• Recent Articles

  • Hottest Threads

    Edward Weber

    Are your tools dangerous?

    Thread Starter: Edward Weber

    Do you consider tools as dangerous? https://www.popularmechanics.com/home/tools/how-to/g2394/10-workshop-tools-that-can-kill-you/ I came accross this article and it struck me, that I don't consider my tools as dangerous or not. To me it's just a tool. Sure, some tools can cause greater injury...

    Last Post By: Ron Citerone Yesterday, 8:32 PM Go to last post
    Josh Baldwin

    Best Shaper Under $5000?

    Thread Starter: Josh Baldwin

    Hey everyone I have a nice router table, but I've been thinking of upgrading to a shaper. I'm thinking 5hp would be ideal, but I'm not sure what other features exactly I should be looking for. There are 3 that seem like a good fit and I'm hoping to get some feedback based on their specs and/or...

    Last Post By: Patrick Kane Today, 10:37 AM Go to last post
    Connie Freitas

    Router Bit won’t budge.

    Thread Starter: Connie Freitas

    How do I get this router bit out of here? Tug as might, it won’t come out. I tried some WD40 recently but it didn’t help at all. I’ve since read that I’m not supposed to use a lubricant of any kind. So, what do I do please?

    Last Post By: Jimmy Harris Yesterday, 11:21 AM Go to last post
    Kevin Jenness

    Notre Dame roof reconstruction

    Thread Starter: Kevin Jenness

    My son Miles is in Normandy until August working on a crew fabricating trusses and other elements for the nave and choir of the cathedral. He is one of a half dozen American timber framers working on the project, which is being undertaken by two French companies https://www.remy-desmonts.com/ and...

    Last Post By: Kevin Jenness Today, 9:18 AM Go to last post
    Roger Feeley

    Safe storage for a 22ga rifle

    Thread Starter: Roger Feeley

    I just read that Virginia requires safe storage. I have my dads 22ga rifle that he had when he was a kid. I don’t know exactly when he got it but it’s pretty old. He was born in 1908. the gun breaks down into two pieces and is stored in some sort of long sock that’s supposed to prevent rust....

    Last Post By: Bill George Today, 10:28 AM Go to last post
    Zachary Hoyt

    My new bandsaw, I hope...

    Thread Starter: Zachary Hoyt

    I had the high bid tonight on this Rockwell/Delta 28-350. I've been looking for and bidding on these for the last few years, and I was the back bidder a few times, but this one went for a very good price. My reserve bid was $600. It's possible that there's something terribly wrong with it, but...

    Last Post By: Maurice Mcmurry Today, 9:08 AM Go to last post
  • Using CA Glue in Woodturning

    There have been some recent threads on CA glue on the Turners forum. The following is an article I did for my turning club website on CA glue after doing some research......

    CA Glue The Woodturners Friend.....

    By Wally Dickerman

    Cyanoacrylate Glue, commonly called CA glue is used by woodturners for a variety of reasons. To attach glue blocks, to fill voids and cracks, to attach collars to hollowforms, to firm up bark on natural edge bowls, as a durable finish for pens, bowls, bottle stoppers and more.

    CA glue works well to bond wet wood. Yellow and white glues do not. For that reason CA is almost universally used to attach glue blocks to bowl blanks.

    Not all CA glues are equal. I stick with the glue brands that are sold in woodworking stores rather than those sold in craft stores. CA comes in several forms. Thin, medium and thick. It comes in black and in flexible.

    According to one manufacturer, unopened CA has about a one year shelf life at room temperatures. If stored in a freezer that shelf life is doubled. I've found that opened CA has a life of 5 or 6 months. I live in a dry climate. In a very humid climate it might be less. When I buy CA I put the date on it and put it in the freezer. When I open a container I put that date on it. After about six months I toss it. I want CA to be at it's full strength when I use it.

    Shelf life of Opened CA stored at temperatures higher than 80 will be shorter.

    Do not store opened CA in a refrigerator or freezer. Moisture in the air will shorten it's life.

    Always wear glasses when using CA. The moisture in our eyes causes instant bonding.

    When filling large cracks or voids it's best to apply CA in layers using an accelerator between layers. The CA has a better chance to cure.

    The fumes from CA glue are potentially harmful to your health so it's a good idea to use it in a well ventilated area.

    Cotton and CA used together causes a chemical reaction creating heat and toxic smoke, so don't use cotton cloth or swabs to apply CA.

    CA does not adhere to glass.

    As opened CA ages, it sometimes thickens. Thin CA can be added to medium and thick CA.

    When I open a new CA container I toss the cap. I find that I get fewer plugged spouts and it doesn't seem to affect the life of the glue. Acetone is a debonder. I keep a small glass jar handy and when I get a plugged spout I put it in the jar. After I've collected a few I cover the spouts with acetone. In 24 hours the spouts are all clean. I keep some on hand to replace clogged spouts. Debonders are available and I keep a bottle on hand. When using CA I seem to usually get some on my fingers. The debonder helps to remove it.

    When using CA to fill voids and cracks it tends to stain the area around the crack, especially when using thin glue. In order to eliminate that probability, I apply some brushing lacquer to the area. It seals the wood, avoiding stain.

    Moisture is an accelerator so when CA is used on wet wood it will set up faster. I find that using the accelerator sold in spray cans is the most convenient to use.
    Comments 6 Comments
    1. max taylor's Avatar
      max taylor -
      I also coat my hands with paste wax, and when thru w`ipe it off. no sticky fingers. Max
    1. alan miller's Avatar
      alan miller -
      Wow,great article Wally.I learned a bunch.Thanks
    1. Pat Foy's Avatar
      Pat Foy -
      Best summary of CA characteristics I've read. Thanks.
      Pat
    1. Bob Bollard's Avatar
      Bob Bollard -
      The fumes are bothersome. Is it safe to use a dust extractor to suck the fumes away? Or would the fumes just be more widely dispersed thru the shop, since the filters are inside the shop?
    1. carey mitchell's Avatar
      carey mitchell -
      Quote Originally Posted by Bob Bollard View Post
      The fumes are bothersome. Is it safe to use a dust extractor to suck the fumes away? Or would the fumes just be more widely dispersed thru the shop, since the filters are inside the shop?


      Inhalation of significant amounts of the fumes can result in major irritation of the airways, which can persist for several days. Hoarseness and coughing can be painful.

      Don't ask me how I know. Mine came from using it as a finish on a small bowl, even with the shop door open I got a strong dose in a few seconds - on the way out! Remember the basic premise of toxicology - the dose makes the poison (believe it was Paraclesus (sp?) who figured that out about 1500 years ago).
    1. Amy Gilron's Avatar
      Amy Gilron -
      Recently, my glasses frame sheared off at the ear piece when I was traveling. I fixed it using CA glue mixed with baking soda. It created a rock hard substance that kept for 6 weeks until I got home and could replace the glasses.