{"id":2744,"date":"2017-05-25T12:49:53","date_gmt":"2017-05-25T12:49:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/permabond.com\/how-to-reduce-adhesive-cost\/"},"modified":"2026-01-06T19:54:18","modified_gmt":"2026-01-06T19:54:18","slug":"how-to-reduce-adhesive-cost","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/permabond.com\/de\/how-to-reduce-adhesive-cost\/","title":{"rendered":"When is a bargain adhesive really a bargain?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"bargain<\/p>\n

When is a bargain adhesive really a bargain?<\/strong><\/h1>\n

I am a bargain shopper!\u00a0 Over the years, I\u2019ve made many mistakes in choosing the \u2018bargain\u2019 priced product over the tried and trusted goods. Sometimes the mistake is no big deal \u2013 like that off-brand ketchup that no one liked.\u00a0 Other times it is more painful \u2013 the loss of a favorite blouse because the generic laundry soap left a stain on it.<\/p>\n

Hasn\u2019t everyone been tempted by the $1 off coupon on the pop and fresh crescent rolls that are almost at the expiration date?\u00a0 You walk out of the store feeling like you got a great deal \u2013 then you ceremoniously toss those groceries into the car, and POP! the crescent rolls explode \u2013 the thing grows like an intergalactic swamp monster \u2013 covering your car in yeasty goo.\u00a0 Forty-five dollars later, the car carpets have been cleaned \u2013 and the detailer says \u2013 \u201cI love when they put those things on sale in the summer!\u201d<\/p>\n

Savings $1 vs. Cost of Saving $45 Net loss $44<\/p>\n

Frugal vs Cheap<\/h2>\n

Clearly, there is a difference between being frugal and cheap.\u00a0 A fire protection contractor called in with his experience on the high cost of cheap.\u00a0 His company had used Permabond LH050 pipe sealant for years with no leaks.\u00a0 In an effort to reduce costs, they switched from Permabond LH050 to pipe dope.\u00a0 Pipe dope is solvent based whereas Permabond LH050 is an anaerobic adhesive<\/a> sealant.\u00a0 They found the solvent based dope thinned in summer, thickened in winter \u2013 hardened in the can \u2013 and was overall difficult to work with.\u00a0 But they were saving money \u2013 until – they had a minor leak that created mold in a ceiling.\u00a0 The call-back costs were astronomical.\u00a0 Additionally, the contractor feared that their reputation was adversely affected.<\/p>\n

How much do you think they saved on that bargain adhesive?\u00a0 Savings $6 per bottle vs Cost of Savings $7,000 Net loss $6,994<\/p>\n

The risk of using less than the best is evident, but what if both products work well?\u00a0 How do you determine which is the better bargain?<\/p>\n

Adhesive cost per bottle vs. Adhesive cost per part<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Most water-based and solvent-based adhesives are much less expensive per ml than other engineering adhesives. However, most often, when you calculate the amount needed to do the same job and the costs of scrubbing those solvents out of our atmosphere as well as shipping flammable materials, disposing of hazardous waste etc\u2026 the cost per part will exceed the cost per part made with a 100% solids material.\u00a0 Do the math \u2013 you may be surprised!<\/p>\n

<\/h4>\n

So how do I save money on adhesives?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Use only what you need.<\/em><\/h4>\n

This may sound silly \u2013 simplistic, but the savings can be HUGE.\u00a0 When my son was five, I switched from tube of toothpaste to a pump container.\u00a0 It wasn\u2019t about the cost but the bubble gum smelling goo that covered the sink, walls, and ceiling when he brushed his teeth.\u00a0 Proper packaging or automated dispensing may not only save money but can also help ensure stronger bonds and reduce mess.\u00a0 (Note cleaning up mess takes time \u2013 time has costs also.)<\/p>\n

For example, when using cyanoacrylates<\/a>, excess adhesive can slow or prevent cure.\u00a0 The cyanoacrylate requires moisture on the surface to activate the cure.\u00a0 When using anaerobic adhesives, the adhesive only cures between the two metal surfaces \u2013 excess anaerobic adhesive can be more easily wiped away than with cyanoacrylates, but it isn\u2019t creating a stronger joint.<\/p>\n

In automated assembly lines, dispensing equipment can be dialed into the precise amount of adhesive to cover the entire joint without excess. For manual assembly, it may take a bit more creativity to achieve.<\/p>\n

Here are a few tips to control dispensing manually:<\/em><\/h4>\n