Hi everybody

I was in my shed this morning glueing up some blanks. I used some frothing glue which usually creates some longer cleaning up procedure. I have made some picks to pick out residue. With the tighter fits I use medium CA. Again one has to clean up the inside of the tube but I just wait till it's dry and brittle and the cleanup is as easy as pie.

I started wondering what every body else uses?

Your comments are appreciated

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With kind regards and may the wood chips fly

Islander

I only use 24hr high strength epoxy eg; Araldite. never had a problem.

I did use 5minute araldite on one pen and letter opener set once, because it had to be done by the next day.

I only started turning pens a few months ago and almost exclusively use medium CA. I have tried thick CA and 2 part epoxy a couple of times but just find the medium easy and reliable.

I use medium CA on timber blanks on cheap kits, anything else I use Epoxy.

To minimise clean up, I use dental wax sheet to seal the entry end of the tube, and a push cone at the other end (like the tip of those large silicon tubes). Let it set for 0.5 hour, then remove wax by pushing from other end with punch.

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Hey Islander,

After losing a couple of very expensive blanks, I use 24hr Expoxy Araldite, I will use CA on cheaper kits but never again on an expensive kit. If somebody needs a pen in a Hurry, Hurry time is 1 week from now on.

HazzaB

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It's Hard to Kick Goals, When the Ba^$%##ds Keep moving the Goal Posts.


Check out my Website www.harrybutlerdesigns.com.au

Are the problems with the CA likely to show up after the pens have been in use for some time or mainly during the turning process? So far I have had no trouble, probably made and given away about 40 pens, 7 or 8 different types. I do leave minimum overnight drying and usually 24 hours.

I have asked the rellies and friends in Canada and here to let me know of any problems, maybe they are just too kind to tell me

Hey There,

Seriola the main problems occur whilst turning, usually the last cut before sanding,
I have also had 1 (only one) fail after I gave it too a client, I don't know for sure, but I think that it was left on the Dash in a 40* day, but the timber cracked away from the fittings, I replaced it and haven't had any other problems.

HazzaB

__________________
It's Hard to Kick Goals, When the Ba^$%##ds Keep moving the Goal Posts.


Check out my Website www.harrybutlerdesigns.com.au

I use Vise (from Bunnies) on all wood pens - it's a polyurethane
on acrylics I tend to use 24 hour 2 part epoxy
sometimes use the 5 minute stuff but only if in a real hurry to get the pen done.

I use play doh in each end of the tubes and push out when the glue is dry

BTW I've had a couple of instances where the frothing action of the polyurethane has pushed some of the tube out of the blank, a real PITB but not enough to change to 2 part epoxy for everything. I seem to get epoxy everywhere

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regards
Nick (I really don't need a Stubby!)
veni, vidi, tornavi

I have an unopened bottle of Vise, might open it and give it a go. Sounds like I should leave plenty of blank until after glue has dried while experimenting though.

Oh
It only pushes out when it is a one off, really important glue up

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regards
Nick (I really don't need a Stubby!)
veni, vidi, tornavi

Hi all

This is a better response than I thought. I started thinking that I am in to much of a hurry. I have used Vice, thin and medium CA. I have 3 bottles of medium CA in the fridge bought on a special. It is staying in the fridge as I have had a few pens completed and in the presentation box for a few weeks and then the timber let loose from the brass. I have done everything right as I have researched pen making in depth (learnt through heaps of mistakes and the help of this and other forums) but can now only think that the timber absorbs to much CA to get a good bond. Thank heavens these are only my display pens. I am going back to vice and make peace with the cleanup process. I am also going to try 2 pack epoxy and see how I go with that. The excercise has been successful. If you want a long lasting pen hassle free it takes drying time and elbow grease and patience. I tried looking for shortcuts which turned out to be detours where you got stuck anyway.

Thank you all

__________________
With kind regards and may the wood chips fly

Islander

Hi Dai Sensei

Where does one get dental wax sheets. Do you have to be a dentist?

__________________
With kind regards and may the wood chips fly

Islander

I use one of those craft knives for cleanup of the vice froth
I'm also thinking a little bit of wax polish (ubeaut's best) on the inside of the tube may make the task of cleaning inside easier - even with the play doh a little invariably gets in

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regards
Nick (I really don't need a Stubby!)
veni, vidi, tornavi

Hi Sawdust Maker,

I also use a craft knife. I also use an old punch where I have used the hammered out bit to create a moon shaped lip. I first cut off the excess on the outside of one end of the tube and then push with the puch from that side the other side out. Works like a dream as the halfmoon shape scrapes along the inside of the tube. I am going to see which pens I make the most of and then make some dedicated puches (pusher outers) for each size of brass tube.

Thanks for replying.

Islander

__________________
With kind regards and may the wood chips fly

Islander

hi roger
hows it going i only ever use araldite either 5 min for only a pen or 2 but super strength if im doing more and dont need to turn them the same day

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troy

tutorial for one piece slimline pen