Sugru Basics and Tips

Because of the contest, I got my hands on some Sugru and it's pretty awesome. I've found a bunch of tips and basic instructions, but felt that they needed one place for newbies to read - especially the information that is useful to any project. I'm a newbie myself, so anything I find useful will be included. If anyone discovers any tips that I don't have listed, please comment and I'll add it to the Instructable.

The official website can be found here: sugru.com. You can buy it from the website and shipping is pretty cheap (a couple of bucks US) to anywhere because the packs are pretty small.

The technical data sheet is here: http://sugru.com/pdfs/FORMEROLsugru_TDS_OCT09.pdf

There is a plethora of information on this site: http://getsatisfaction.com/sugru/

And...here's their Facebook page: www.facebook.com

Step 1: What is Sugru?

Sugru is awesome new stuff that seems to be able to do just about anything. It starts out like a modeling clay and turns into silicone after 24 hours. It will hold its shape but stay flexible and it bonds with almost anything.

It's waterproof and can withstand lots of temperatures (-60 °C to + 180 °C according to the website - that's -76°F to 356°F). That means when it's cured, you could use it in the snow and it can withstand boiling (but It's not food grade - don't use it on surfaces where it's going to touch food a lot)! Wow! It's also dishwasher-proof.

Is there anything this stuff can't do?

Comments

[townsend1212]

SOMEWHERE I READ THAT THE FINISH WAS A LITTLE DIFFICULT TO SMOOTH OUT. WELL THE FIRST THING I DID WAS TO WORK ON MY NEW PHONE. AT FIRST I HAD A LITTLE TROUBLE WITH FORMING IT AND THEN IT ALL CAME TOGETHER. TO MAKE A VERY SMOOTH FINISH I STROKED IT SOFTLY AND WALA VERY SMOOTH FINISH, ALMOST SHINNY. I USED MY FINGER NAIL TO MAKE THE EDGES, EVEN AND TRIED TO MAKE SOME LINES FOR TEXTURE THEAT WAS A LITTLE TRICKY BUT I CAN SEE IT WORKING OUT WELL IF SETTING HAS BEGUN TO TAKE PLACE. THIS IS A WONDER OF A SUBSTANCE. SORRY TO HEAR THAT IT IS NOT FOOD QUALITY I WANT TO MAKE A SPECIAL MOUTHPIECE FOR MY NEW E-CIGAR. WELL HAPPY SUGRU-ING.

[jen7714]

You should probably add that Sugru can't be used on surfaces that have to stand a lot of wear. So you can't use it on the bottom of shoes and such (which really stinks because I had a awesome idea but now I can't since I found that out).

[jwystup]

Done, I added it to the "cautions" and as a note after I list what it won't stick to. I had the same problem when I found out it isn't food-grade silicon when cured :( I really wanted some silicon tipped tongs!! But it's still new, we can hope they'll come out with some new features :)

[mwfaniej]

Please what is sugru?
we in south africa might have another name for it
thanks Fanie

[jwystup]

It's a new product, unique to the company that sells it. It starts out kinda like modeling clay and it hardens into a flexible silicone. It sticks to almost anything (with the exception of a few metals and plastics). Check out their website at sugru.com, they have a lot of examples of what you can do with it!

[mwfaniej]

Thanks for the quick response and explanation
regards Fanie

[hanlie]

Hey Fanie

I live in Cape Town and ordered mine online, quite cheap but it took about 10 days to get here. It's amazing stuff though, get some and start playing.

[monkey_uk]

I've found that Sugru will stick to almost any plastic, but sometimes you need to roughen the surface of the plastic with some sandpaper first. Failing that, if for any reason it falls off, a bit of superglue can hold it in place.

[angelabchua]

Question.... I used sugru and a paper clip to replace the zipper pull on my jacket. Well now it comes time to wash said jacket. How will the sugru fare in the washer and the heat from the dryer?

[paperclip32]

The sugru will fare fine.It's waterproof and heat resistant up to 180 deg. C.The paperclip on the otherhand,may not fare as well.

[FruitbytheFace]

The power of......Sugru? (Mighty Putty)

[wiredcur]

Thanks for the Sugru primer. I'm looking to make a male-plug on the DC-side of a power supply but the only mold I have is the actual female side on my camera. I'm not really ready to put soapy water or oil on my camera. Have you found any other stuff that Sugru doesn't stick to?

Thank

[jwystup]

Plastic wrap! I used it in a similar situation, it peels right off!

[Shesu]

Hmm, sounds similar to the rubber stuff you can dip tools into, except this stuff you can mold into the shape you want.

I don't suppose you can mix it with something so it cures a little stiffer? I have a project where I used a 2-part epoxy clay, but it cured too hard, and I'm afraid this stuff might be too soft.

[pcwhalen]

That "rubber stuff you can dip tools into" is very cool. The two products are VERY different, but can do some of the same stuff.
I fixed an attachment to a hose thread. With the dip, I had to use masking tape, sugru was much easier to apply. Simply put: dip is cheap, messy and fumey where sugru is pricey, controllable and relatively fume-free.
My policy with both is where you need a lot of material to do a job and it doesn't need to look good, dip is king. Where smaller, more refined work is required, sugru is the material. The aesthetic of the material is cool.
Finally, dip coats, sugru molds. If you want to insulate lots of wire: dip. If you are modding a computer and finishing off cable sleeving or smoothing out zip-ties, vanity requires sugru.
Sugru joins WD-40, double sided Velcro, duct tape and zip ties as my favorite things. Add some telephone wire and some spit and you can make a submarine using only those materials.
I just ordered my 3rd assorted color bag.

[jwystup]

Well I'm not sure how stiff you want it. I guess if you make it thicker, then it's more stiff. I was afraid it'd be too flexible for a small hook in my new project but it was perfect (maybe like 1/4" hook holding up a contacts case). Holds its shape really well.

[Shesu]

Hmm, I guess I'll have to try it then. Thanks!

[red211]

where do you get it

[jwystup]

sugru.com

[red211]

ok

[gamemasterful]

Thanks so much! I was wondering if Sugru was conductive. I'm assuming you mean after it has cured. Any confirmation on before it has?

[jwystup]

Yeah, I meant after it has cured. I don't know about before it's cured, but it starts to cure in about 30 minutes, fully cured in about 24 hours. What would you be doing with electricity before it cures?? hmm...

[motleyjust]

What kind of store, or which department. do you find it in?

[jwystup]

I think they sell it in one or two stores in the UK but it isn't in any stores anywhere else. You can get it from their website (sugru.com), shipping is very cheap.

[motleyjust]

Thank you

[dombeef]

Does it stick to silicone?

[jwystup]

I haven't tried but I also haven't seen anything saying it won't. I would think it would stick because it IS silicone when it cures and I'm pretty sure it sticks to itself. The only way to really know is to try!

[dombeef]

Ok, thanks!

[sunshiine]

Thanks for posting this! Great information.

[mary candy]

here in Brazil, I can't find it in the Stores :(

[Kiteman]

They do mail order, and it isn't heavy.

[BrittLiv]

you can buy it online: https://sugru.com/buy/
shipment to Brazil is $1.89