CA Temperatures and masks.

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gsdoby

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Dobson, NC, USA.
My Shop is getting cold this time of year. What kind of issues will this cause with CA finish. Also, Should I wear any kind of mask when doing the CA finish. I did a pen the other night and seemed a bit congested the next day. Any thoughts on this issue.
 
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The cold will actually prolong the life of the CA in the bottle, but, from past experience, it will talk a little longer to "cure". If you are using it in a cold shop, don't take it into a warm house, moisture will condense on the inside of the bottle and ruin the CA.
A dust mask will not help with the CA fumes, you will need a chemical filter respirator for that. Best thing I've found is to have a fan blowing the fumes away from you (not the best idea if it's cold) or a dust collector sucking the fumes away.
 
You could always go with the odorless CA. I'm not sure what the difference is, and I'm sure there are still fumes that are harmful, but at least the really nasty parts that make your eyes water are gone from the odorless stuff.
 
I learned just this year that CA does set a lot slower on cold and low humidity weather. The hard way too since it made my CA finishing totally different. Messed a few tries which cost me a few hours...and still having them last night.

I normally don't turn on winter and never really encountered this phenomena. Now I understand why others can (and love) using CA to glue their tubes. [8D] Most of the year it is hot and humid here in San Antonio...and CA sets super fast.

One method that I read works well is by using hot lamp. Others used hairdryer but that will blow dust all over so don't use it unless you have a full time DC running and there is no dust accumulation anywhere (which I doubt).

On the fumes, I also learned that CA fume is a lot worse in cold weather...not sure why. I like the idea of DC. If you don't have one, rig a box fan and put a filter (same as you use in your cental AC) on the suction side. Set it blowing away from your work and that will suck most of the dust and the fumes away from you.
 
Dario, Interesting observation. It explains what my problem has been of late with my CA finish. I live near Buffalo, NY. An it has bee a bit cool lately. I do run a Kerosene heater in the shop, but the temps usually stay around 50. I keep the heater a good distance from the lathe to prevent a problem withthe dust from the lathe. ( I do use a DC). Looks like I'll be relacing the old 60 watt with a spot light at the lathe.
 
I agree with the DC, I'm just starting to do the CA finish, but always run the DC.
Last year when I was still in Houston, everytime I used CA to glue up my tubes, if I did a bunch at once, which I tend to do., I always got a burning in my eyes from the fumes... I suspect the heat and humidity had a lot to do with that...
Now I use a fan to blow away from my glue up area and the DC on any time the lathe is running.
 
I have found that if I spray the accelerator on first and then apply
the CA I have very little odor. I have not tried this in the summer but when using CA as a finish when it is 30 to 40 deg in the shop it works very well.
Alan
 
In regards to your congestion I agree that it could be from the CA. I have had the same issues but instead of the next day I wake up in the middle of the night hardly able to breathe. It's happened twice but since the last time I have not used CA without the DC running the whole time and have not had an issue since. I can't say that they are related but my suspicions are that they are.
 
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