Pen Turning Question

tom_k/mo · Post by **tom_k/mo** » Mon Apr 12, 2010 2:27 pm

Anyone here use glues other than C/A to glue their tubes in? I've been contemplating trying Gorilla Glue, have heard some good things about it, but was interested if anyone else was using it (or anything else) and what their preferences were.

cml · Post by **cml** » Mon Apr 12, 2010 2:45 pm

I use 15 minute clear epoxy, it seems to give me more shear strength when I'm using the barrel trimmer so the tube doesn't either come loose from the blank or spin inside the blank on the mandrel when turning. CA glue seems to break loose pretty often (for me.)

moose · Post by **moose** » Mon Apr 12, 2010 2:48 pm

Tom, since I'm never in a hurry to spontaneously start turning after gluing and usually glue up a handful at once, I have found that Gorilla glue gives me more time to place the tube without the usual CA grabbing. Gorilla glue likes a wee bit of moisture in the hole and a Q-tip seems to work fine. If you put too much in, expect a bit of foaming on both ends but that is no problem as it is cut off anyway during squaring or turning. Buy a small bottle and give it a try. GG is a very acceptable alternative.

Ashbury

mikelst · Post by **mikelst** » Mon Apr 12, 2010 3:09 pm

I have also used the 15min clear epoxy. I got mine from PSI when I bought the starter kit and agree that it is better than CA for holding the tube in place during turning.

tom_k/mo · Post by **tom_k/mo** » Mon Apr 12, 2010 3:22 pm

ashbury wrote:Tom, since I'm never in a hurry to spontaneously start turning after gluing and usually glue up a handful at once, I have found that Gorilla glue gives me more time to place the tube without the usual CA grabbing. Gorilla glue likes a wee bit of moisture in the hole and a Q-tip seems to work fine. If you put too much in, expect a bit of foaming on both ends but that is no problem as it is cut off anyway during squaring or turning. Buy a small bottle and give it a try. GG is a very acceptable alternative.

Ashbury

I've read where the GG likes moisture to make it swell/foam. So I take it you're putting the glue on the tubes and wetting the holes? The foaming/swelling was of interest to me, as it seemed it would virtually eliminate any chance of voids in the joints.

Tom.

rikbrooks · Post by **rikbrooks** » Mon Apr 12, 2010 5:12 pm

tom_k/mo wrote:I've read where the GG likes moisture to make it swell/foam. So I take it you're putting the glue on the tubes and wetting the holes? The foaming/swelling was of interest to me, as it seemed it would virtually eliminate any chance of voids in the joints.

Tom.

I prefer Gorilla Glue. I used to use thick CA but you are right about filling in the voids - I found that I need to let them dry a lot longer though. I let mine dry overnight and never have a problem.

Of course I usually turn deer antlers for blanks and those are very porous and makes a difference.

wlhayesmfs · Post by **wlhayesmfs** » Mon Apr 12, 2010 5:16 pm

I am with everyone else on the GG except for acrylics That is all I am using know for wood product and deer antler. Like how is seems to fill and have not had any concerns with my sleeves either.

drl · Post by **drl** » Mon Apr 12, 2010 9:19 pm

I have been using a 5 minute epoxy for both gluing the tubes and also for gluing in contrasting pieces of wood across the pen blank. I have not had any problems even turning the blanks after a half hour or so. But I did come up with a situation that surprised me and will reconsider letting the epoxy cure for a longer period of time. I was praticing on a modified celtic knot that had diagonal cuts through the whole blank. I did not have a pen tube in the center as this was just a trial run. After turning the piece I was sanding it down going through the grits as usual. The finer grits seem to generate more heat and I had two 45 degree joints begin to slowly slide together and out of alignment. I would guess the epoxy heated up and lost its grip. Just food for thought.
Regards,
Dwight

allsas · Post by **allsas** » Tue Apr 13, 2010 3:24 am

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I used TiteBond III used ( http://www.shopsmith.net/forums/showpos ... ostcount=1 ) to avoid the cleanup problem associated w/both GG (urethane) and CA. I can say that it worked but can't compare it to the other glues.
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kalynzoo · Post by **kalynzoo** » Tue Apr 13, 2010 12:42 pm

Really enjoy this web-site. Always friendly and informative. I've been doing pens with CA thin, but I really don't like the ultra-fast setting time. Lazy person that I am I use the Crazy Glue in the unit of use containers. Can glue up about 5 blanks with a unit. I will now switch to GG since I usually don't get to the blanks till the next day anyway.
Again, thanks all.