Adhesives at www.ingra-adhesives.com
You can get an adaptor for your everyday caulk gun for there carterages. There again I am not sure, but do not think that the parts are interchangable between companies. Each company has a list of adhesive that corresponds with the colors of the differest countertop companies. So before you order you need to know the company and the exact color name of your piece
If you decide to use solid surface adhesive PLEASE take precausions!!!!!!! It is VERY NASTY Stuff!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It is really best to do this out side when the temp. is over 70 but if you insist on doing it in the house wear eye protection,nitrle gloves, a face mask for fumes ( I like the 3M 8247 ) I think I got it at Menards. It looks like a notmal mask but is a grey color and is great for anything stinky like CA glue! Anyway I have an exaust fan in my work room and a ceiling filter (really for dust) but it makes me think it helps. I usually have a fan on the gluing facing up to the exaust fan. The warmer it is the faster it dries. Oh did I mention the fumes are flamable? I usually turn off the furnace while gluing. It is easier to do it outside but still where tie mask,goggles and gloves.
Maybe as the kids say this it too much information.
I have had very good luck with the corian adhesive. You usually do not get any seams.
If you want to use wood along with your corian check out my photos. For pens with wood and corian I use flexable CA glue. I leave it overnight to cure. Whenever drilling corian of course one must unload the drill every 1/4" or less. When drillg through glued up corian the problem is the stress the joint go through that is why the flexable works the best. Several of the pen suppliers have this.
Well I guess I have talked enough. I hope this helps.
As to the Ca glue and the seam showing It "seams" like some of the colors work better than others. I too have had mixed results. Alice
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