Apparently the Toluene was the solvent that gave the glue-sniffers their kicks ( I can see why, the old Evo-Stik smells much nicer than the new stuff ). As per usual it seems that the solution is to kow-tow to the lowest common denominator and get rid of the stuff that makes the glue work so that kids don't get smashed on it. And now they don't - but that doesn't bother them, they just move on to more lethal substances.
I can still get leaded solder ( 60/40 or 70/30 ) within the trade, so that's not an issue yet - but it's already clear that lead-free solder is about as good as 'new, improved' Evo-Stik for my application.
I'm thinking that plastic tubes won't sit well with the solvent in the glue, otherwise Evo-Stik would be using them already. Don't know if the Irish place will supply me - but it would be a simple order...just a batch of unmarked tubes. I suspect it'll be a trial filling and sealing them by hand though ( might be worth getting a few glue sniffers round for a 'Nostalgia evening' ).
I should imagine that if, as it seems, Toluene has all but disappeared from the shelves then it means that the directive that caused that makes it illegal to sell certain products containing it. If that's not the case then I look forward to a new glue on the market that says on the tube 'Contains Toluene - so stick it!'
I haven't checked out the possibilities of sourcing Toluene-based glues from non-EU countries, but I suspect the directive forbids import. I did see some flooring adhesive that contains it, but the stuff's too thick for my purposes - and I found a company that claims to have invented a Toluene substitute ( Formula66 )...so clearly it's a solvent that's still in demand.
Regards,