Tried a couple glues with test PLA rings and scrap PVC.

Just for context, each of the 3D printed PLA pieces has a “ring” or two that’s just barely big enough to fit on the PVC pipe. They’re tight enough that they stay in place on the PVC as long as I don’t swing/shake the guitar too much. But for sure the insides of the PLA rings aren’t perfectly smooth, which I’m sure isn’t helping the glues.

For all of these, I’m only applying the glue to the pipe in the final location of the PLA ring. Can’t put the glue directly on the ring, because I need to slide the ring up/down the PVC to get it into place.

Barge contact cement doesn’t seem to “catch”. I didn’t let it dry too much (like I do with EVA foam) because I need at least a couple seconds of adjustability while sliding the PLA into its spot and into the right orientation.

Super glue (cyanoacrylate), in a small amount in a small area, seemed to work. But the working time is just a couple seconds, which scares the hell out of me with these PLA parts that took at least a dozen hours each (print, filler, sand, primer, hand paint). With the small amount, I was able to crack the bond with a little muscle. More glue would probably hold well enough, but then I think I’d have even less working time.

Hot glue is promising. A little more working time than CA glue, and it seems to slowly bond. Once it’s set, it takes a lot of muscle to move the piece, but even then it’s still snug (unlike CA).

Gonna try different amounts and patterns of hot glue, but I think that’ll be my winner. Plus unlike with the Barge, it’ll be nice to be able to glue it all indoors in the air conditioning 🥵

I did end up going with hot glue… It seems strong enough to hold up to con wear and tear, it gave me enough time to wiggle everything into just the right position, and lowest priority, but I I thiiiink I’d be able to muscle some of the pieces off if I ever need to repair/rebuild the guitar. Success! ^{probably lol}