KenV
Member
From one of the masters of finishing ---
Finish for Wooden Pens - Popular Woodworking Magazine
"......So my recommendation for an alternative finish to CA glue is pre-catalyzed lacquer. It also crosslinks. It is sold in small containers by Craft Supplies as "Melamine." The product comes from England, and this is what pre-cat is called there, at least by Mylands, the supplier of the finish. (Catalyzed lacquers are made with melamine.) Here's the link to the product…
You can also buy pre-cat at paint stores that sell to the professional trade, of course. But the smallest size will be a gallon, which is a lot unless you turn a lot of pens.
Be forewarned though that this finish also has fumes, so if you're interested in a substitute for CA glue, this may not work well for you. The solution for fumes is good airflow away from you. You can arrange this easily with a fan.
If the fumes from both CA glue and pre-cat irritate you, even with a fan, you may have to settle for an inferior finish.
— Bob Flexner"
Finish for Wooden Pens - Popular Woodworking Magazine
"......So my recommendation for an alternative finish to CA glue is pre-catalyzed lacquer. It also crosslinks. It is sold in small containers by Craft Supplies as "Melamine." The product comes from England, and this is what pre-cat is called there, at least by Mylands, the supplier of the finish. (Catalyzed lacquers are made with melamine.) Here's the link to the product…
You can also buy pre-cat at paint stores that sell to the professional trade, of course. But the smallest size will be a gallon, which is a lot unless you turn a lot of pens.
Be forewarned though that this finish also has fumes, so if you're interested in a substitute for CA glue, this may not work well for you. The solution for fumes is good airflow away from you. You can arrange this easily with a fan.
If the fumes from both CA glue and pre-cat irritate you, even with a fan, you may have to settle for an inferior finish.
— Bob Flexner"