the never ending search for a great, easy to use and cheap adhesive.

Does such a thing even exist I wonder? I adore absolutely adore - the Glue Arts Glue Glider Pro. But the adhesive is pricey - even if I go to HL w/ a 40%off coupon its $5 for 40 feet. BUT it goes on like BUTTA and it stays stuck (something my old fav Monoadhesive doesn't do) and if you go over the edge it so nicely rubs off the part you don't want stuck - so see I love it - but I'm wondering if an alternative exists..............and I know lots of you like the ATG but I prefer something smaller for long sessions as I have some muscle issues at times.

So ladies (and any gents) please give me your 411 on adhesives - which you like - why - which you don't like - you get it TIA

Andrea

the only aternative I know of is the ATG, Andrea,,,,,,

my 8 year old gs uses it without issue, you get 36 YARDS (3 feet in a yard) for less than that 5 bucks (if you know where to shop) and it rubs off the part you dont want it on too,,,,,,

have you TRIED an ATG? it's so light, i'm having a tough time figuring out how it would exacerbate muscle issues,,,,,,,,admittedly, I dont' have any muscle issues, so perhaps i am just being dense here wouldnt be the first time

I also know some people use the ATG tape WITHOUT the gun, but the twisting involved in breaking the tape would probably cause more muscle issues than the gun,,,,,

Cheap and good aren't always in the same product. I've tried so many different glues.

I looked the small Glue Glider but the refills turned me off. Too costly and too much landfill waste.

I second Holly's suggestion of the ATG. I love my gun!!! It's way cheaper in the long run but I do place large orders once a year.

The ATG guns are pricey but well worth it and is cheaper in the long run. Actually easier on my hands/wrists. I've got the beginnings of carpal tunnel and the gun is better for me.

I used to use the Duck Easy Sticks. I'd buy them in the 4 pack for around $9. This is equal to ONE roll of ATG tape, which cost me about $3.

My first order of ATG was the gun and 24 refill. With shipping it was $72 which made the cost of each roll at $3. Prices have gone up on both the gun and tapes but it's still cheaper.

Plus after 10 refills it was like free if I'd have been paying for the other adhesive.

Also, I only broke one roll of the dozens I've used. I just rethreaded it and kept on going. I can not tell you how many Easy Sticks I've broken over the past 2-3 years. I never trashed these but they were aggravating to use once broken.

Ok so the size is what was turning me off - but I haven't tried one..I'm going to the SB Expo in Duluth (Atlanta) friday and I wonder if there is one there I can try before I buy...I'm getting convinced...Are there different brands and if so which do y'all recommend.

Thanks as always!!

Andrea

The size was initially a turn off for me, too but it's really a plus. I never lose mine in my work area.

Framing supply place use these guns. If you have a Hobby Lobby near you, you'll see the yellow gun in their framing area. Red gun is the exact same size but can only use the 1/4" tapes. So they handle the same way and you can get a feel for it.

Dh was the one who encouraged me to get it when I showed him how much cheaper it was than what I was buying and the landfill waste it made.

try to find one to try, Andrea,,,,,,,,really my 8 year old gs uses it with NO issues at all,,,,

my recommendation is the scotch 714, the RED gun,,,,,the tape it takes is 1/4 inch and is CHEAPER than the tape that goes in the yellow gun,,,,

BUT you can get the same feel using either gun, so try one!!!!!!!!!

I was just re-reading the above and Holly - you could never be "dense" my dear!

I'll keep an eye out at SB Expo friday to see if I can try one - if now I may just buy it out of faith in y'all - cuz I've been hearing about it for years and other than it can be tricky to load refills all I hear are good things.

SO how tricky is the refill process?
Andrea

the first time it will make you feel like a first class idiot,,,,,,,

my suggestion, watch the You-tube tutorials,,,,,MUCH easier than the directions,,,,,,

its much easier than i tried to make it,,,,,

second time, you're loading in 12 seconds,,,,

In case you need more prompting...the ATG 714 Gun is awesome. I thought it would be heavy, but it's not. As long as you can squeeze the little trigger with your index finger to run tape and then let go of the trigger to stop, you sould be go to go!!

Another vote for the ATG I can't say enough good things about it.

OK call me nuts. I have a ATG, but I'm afraid to use it. It took me a lot of tries to get it threaded , and now it just sits on my scrap table.

Molly did you watch the You-tube tutorials???

Hmmmmm I have 2 runner refills left (Adtech from Walmart) I have used them for years, and have only had maybe 3 bad rolls. Anyway, maybe I will look into switching. Can anyone PM me with the cheapest place?

• mollydog Said:

Get over the fear and use it!

Hands down, ATG wins every time. I too was a little put off by the size, but in the end I chose it because of cost effectiveness over time and the reduction in my carbon footprint over other adhesives. I was extremely surprised by how light it was. Seriously, I don't think it's much heavier than my phone! And so easy to operate once you get the hang of it - and by that I mean get over thinking the size somehow contributes to weight. I've had absolutely no difficulties using it, and I've got carpal tunnel in both hands!
Now I think Miss Holly is telling stories about how easy it is to load. My tape takes so long to finish, every time is like the first time. LOL!

The ATG is great! I just made an order for 12 refills. With S & H it came to $63. I'm sure you can get it cheaper, too.

I love the Glue Glider Pro too. I use it for paper. For photos I use Elmer's photo stik and for embelishments I use Beacon's Fabri Tac. I haven't found less expensive options that I like.

• traceyjean Said:

LOL, nope, but I think what helped was I went through 3 rolls in one weekend once making mini books,,,,but I don't get the issue loading it,,,,clockwise, over the first under the second around the top and then weave through the opening,,,

piece of cake,,,,,

I do wish they made the scotch gold 1/4" tape in LONGER than 36 yards though, like they make the 1/2" and 3/4" tape

I agree that nothing beats the ATG gun for economy and I think it's pretty easy to use. My autistic 9-year-old uses mine all the time, but he needs me to refill it. For me the only tricky thing is which was to put the refill on the spindle, but there is a diagram and an arrow embossed into the frame that show you which way the tape is supposed to go, kind of like on battery compartments where they have a little battery diagram showing you which side the bump goes on. Well, in both cases I get it wrong 50% of the time if I don't consult the little diagram but once I do, it's pretty much foolproof (after you get the hang of it once).

• lifeinthefastlane Said:

Oh, me too!!! I need a PM for the cheapest place for the ATG!!!!! I am willing to make the Scarface and spend a little to do good for the earth!!!!!

does anyone have a pic of an atg...what does that stand for?

I got mine thru here, just because it was the same price as other places and I trust this site. I am iffy about buying from places I have never heard of. I do buy the replacement tape elsewhere though. I buy it buy the dozen.

Scotch ATG 714 - Adhesive Applicator Gun - Uses One Fourth Inch Adhesive (Purchase Separately)

Andrea, did you ever decide???

another vote for the ATG

i might see if my office will buy one. i keep our supplies at my house. then i can just buy the refills that i use and they can buy what they use.

I do three identical double layouts per family that adopts from us. We keep three books...one at our us office, one at our foreign office and one at the orphanage. so that is a lot of adhesive!

Yes, that is alot! Why not look for someone to help sponsor this?