MEK is very cheap compared to the modeling liquid plastic glues.  MEK is actually used to make most of these glues but in a diuted form, probably the "hottest" of the comercial glues based on MEK is the Tennax brand followed by the Testor brand and the Plastruct brand.

BE VERY CAREFUL USING IT!.  It is an organic poison that attacks your kidneys and liver the same way that Floquil paint and thinner and automotive paint and thinner does.  Use it only in a well ventilated area and  I strongly recommend using a breather mask with the activated charcoal filters. Keep it off of your skin, it absorbs through it into your body's systems. 

To control the flow of the MEK, make sure you use an applicator like the A-West bottle with the smallest brass tube spout.  This will limit the amount you can apply (keeps you out of trouble) and also keeps the MEK from evporating so fast.  Do not fill the bottle more than half full!  Just the temperature of your fingers is enough to force the MEK out of the spout!

As far as building plastic rolling stock and plastic buildings I won't use anything else!  It is very fast and sets up fast enough so that you can keep moving on your model.

Ben

 I've been using MEK for years, one of those pint cans will last you forever (if it doesn't evaporate, which is what happened to my first can after 15 years.)  It's a great fast solvent, and "a little dab will do ya."  I also use the A-West smallest diameter needle bottle to dispense it.   Or you can apply it with a fine paintbrush and let the capillary action draw the cement where it's needed.  I also keep a bottle of Testors liquid cement, which allows a lot more working time than MEK. 

You definitely don't want to breathe MEK.  So if you don't use a needle dispenser, put some into a bottle with as small an opening as you can.  But if you're careful to not let a large amount evaporate in front of your nose, you should be OK.  Also watch out for open flames.  

The other thing to do is put some BBs/shot into the bottom of your MEK bottle, or put the bottle into some sort of 'spillproof base'.  You do NOT want to spill MEK (or any other styrene cement) on your almost-finished model and turn it into a molten mess (don't ask!)

dave

To control the flow of the MEK, make sure you use an applicator like the A-West bottle with the smallest brass tube spout.  This will limit the amount you can apply (keeps you out of trouble) and also keeps the MEK from evaporating so fast.  Do not fill the bottle more than half full!  Just the temperature of your fingers is enough to force the MEK out of the spout!

Yes, the A-west Applicator is what I use also.  I had Craig, at Dallas Model Works get my A-west stuff for me.  As mentioned, fill the bottle about half full for use.  Any more MEK in the bottle and it comes out faster than is practical, IMO.

Today I saw at te Home Depot a quart can for $9, probably a lifetime supply.

I got my MEK at the local ACE hardware store for $10.

Rick

MEK-

methyl ethyl keytone... is a very dangerous chemical substance. In addition to the vapors being extremely harmful, it is easily absorbed through the skin.

It also can cause "flash fire", with a very low ignition point. The flash fire from MEK is invisible. I once witnessed an industrial accident involving an MEK flash fire in a urethane molding factory. Here MEK was used to clean the mold release residue from the molds. The set up man was using the solvent at his bench. A fault in the wiring of the supposed spark-proof exhaust fan ignited the MEK vapors causing a 15 foot radius flash fire, removing all of his hair and permanently damaging his vision. No one immediately knew what had happened, as the fire was unseen and unheard.

If I used it, I wouldn't use it indoors.

What LKandO said is or may be a State by State regulation because, I can walk into any number of paint stores in Virginia and pick up2 or three 5 gallon cans at any time as well as smaller sizes of cans and containers down to a 1/2 pint can. Then pay and leave with no problem and they always have it in stock.

I was able to find it at my local ACE Hardware store in the section with solvents.

Dan, the MEK formally listed as a HAP I referred to is an EPA Federal regulation applicable across all 50 states of the US. Prior to 2005 MEK was a formal HAP listed product and as such required all distributors and commercial end users to record keep purchase, use, and disposal information. While a non-commercial user such as yourself are not required to keep records, the hardware store selling it was. For this reason many, many consumer, small package sales businesses quit selling MEK for a time. After 2005 MEK was de-listed from the HAP list so the record keeping requirement went away. Consumer outlets began once again to sell MEK. It was available all the time except that many merchants didn't want to do the record keeping so they quit selling it.

Here are complete details. Click the "Modifications" link for information about the de-listing.

From the EPA web site:

Methyl Ethyl Ketone

On December 19, 2005 the Environmental Protection Agency removed methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) from the list of toxic air pollutants. The total number of listed air toxics is now 187.

After extensive technical review and consideration of public comments, EPA concluded that potential exposures to MEK emitted from industrial processes may not reasonably be anticipated to cause human health or environmental problems.

MEK is used as a solvent in the surface coatings industry, specifically in manufacturing vinyl lacquers, some lacquers and acrylics. Industries also use MEK for producing adhesives, magnetic tapes, printing inks, degreasing and cleaning fluids, as a dewaxing agent for lubricating oils and as an intermediate in the production of antioxidants and perfumes.

Emissions of MEK will continue to be regulated as a volatile organic compound because of its contribution to the formation of ground-level ozone.

It seems the title of this thread should maybe have been, MEK IN CANADA???. 

While MEK is available at ACE hardware in the US, there are no Ace Hardware Stores in Western Canada that I know of and, as I mentioned before, the big box stores, like Home Depot, don't carry it either, at least in my part of the world.

The OP is also located in Canada, and so it seems like MEK is no more readily available where he is, than it was where I am.  I had the same problem where everywhere I asked, they had no idea what it was.  It was a paint rep at Home Depot who told me I would not find it anywhere in my area, (Western Canada) but at General Paint or similar outlets and that I would have to ask for it.