Thread: CA finish on a budget

Originally Posted by Skewturn

Hi all
I am interested in having a go at CA finishes. The problem I have is that I am on a budget. Can I get away with the cheap CA bought a cheap shops and hardware stores or does it need to be the CA you get a woodwork suppliers, like hot stuff. Is superglue the same as CA? I want to start turning a lot of pens to give away and sell and CA has a nicer finish. If anyone has some ideas for turning pens on a budget I would like to hear them.

Ps thanks to Coffenup for showing me the process for putting on a CA finish.

Cheers Skewturn

I have used the packets of tubes from the cheap shops ,its the same CA or Superglue, its usually thin so will need more coats a tube might only do 3-4 pens though but for a couple of dollars its well worth a try when starting off . Cheers ~ John

Originally Posted by gawdelpus

I have used the packets of tubes from the cheap shops ,its the same CA or Superglue, its usually thin so will need more coats a tube might only do 3-4 pens though but for a couple of dollars its well worth a try when starting off . Cheers ~ John

I can buy 8 tubes for $3 so It will be cheap.
Thanks John

Gee The Reject Shop sells 8 on a card for $2 at home. Always handy to have some if needed.

Skewturn ! if you use the closed foam as an applicator it doesnt soak in like it does with paper or cloth so you get more of the CA on the wood where you want it and slightly longer working time to smooth it out each coat ,That also cuts down on waste we can be a scroogy lot at times hehe ! cheers ~ John

Originally Posted by bdar

Gee The Reject Shop sells 8 on a card for $2 at home. Always handy to have some if needed.

Thanks we have a Reject shop here, I will have to try them.
Does anyone know what brand paper towels to use. I just watched a video
were they ignited.
Cheers

If one paper towel doesn't work for you try another. They are not all the same.
I now use the craft foam, as already said I get a longer time to spread and less soaks in and you can use the same piece over and over again.

A question while I'm here, Are you sure its thin in those tubes. I got a 2 dollar bottle one (20gm) and its miles thinner than the superglue in the tubes? Will not blob on the craft foam, it just runs....

Originally Posted by _fly_

If one paper towel doesn't work for you try another. They are not all the same.
I now use the craft foam, as already said I get a longer time to spread and less soaks in and you can use the same piece over and over again.

A question while I'm here, Are you sure its thin in those tubes. I got a 2 dollar bottle one (20gm) and its miles thinner than the superglue in the tubes? Will not blob on the craft foam, it just runs....

Thanks Fly Is the craft foam just the regular stuff from spotlight?

Should be, Its about 1mm thick. All pretty colours.
You can get it in A3, A4 and A5. I got a pack of 20 A5 sheets (10 different colours) at Kmart for 3 bucks (they don't have it anymore).
I cut it into a 1 inch strip.

Spotlight have no search but it looks like this stuff
FOAM SHEETS THICK MULTI 380 x 430 x 5mm 10 PC/PKT - FOAM, SHEETS - Shamrock Craft - Australia's number one supplier of craft

Originally Posted by _fly_

Should be, Its about 1mm thick. All pretty colours.
You can get it in A3, A4 and A5. I got a pack of 20 A5 sheets (10 different colours) at Kmart for 3 bucks (they don't have it anymore).
I cut it into a 1 inch strip.

Spotlight have no search but it looks like this stuff
FOAM SHEETS THICK MULTI 380 x 430 x 5mm 10 PC/PKT - FOAM, SHEETS - Shamrock Craft - Australia's number one supplier of craft

Ive got plenty of this stuff (rug rats)
Thanks fly

Originally Posted by _fly_

If one paper towel doesn't work for you try another. They are not all the same.
I now use the craft foam, as already said I get a longer time to spread and less soaks in and you can use the same piece over and over again.

A question while I'm here, Are you sure its thin in those tubes. I got a 2 dollar bottle one (20gm) and its miles thinner than the superglue in the tubes? Will not blob on the craft foam, it just runs....

Skew I use Viva paper towel, others have said the Aldi paper towel is good as well. If you have a cleaning wholesaler that sells to the public and they sell the blue workshop towel that you find in mechanic workshops that is good too.

Fly if the $2 bottle if it is too thin save it for the likes of stabilizing spalted or punky timber. If you can get the top off the bottle add a bit of medium CA and tweak the consistency of it. Only a little at a time till you reach the viscosity you require.

Have a look at Bunnings for a decent quantity of Instant (CA) glue. It will work out cheaper in the long run. Using little tubes of glue will be very difficult I would imagine. I must admit that the small bottles of thin CA from suppliers on here are very expensive for what you get.

Cheers thanks for the info I will have a look.

I have used the cheap stuff from the $2.00 shop many, many times with success. Just make sure you leave plenty of time between coats . Super glue is really not as "instant" as people seem to think.

i did the maths mate with the tubes against the bigger bottles that last longer and the cost is about the same the only prob with the cheap tubes is it is the thin type and I use both thin & thick on my finishing my pens,
by the way mate to told me that it takes to long when I showed you
Remember
and you are always welcome if I can help you I will
Regards Michael