CA Glue Application Lathe

[ThePenWizard]

I have had several issues trying to apply CA glue on my finished pen tubes, do to the glue setting up to fast. Or the tube turns to fast on the lathe and heating up the CA glue and causing spikes or smokes the paper towel. I found the Scotts work shop towel to work the best to prevent fast smoking of the CA glue on the towel. I also found a quick test to see if your paper towel works well with CA glue. After you fold your towel place several drops of CA on the towel and see if starts to smoke, if it does, watch out, very cheap towels will start to smoke immediately which causes the CA glue to apply poorly on your pen. Even if you use a good towel, plastic bag, or what ever works for you, I still had issues with the lathe turning to fast (250rpm) and setting the glue. I wanted something that I could apply CA glue or 2 part clear epoxy on my tubes. I had this old grill rotisserie in my garage that I never used and almost pitched out for it was just taking up space. I mounted it to a piece of oak as you can see in the picture. Where the rod sits on the bracket. I used a grinder to cut a groove around the rod so the rod will sit down and turn in the bracket. I then took teflon plumbers tape and wrapped it around the rod so I can slide my tube over the tape to hold the tube in place. Now the RPM of the rotisserie is about 8 RPM's and this works for me. The CA glue goes on well and I can watch it if I need to smooth something out before it sets.

As for using 2 part clear epoxy I use a small paint brush and apply the epoxy to the tube and let it turn for about 4 hours. This allows the epoxy to self level which leaves no sags. After I finish applying all the CA or 2PE I then slip the tub off the tape, sand and polish the tube on the lathe.

 

[ttpenman]

Neat idea. I thought about doing the same thing using the dipping lacquer you can buy. Always though about a slow turning shaft to prevent drips. Might have to give it a try.

Jeff in northern Wisconsin

 

[snyiper]

Hmm seems like a good idea

 

[PTownSubbie]

If you use rigid packing foam from a place like JoAnn Fabrics, you don't have to worry about CA reactions as CA doesn't react with this material.

Can't find it right now but there was a thread that talked about it.

 

[PenMan1]

If you use rigid packing foam from a place like JoAnn Fabrics, you don't have to worry about CA reactions as CA doesn't react with this material.

Can't find it right now but there was a thread that talked about it.

The foam that goes under Pergo and other "floating floor" systems works well also. You can buy a pick-up truck load of it at BORG for about $25......OR, you can stop by the local flooring store and they'll likely give you all of their scraps.

 

[PenMan1]

Joe:
I have been considering making something like this for some time now. I am going to make a setup similar to yours, except I will tap and thread the octagonal rod to accept a standard "A" mandrel. This looks like a great idea!