Dumb Gluing Question

[shastastan]

I'm not a new pen turner. I just received my Sierra pencil kit from Berea Hardwoods. Their general instructions say to plug the ends of the tube before gluing to the blank. I've never done this in the past although I have gotten a little glue inside the brass tube a few times and had to file it out as is shown in The Exotic Hardwoods video (in Library). I use thick CA glue and an insertion tool to put the tubes with glue into the blank. I'm not sure how I arrived at the way I do it, but I haven't had any major problems so far.

I guess my question is, "Should I always plug the tubes to keep the glue out?"

Thanks for any comments.

 

[longbeard]

I use play-doh to plug the ends on all my glue ups. For me its less time than cleaning glue out of the tubes.



Harry

 

[eranox]

I can tell you that I sure don't. I apply the glue to the tube (as I think everybody does) and then insert with a twist. Sometimes the excess gets into the tail end of the tube a bit, but I wait until it's dry, and then break it free with the point of my skew. It usually comes off in one big flake. If I used an insertion tool, I imagine it would plug the tail end and I wouldn't have any problems at all.

If there is a gap at the leading end between the tube and blank, I fill it with a little thin CA. If I get any in the tube, same procedure. No problems so far.

 

[thewishman]

I don't plug my tubes, either.

 

[lyonsacc]

I too use play-doh (bought a 4 pack and gave 3 to the kids). Keeps the insides of the tubes a little cleaner.

 

[Crashmph]

I don't plug tubes... I have all of the Whiteside barrel trimmers and that usually gets all the glue out for me. YMMV

 

[GaryT45]

I don't plug the tubes, have not had any major problems.

 

[kovalcik]

Just personal preference. Do what works for you.

 

[toddlajoie]

I only plug the end that goes in first, as that is the end that gets filled. I use 2 part epoxy and can say from experience that if it gets inside the tube, it really doesn't want to come out and generally will not "chip" out. It can make getting the TBC bushings in nearly impossible if you don't get it all out.

I did not have the same issue when using CA or Gorilla glue, as they did not adhere to the brass as well, but that (not sticking as well), in the end, was a bigger problem than plugging the tubes...

I will also say that as innocent as "playdo" seems, it will make your nice pretty pen mill shafts rather nasty, so if you use it, after you square up your blanks, clean it off of your mill shafts and wipe them down with acetone or something afterwards....

 

[johncrane]

I'm a plugger it's not hard.

 

[OLDMAN5050]

I use dental wax from my dentist. a box last for a long time. like this on Ebay:
Dental Pink Utility Wax | eBay

 

[Mike8850]

I use plumbers putty when I use epoxy.
Mike

 

[mjsix1]

I don't plug my tubes when I use medium CA to glue in the tube. However, I recently started making Celtic Knot blanks, and for the extra strenght, I use epoxy to glue in the tubes. I paint the inside of the blank (hoping the epoxy will get into any voids that may be at the center of the blank), plug the tube by pressing it into flattened play-doh (yeah, I have grandkids), paint the tube and then insert into the blank. Epoxy oozes everywhere, but the play-doh keeps it out of the blank. Once set, I use an exacto knife with a # 11 blade to remove the plugs and any epoxy around the edges.

 

[Charlie_W]

Arizona Silhoutte has the wax for 50 cents a sheet.

Base Plate Wax: Arizona Silhouette

 

[fitzman163]

I always use plumbers putty in one end of the tube. I push this end in first and after a min. or so I remove the putty with a dental tool. This cleans the glue from the tube as it is removed.

 

[Ted iin Michigan]

Depends, but I normally plug. I use epoxy rather than CA and because of that, it's harder to clear the excess out of the tube. So I got some modeling clay at a craft store. I roll it out to about 1/8"-3/16" thick and stick the ends of the tube in. Sometimes it needs a slight twist, normally not.

I find that the sooner I remove the plug, the better. I pry one out and then push the other end out with a dowel. If I push both I get epoxy on the inside, which defeats the purpose.

 

[walshjp17]

I use epoxy to glue in my tubes and I always use Play-Do (when I remember - d'oh!):wink:

 

[woodchuck1951]

Drill Bit

A 1/4" drill fits nicely in a 7mm tube for cleaning.

 

[Carl Fisher]

Dental wax here. Takes no time at all and knocks out cleanly. I'd rather that than the time to file/sand/pry/chip epoxy out of the inside of a tube for the occasional occurance.

 

[shastastan]

Thanks for all the suggestions. Since I use an insertion tool, it will be just one end that gets plugged. I like Charlie's suggestion since it looks fast and easy to me. I also like the idea of removing the plug with a dental tool. I have a few of those, courtesy of my dentist, which I have used in wood carving, but will also be useful to remove wax. Great advice from all of you. Most appreciated!!!

Arizona Silhoutte has the wax for 50 cents a sheet.

Base Plate Wax: Arizona Silhouette

 

[sbwertz]

I have the harbor freight 115 piece drill bit set. I pick out the bit that just fits the inside of a tube and spin it a couple of times with my fingers to clean out anything on the inside of the tube.

 

[shastastan]

I have the harbor freight 115 piece drill bit set. I pick out the bit that just fits the inside of a tube and spin it a couple of times with my fingers to clean out anything on the inside of the tube.

That sounds like any easy way to do it, Sharon. I glued a tube in today, using PSI pen CA glue. Not sure what the tube size is, but I used a 27/64th drill bit. It was in a set of brad point bits that I bought from Rockler. After gluing, I held the tube up to the light and there was nary a trace of glue inside the tube. Maybe I might have not been so lucky with a 7mm size with a longer tube though.