Shopsmith Forums

Watched a couple videos on finishing a turning with c/a glue , I looked at the hobby store in the area and couldn't find the stuff, any one used this?,, is it worth the hype? does it last as long as varnish? and if so where did you find it ?

Thanks

The other name is Super Glue.

Seems like they had a bottle with a accelerator ?

I heard one mention supper glue .

I thought another one had a bottle with a accelerator , couldn't find it here.

Reason I am asking , Getting ready to make a coffee container out of walnut or beach or both , want a food grade finish inside, supper glue tubes would be quite pricey.

I should be in Columbus in a week or so maybe I can stop by wood craft or woodworks

Thanks

It's a great finish. Watch for the fumes, and don't burn your fingers. The paper towels can get very hot! You can get the glue in larger packages from Woodcraft, but I order mine from Vince Welch at vinceswoodenwonders.com. While you are at it, get a starter kit of 2" Blue Flex sanding discs. I finish my CA pieces with a go thru of the grits of Micro-Mesh. No turning shop should be without it!
Caution- avoid the accelerator. It tends to cause more problems than it is worth on finishes. Can really fog up a piece and then you have to sand it all off and start over. Just wait about 90 seconds between coats. I use the thin CA, but some use medium. That takes a bit longer to dry. Practice on a pen- you will feel less angry if you mess it up!

sounds like good advise

Thanks

@Hobbyman2,

The question of is it up to the hype... Yes, it can produce a very shiny finish which might lead to the question of what kind of finish do you want. I would agree with Chris to try it out on some pens and maybe a small test project first to get the technique down as well as to figure out if that is the look you want.

Yes, you can get C/A at Woodcraft or similar if the store is convenient or online (Amazon) in the 2 oz size. I'd recommend thin and medium, the former for turning finishing the latter for gluing pen barrels or other gluing type tasks, thick if you think you might need to fill gaps. You might want the accelerator for actual gluing tasks rather than finishing.

Be careful of the fumes from the C/A and/or the accelerator. Some people, such as me, don't handle one or both very well, tearing up, nose and throat discomfort, etc. I often have to go outside if the C/A is in a place where it can release mass fumes, such as on a turning project or hardening some MDF rather than gluing two pieces together. I don't have/use accelerator as it is far worse for me.

I've tried it on a couple pens, but due to the aforementioned sensitivity to the fumes I will generally avoid it. If I have a future project where I want that shiny almost plasticy look I may give it another go with a fan at my back and the work area doors open. Still, great to have the bottles around for other tasks.

Roy

I personally am not a fan of CA finishes, but each to their own. I too find the fumes to be something I don't care for. I also don't like the smell of plastic resins they make for pens but I like that better then the CA glue.

If you want to give it a try turn something part way then try the finish, sure you will have to remove it to finish the turning but that way you can get several turns of practice before you get the the point where you want the final finished project.

Wear gloves, the blue nitrate ones are what I use. I also like the blue paper towels for this purpose, and don't linger, wipe and your done for that coat.

Ed

Hobbyman mentioned he wants a food grade finish for a "coffee container".
If the coffee is dry grounds or beans, Super Glue might be OK. But, to be on the safe side, I'd use Behlens Salad Bowl finish. Hopefully, one of the woodworking stores in Columbus has a can in stock.

Now that I think of it the old coffee grinders boxes were left as raw wood. And storage containers should be perhaps glass to retain the flavor etc. Not sure even sealed wood would work that well..........

Ed

The only wood thing we keep edibles in is a maple candy dish. Mostly M&Ms. And, they don't last long enough to worry about.
Depending on the type of grind, coffee can be oily. Sure wouldn't want it in an unfinished box. I've had good luck with Behlens. But, only on candy dishes. They claim it can be used for salads and such. Although, any poly is food safe when it's fully cured.