Thread: Using CA/ Superglue as a pen finish?

My understanding is that CA glue needs “moisture” to activate and create the chemical reaction which allows it to bond. What you are experiencing is the heat from the chemical reaction, probably increased in intensity from using it like friction polish. CA glue fumes are sometimes used to identify latent fingerprints on difficult surfaces.

I watched a whole heap of u-tube videos on using the stuff and there was never anything like this going on. The timber isn't really damp, well, not according to my el-cheapo Bunnings moisture meter it's not, so I was wondering about the possibility of some sort of adverse reaction. The bits of paper I was applying the glue with got chucked in a container outside the shed.
As superglue needs moisture to cure, what do they put in that "accelerator" stuff? Surely it's not just water? There must be something else in there? Or are we being ripped off yet again?

I've only ever used "good quality" CA... The stuff from model stores (BSI) and Hafele (my favourite).

The puff is the paper towels.

Some have something in them that reacts rather violently to the CA. El-cheapo from Woolworths were my first attempt and they almost went exothermic .... the chopped bits left in the bin next to me heated up and became warm... emitting NASTY vapours the whole time.

The BEST paper towels are these VIVA patterned ones... no smoke, no residual heat, smooth application, easy to fold (in half-half-half so I have a "wick") and snip after each application.... Woolworths Supermarket - Buy Groceries Online

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Aaah, the paper towels, never thought of that. What would they treat the paper with that caused such a reaction? Perhaps it's best I don't know and keep using them to mop up oil and stuff. Sadly we have no model stores in the Hastings valley anymore, we need to make do with a single toy shop and a trio of tool stores which is where the Locktite came from. Shopping day tomorrow, Viva paper towels are on the list. Thanks for the advice!

I really don't know enough about the science of it, but I saw it mentioned once before a looooong time back.

I think it was the dude who runs Timberbits. He had/has a video on YouTube showing his fold-fold-fold technique, which makes a wick. Each end section is used once and then snipped off so a fresh end is presented each time.

A woodworking friend many moons ago showed me this technique when I first started my pen adventure (which I love). He's dropped off the radar after a move. Shame.

The Timberbits dude mentioned smoking towels and the stink of CA. I noticed it when I started (as I naturally bought the least expensive for the studio)... but that was a mistake.

The VIVAs dont smoke, stink or get too hot. They certainly warm up, but that's the CA doing it chemical reaction thing with the moisture in the air.



The VIVA towels are my FAVOURITE even for around the house (car, windows, bathroom, floors, cat spew, etc)... Amazon has the best prices and will sell a bulk 12 packs at excellent prices.

The trouble with paper towels is that they soak up a lot of CA, and some will start an immediate and violent reaction, as you found.
I have been using craft foam as an applicator for years now. No wastage, all the CA goes on the pen blank, and it doesn’t cause the CA to start to go off, so you get plenty of time to go back and forth to smooth things out.
You can buy it from some craft shops or the 2 dollar shops, the last lot I bought was about $1 per 300x300mm sheet, I cut it into strips about 15-20mm wide, lasts for a lot of pens.

The best CA for pens that I have found is Bob Smith Industries, Supergold. GPW sells the medium, but I like the thin. I have to buy it online from hobby shops or eBay unfortunately. It doesn’t give off fumes, and stays a bit flexible, which is what you want for wooden pens. I have heard the Mercury Flex is OK too, but have never tried it.

Originally Posted by Ironwood

The trouble with paper towels is that they soak up a lot of CA, and some will start an immediate and violent reaction, as you found.
I have been using craft foam as an applicator for years now. No wastage, all the CA goes on the pen blank, and it doesn’t cause the CA to start to go off, so you get plenty of time to go back and forth to smooth things out.

Old Hilly ,

Brad (Ironwood) put me onto this some years ago. Was so happy how good it was I bought up big - and now have enough strips to last me several lifetimes . But, not being a cat, I only have one lifetime so if you would like to give these a try just pm me your address and I'll send some to you (or they'll get thrown out when I'm no longer around). No charge, just help me reduce the stock

Cheers, Gary

Originally Posted by Gary H

Old Hilly ,

Brad (Ironwood) put me onto this some years ago. Was so happy how good it was I bought up big - and now have enough strips to last me several lifetimes . But, not being a cat, I only have one lifetime so if you would like to give these a try just pm me your address and I'll send some to you (or they'll get thrown out when I'm no longer around). No charge, just help me reduce the stock

Cheers, Gary

Hey Gary, so how do you like the Craft Foam ? Do you still use it ?

