spongy CA

[bensoelberg]

I've been having a little trouble with thick CA. It's taking forever to dry and feels a little spongy even when it is dry. My garage is probably between 50-60 degrees, the weather has been a little rainy lately, (keep in mind that I live in Bakersfield, CA, so rainy here is different from just about everywhere else.) I don't have accelerator, but now beleive I'll be getting some with my next glue order. Any thoughts about what could be causing the odd texture or the delayed drying time?

 

[PenMan1]

My glue starts to do that when it starts to get old. For some reason, my thick CA seems to go bad quicker than the others.

Colder temps also seem to effect thick CA more than the med or thin, too.

 

[IPD_Mrs]

Temperature is a big part of it and the age of the CA could also be a factor depending on how old. Definitely would try accelerator.

 

[bensoelberg]

I'm sure that the age of the glue is not the problem, I just bought it from Monty about a month ago. I think the accelerator would help a ton. I need to finish 6 more pens before Wednesday so I don't have time to order any. I do not have a Rockler/Woodcraft/etc type store anywhere near me, is there some other place that would likely sell accelerator that I'm not thinking of? Michaels? Nail salon?

 

[IPD_Mrs]

Do you smoke? Cigar or cigarette smoke works as an accelerator. That was an old Eagle trick.

 

[bensoelberg]

I don't think I've ever replied to that question with "unfortunately not" before. :biggrin: Any other alternatives? I use blue shop paper towels as my applicator, BTW. I've never used BLO in my finish before, and am a little nervous about trying it half way through an order, but I will if you think it would help.

 

[G1Pens]

Often you can find accelerator at hobby shops....places that sell model cars, R/C airplanes, etc. Hobby Town is a big chain here. Not sure what you would have out your way.

 

[ctubbs]

+1 on the hobby shops that sell cars/trucks or RC airplanes. They use accelerator all the time.
Charles

 

[THarvey]

I don't think I've ever replied to that question with "unfortunately not" before. :biggrin: Any other alternatives? I use blue shop paper towels as my applicator, BTW. I've never used BLO in my finish before, and am a little nervous about trying it half way through an order, but I will if you think it would help.

Acetone will work as an accelerator. I have never applied it after glue. I have wiped down a blank before applying glue.

Try it on a scrap piece first. With your humidity the CA may turn cloudy with acetone.

 

[bensoelberg]

Often you can find accelerator at hobby shops....places that sell model cars, R/C airplanes, etc. Hobby Town is a big chain here. Not sure what you would have out your way.

I found a hobby shop in town and they had some. I took it home and now cannot understand how I lived without it. Thanks for all the input.

 

[Dalecamino]

You might switch to medium CA. I have no problems with it.

 

[robutacion]

I don't live in could places as some of you guys and gals do but, in my opinion and way of thinking, keeping the CA bottle in a container of warm water when/while you are applying CA would certainly be an advantage as the CA temp would hold right to the application point and then, to maintain/keep the CA at warmer temp while turning in the lathe, you either use a heat gun/hair dryer to give it a "hit" for a few seconds in between costs or, make life a little easier to yourself and get one of the small heaters with a fan and put it about 1 meter or 2, from the barrel you are turning.

These are great to warm an area and endup warming up a full room if let on long enough, they are a little heavy on power tough, the 1.500W can be not a financially effective way to warm up a room but certainly very effective for the purpose of creating a warmer environment around the lathe...!

Accelerator is also a must, I use it even in my hot(ish) to hot temps, not only hardens the CA in between coats but harden the CA very quickly for a light sand in between group coats...!:wink::biggrin:

Good luck!

Cheers
George