Hi

It’s back to me this week. Thanks to Mel for providing some great information over the last two weeks and keeping the Newsletter going. She thanks everyone who sent in fan mail, although we won’t be sending her on an all-expenses paid Caribbean holiday as one person suggested. Even I don’t get that!!
Now… it’s question time!

Three questions this week, but all with a common topic; Cyanoacrylate Superglues. You know, that stuff that sticks your fingers together when you’re not looking!

A question this week asked if we were aware of the effect of using the glue on certain substrates. It is something we knew about, but it bears repeating in case it’s not something you know about.
These glues are, of course, chemical based, and if used on a material that is man-made it can have a different reaction to the one expected. In this case it was a foam dust filter, which created a lot of heat and unpleasant fumes. A reaction like this is quite extreme, but not totally unheard of. So the rule of thumb here is, if using the glues on something you haven’t previously used them on, and particularly if it’s not a natural product, tread carefully to make sure there isn’t an unexpected reaction.
The glues are almost universal, and I don’t know of any timbers that will create something like this, but be cautious with other substrates.

Another common question relates to the best way to store Superglues. There’s a common theory that they are best stored in the fridge, but we’ve never subscribed to this. CA glues are moisture-curing – they use moisture from the air which causes them to cure. A fridge can cause condensation in the bottle, which will react with – and spoil – the glue inside.
I’m grateful to Roger P for sending me the following, and to Scott and Nancy at Easy Inlay for allowing me to share their method of storing these glues.
Store them in a large airtight container (they use a coffee can, but anything airtight and big enough would work), and throw a few desiccant packs in. That’s the little packets you get with moisture sensitive items that help keep them rust free in storage – they’re normally marked ‘Silica Gel – do not eat’.
I’d guess that the granules used in non-electric dehumidifiers would do the same job if you’ve thrown away all of your desiccant packs!
(There are lots of other uses for desiccant packs. Who knew?)

And finally this week, some info about our Accelerator for Superglue. We’re often asked about how to prevent this from turning the glue white. The short answer is to be sure to use it sparingly. The active ingredient in the spray is tertiary amine which acts as a setting agent to hasten the curing time. Too much of it will make the drying time too fast, which causes the white effect. it’s also worth noting that too much accelerator can weaken the bond as well, so that’s another good reason not to be heavy-handed with it!
Accelerators are also useful if the surfaces to be bonded are totally dry (or if you’re somehow in the middle of the sahara needing to glue something together). The absence of moisture will prevent the glues from working.

I’ve enjoyed my foray into the world of Superglues, and found out a few snippets that I didn’t know; I hope you’ve found it similarly helpful.
I’m out and about next week, visiting the Silverfox Turners in Wellingborough, so I just might see you there.
Either way, I’ll be back next week with more of the questions you didn’t know you wanted to ask!

Cheers

Terry