I wouldn't consider changing to anything else.

By craft foam, do you mean the strange dense spongy stuff sold to kids?

This stuff --> Styrofoam Balls, EVA Foam Sheets & Blocks | Spotlight Australia or this --> Kadink A4 Foam Sheets Assorted 8 Pack | Officeworks

Originally Posted by woodPixel

By craft foam, do you mean the strange dense spongy stuff sold to kids?

This stuff --> Styrofoam Balls, EVA Foam Sheets & Blocks | Spotlight Australia or this --> Kadink A4 Foam Sheets Assorted 8 Pack | Officeworks

That stuff in the ofiriceworks link looks like the same thing. I had a look at my stuff earlier when I was down at my shed, it’s A4 in size and was $1.50 for packs of 3 sheets.

I remember reading that cotton causes the CA to set and some paper towels have cotton fibres in them. Good paper towels presumably are only made of wood so the don't start the CA curing. We use Bounty that is available here. I don't know if you can get it and there wouldn't be any guarantees it is made the same. The CA fumes are bad for you whether you can see them or not. You get a chemical sensitivity to them that comes over you like a bad cold, sinuses plug up etc. Best to have lots of ventilation and/or wear a mask with cartridge filters for organic vapours. The ones with activated charcoal in them.

Pete

Originally Posted by woodPixel

I really don't know enough about the science of it, but I saw it mentioned once before a looooong time back.

I think it was the dude who runs Timberbits. He had/has a video on YouTube showing his fold-fold-fold technique, which makes a wick. Each end section is used once and then snipped off so a fresh end is presented each time.

A woodworking friend many moons ago showed me this technique when I first started my pen adventure (which I love). He's dropped off the radar after a move. Shame.

The Timberbits dude mentioned smoking towels and the stink of CA. I noticed it when I started (as I naturally bought the least expensive for the studio)... but that was a mistake.

The VIVAs dont smoke, stink or get too hot. They certainly warm up, but that's the CA doing it chemical reaction thing with the moisture in the air


The VIVA towels are my FAVOURITE even for around the house (car, windows, bathroom, floors, cat spew, etc)... Amazon has the best prices and will sell a bulk 12 packs at excellent prices.

The guy from Timberbits must be about the only video I didn't watch or didn't watch right to the end. All the US pen turners fail to mention the problem of smoke and heat and strangely enough the post on the Penturners International site where I mentioned the problem seems to not be there any more, probably because I mentioned I was using a Locktite product. I did, however, use the 4-fold towl idea that I picked up from somewhere and I did try using the little plastic bags that the pen components come in as a wiper but that was a bit of a failure.

Originally Posted by QC Inspector

I remember reading that cotton causes the CA to set and some paper towels have cotton fibres in them. Good paper towels presumably are only made of wood so the don't start the CA curing. We use Bounty that is available here. I don't know if you can get it and there wouldn't be any guarantees it is made the same. The CA fumes are bad for you whether you can see them or not. You get a chemical sensitivity to them that comes over you like a bad cold, sinuses plug up etc. Best to have lots of ventilation and/or wear a mask with cartridge filters for organic vapours. The ones with activated charcoal in them.

Pete

CA fumes are truly amazing! I have an extractor fan set up on the back of the lathe to shift dust and fumes away from me and I have taken to wearing a respirator while both sawing and turning as well as finishing. I got some "White Knight" quick dry clear coat in a spray can which I found unsatisfactory (it forms little bubbles on the surface on the second coat) and stinks. I like Cabothane clear but the drying time is too long so CA is the best of a bad bunch.

Originally Posted by Gary H

Old Hilly ,

Brad (Ironwood) put me onto this some years ago. Was so happy how good it was I bought up big - and now have enough strips to last me several lifetimes . But, not being a cat, I only have one lifetime so if you would like to give these a try just pm me your address and I'll send some to you (or they'll get thrown out when I'm no longer around). No charge, just help me reduce the stock

Cheers, Gary

Gary, I will gladly take you up on your offer once I work out how to send a private message to you. Technology, at least modern technology, is not my strong point and I am still coming to grips with stuff from the late 20th century!