CA Question

Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad

Kragax

Member
Joined
Jan 17, 2015
Messages
280
Location
western new york
Have any of you heard of any complications, allergies, etc. from CA fumes? I was just curious. I think I need to be more diligent in using my respirator. Thoughts?
 
Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad
Lots of folks have sensitivities and some have allergic responses.
I am sensitive to its fumes but I leave my dust collector on when doing CA and it pulls the fumes away. If I am doing a lot I will also turn a fan on that blows over my shoulder to keep the fumes away and I have no more problems!
 
That has been a subject of many threads on this forum. Recommend you do a search for more insight than I can give. The answer is YES!! Several members here no longer use CA because of their sensitivity to it. When using your respirator, make sure to use the correct filter (one designed for fumes vice particulates).
 
I run into problems with the fumes when using it for finishing or some repairs. Don't have a problem with gluing Tubes. It also depends on the wood, some are worse that others, I think it has to do with the oil in the wood and the reaction of the CA to the oils.
 
I'm with Turtle Tom...CA is UGLY stuff! I too have a 20" box fan blowing any/all fumes out the garage door when using it (seldom!!!) but also know that a regular respirator will NOT protect you from the dangerous CA fumes!!! DON'T RELY on these cheap respirators, you HAVE to have specifically designed respirator to protect you from them... CA fumes are dangerous!!! I would suggest you check out OTHER finishes to use in non/poor venitlated areas especially in winter when we normally close up our shops from the outside environment... Your lung replacements are MUCH more expensive and more painful than cleaner air!!! SAFE and less espensive turning to you!



e
 
What finish do you folks use instead of CA? I really like the CA look but this winter the hazard may not be worth the effect. I have used friction polish but it didn't give me that really shiny finish I like. I went to the library and read the MSDS for CA, so now I am looking for serious alternatives.
 
Well, I have decided that I got a reaction to the CA fumes. I thought I had a sinus infection or was getting the flu. I have since built a home made extraction system and I have a NIOSH P95 respirator, I will try it again and see what luck I have but I'm very aware
now and if I have to Ill give up CA, It was several days of misery. Thank you all for your advice and suggestions. Im also going to try alternative finishes. But right now Im waiting for some wood to arrive.
 
Well, I have decided that I got a reaction to the CA fumes. I thought I had a sinus infection or was getting the flu. I have since built a home made extraction system and I have a NIOSH P95 respirator, I will try it again and see what luck I have but I'm very aware
now and if I have to Ill give up CA, It was several days of misery. Thank you all for your advice and suggestions. Im also going to try alternative finishes. But right now Im waiting for some wood to arrive.

When I started turning I had the same problem the first time I used CA, flu-like symptoms that lasted a day or two. My shop has poor ventilation. I took a 1 gallon milk jug and attached it to my shop vac as a dust collector and that was enough to pull the ca fumes away from me and solved the problem. It also worked great for collection sanding dust. Now , years later, I have a proper DC and air filtration along with a proper mask.
 
What finish do you folks use instead of CA? I really like the CA look but this winter the hazard may not be worth the effect. I have used friction polish but it didn't give me that really shiny finish I like. I went to the library and read the MSDS for CA, so now I am looking for serious alternatives.

Some one posted that they use Triple-Thick Crystal Clear Glaze

http://www.krylon.com/products/triplethick-crystal-clear-glaze/

but its not going to give you that 5 minute and you are done finish like CA.

But what about lacquer, poly, etc. finishes that have been around for ever.

I wear a Harbor Freight face shield and respirator. Of course you need the face mask but I like the respirator for a few reasons. While I may not be really need it I just feel better physically wearing it for the small amount of dust, it works great for CA and the face shield mostly keeps the fumes out of my face, but here is a side benefit. If directs my breath down which keeps the face shield from fogging up.

Adjustable Face Shield its on sale

P95 Maintenance-Free Dual Cartridge Respirator - Large

I'll even use this just to direct my breath down,

PARTICULATE RESPIRATOR WITH VALVE
 
Last edited:
They do make odorless CA. May want to look into that.

Lacquer is an underrated finish. Remember we are talking wood pens and not acrylic when using polys and or lacquers. Add any kind of acrylic accents you may have a problem of flaking.
 
When I started turning I had the same problem the first time I used CA, flu-like symptoms that lasted a day or two. My shop has poor ventilation. I took a 1 gallon milk jug and attached it to my shop vac as a dust collector and that was enough to pull the ca fumes away from me and solved the problem. It also worked great for collection sanding dust. Now , years later, I have a proper DC and air filtration along with a proper mask.

Yup, That's what I built
 
Some one posted that they use Triple-Thick Crystal Clear Glaze

Triple-Thick Crystal Clear Glaze - | Krylon

but its not going to give you that 5 minute and you are done finish like CA.

1. The link doesn't seem to work, but thanks I'll look into it.

2. Can you polish it like CA with micro mesh?

1. Yea it works for me but when i first posted it it said error. Website probably doesn't like a direct link.

2, I'd ask here. http://www.penturners.org/forum/f28/wood-pen-133970/index2.html#post1791936
 
CA Finishing

Good Day..I would like to ask a different question about CA glue.
I was told to use white petroleum jelly so that my bushings & mandrel will not stick. Does this not present a problem with contamination concerning the Vaseline & the wood? Is it all right to get this stuff on the wood blank? Won't it ruin your work? Puzzled &long winded..Ric.
 
Good Day..I would like to ask a different question about CA glue.
I was told to use white petroleum jelly so that my bushings & mandrel will not stick. Does this not present a problem with contamination concerning the Vaseline & the wood? Is it all right to get this stuff on the wood blank? Won't it ruin your work? Puzzled &long winded..Ric.

Never heard of using Vaseline just wax like car or wood wax.
 
Richard; Like Cliff, I just use wax on the bushings AND mandrel. But I have a set or two of delrin cone shaped guides I use for CA. Just toss them into a jar of acetone if they get too much CA on them. I keep short pieces of wire to string anything i want to clean CA from and another wire with a hook on the end to fish them out.
 
Good Day..I would like to ask a different question about CA glue.
I was told to use white petroleum jelly so that my bushings & mandrel will not stick. Does this not present a problem with contamination concerning the Vaseline & the wood? Is it all right to get this stuff on the wood blank? Won't it ruin your work? Puzzled &long winded..Ric.

Yes, this WILL absorb into your wood ... probably not a good idea. Use wax of some sort (candle wax would be sufficient, for lubrication).
 
Well, I tried out my respirator with my home made fume extractor yesterday. Seemed to work fine. I will now be very aware, and will try to limit my CA exposure. Thanks to all for your help and advice.
 
I went to the odorless CA several years ago and have had no problems since. Before that I always thought I was getting a cold the next day.

At work I carry a bare wood pen since the solvents craze the CA pens and the pen actually still looks good.

Imagine, a wooden pen.
 
Back
Top Bottom