Can Accelerant Glues Actually Hold Up?
If you’ve ever built a 3D print, fixed a project mid-fail, or needed a quick bond on the fly, you’ve likely turned to super glue. But what happens when we introduce accelerants into the mix? Are they actually stronger—or just faster? Today on Maker Build It, we put three glues to the test:
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Instant Bond (with accelerant)
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Kraken Bond (with accelerant)
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Loctite Super Glue (no accelerant — our control)
And yes, we brought in the twist test, the snap test, and our trusty force gauge to measure real-world bonding strength.
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The Glues We Tested
Instant Bond and Kraken both use a spray accelerant that rapidly cures the glue. This can be great when time matters—but does it compromise the bond strength? To find out, we pitted them against Loctite, the classic control glue used in many maker projects.
We applied each glue to standard PLA bike handles, a material we consistently use for testing. Then we let the Loctite cure for 30 minutes while the other two were ready nearly instantly. After that, it was time to break stuff—on purpose.
The Tests: Twist, Snap, and Force Gauge
1. Twist Test
Each glued part was twisted by hand. None of them broke at the glue joint. That’s already saying a lot about all three contenders.
2. Snap Test
Again, the PLA itself broke before the glue did. All three glues held strong under snapping stress.
3. Force Gauge Test
This is where things got really interesting. We used a pointed metal probe to apply pressure directly at the joint and measured the force in newtons.
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Instant Bond: Maxed out the gauge (~50 newtons). No break.
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Kraken: Same result—no break, even under repeated pressure.
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Loctite: Also maxed out the force gauge. Bond held strong.
So… Is Faster Better?
Here’s the surprise: both accelerant glues performed just as well as Loctite. That means you’re not sacrificing strength for speed—which is huge if you’re working in a time-sensitive environment or just impatient (no judgment).
But here’s where the real decision comes in: cost per ounce.
Hands down, Kraken won the price war while matching the performance of both competitors.
Final Thoughts
When you’re bonding PLA, repairing prints, or building anything that needs a strong, quick-drying glue, accelerant-based super glues are absolutely worth considering. They cure fast, hold strong, and in the case of Kraken, they’re way more budget-friendly than Loctite.
At the end of the day, it’s not just about speed—it’s about smart building. And knowing your adhesives is part of being a better maker.
What Glue Should We Test Next?
Materials Used:
• Kraken Bond Glue - https://amzn.to/4eayudY
• Instant Bond Glue - https://www.lowes.com/pd/InstantBond-4-oz-Liquid-Super-Glue/5014400449
• Loctite Super Glue - https://amzn.to/4jVXE0Y
• Force Gauge Tester - https://amzn.to/4ejCiJR
• Safety Goggles (because safety first) - https://amzn.to/3FM63q1