When you’re shopping for glues, it can be a bit overwhelming. When it comes to the right one for you and your mini projects, there are a number of factors to keep in mind:

Color

You want your glue to match the color of material you’re trying to glue down. If a miniature piece is made from clear acrylic and you use some yellow colored epoxy on it, not only will it look bad but it probably won’t stick either. The same goes for white miniatures that need white glue or black statues that you don’t want turning brown because of a colored adhesive.

Type of adhesive

There are several types of adhesives to choose from, each one with it’s own unique properties and disadvantages. Glues can be divided up into four general categories based on their attributes: water-based, oil-based, solvent-based and two-part epoxies. Water-based glues such as white glue are easy to clean up but don’t last as long as other kinds of adhesive. Oil based products such as contact cement are great for heavy duty projects but require a lot of preparation time prior to use. Two part epoxies like ZAP and Zap-A-Gap are fast drying and versatile but require a high level of skill to work with properly.

Strength

The stronger the glue, the more permanent it is. If you’re a beginner, you don’t want to buy anything that’s going to be too hard or messy for you to use. For most projects where gluing miniatures into a base is required, a good hobby grade epoxy like Zap-A-Gap works well. It’s strong enough to hold treasures and statues in place but not so strong that it can’t be pried apart should you need to do repairs or break something down later on.

Safety & Storage:

Don’t let a glue scare you off from trying something new and interesting just because it appears dangerous. Almost all glues have some amount of hazard associated with them, but you can significantly reduce the risks by taking a few simple precautions. First, always keep the glue out of the reach of children and pets. While most glues are relatively safe, they can be dangerous if they’re ingested and some are even flammable. I recommend using a protective coating like Modge Podge to seal your glued objects so that accidental spills can be cleaned up more easily later on.

There are also some types of glue that pose special risks to your health and the environment. For example, Super Glue will actually bond skin to skin in seconds, making it extremely dangerous if accidentally applied to flesh instead of plastic or metal. (A quick trip to the emergency room is needed if this happens!)

Toxicity of Glues like Contact Cement, aka Krazy Glue

This type of glue is less likely to cause a serious problem than others, but it’s worth noting because it’s commonly found around the house and easy to use. In fact, it’s been used by school children for decades and also as an alternative DIY fix-it kind of material. However, when in incorrect contact with your skin or eyes, the effects can be rather dramatic.

The good news is that, despite its name, there are no known reports of anyone actually being killed by contact cement. However, it can cause significant long-term health problems if you don’t take the proper precautions and get immediate medical attention.