How can I extend (not shorten) the set time for CA? I am using it to repair cracks in cross-sawn cherry and to stabilize the un-cracked portions as well.
It occurs to me that if I could get it to stay liquid longer, I'd get better penetration and that could be (as my friend Martha used to say) "a good thing".
Bill
To get better penetration, use a thinner CA--they come in different consistencies.
You should read what Russ Fairfield has to say about CA:
I read what Russ has to say and I agree that CA has no place in segmented / larger turnings. However, even Russ agrees that it is suitable for hardening spalted / soft woods and that is my current concern.
I am already using thin CA straight from the bottle. I was / am hoping someone knows how to thin it without losing too much strength so that I might have a reasonable assurance that its hardening properties extend all the way down to the brass tube of a pen. I have plenty of accelerator, perhaps someone knows of a retardant?
Bill
Hi Bill
I have an article on stabilizing pen blanks and could send it to you if you can send me your e-mail address. Yes I forget where I got it, so I cannot tell you where to look for it.
Have fun and take care Leo Van Der Loo
An> I am already using thin CA straight from the bottle. I was / am hoping
You're sort of fighting nature here. Wood is made to move water along the grain, not across it. The stomata which allow movement across the grain are small, and have a tendency to close with loss of cytoplasm. You'd stand a better chance of getting what you want by feeding fluid into the end grain of the pen. Might even use heat or a vacuum to help.
As to slowing the cure, acid woods like oak and cherry do it, and the accelerant supplies OH(-) ions, as does the moisture that cures it. So get something to provide an excess of H(+) and see what happens.
When I want CA glue to penetrate, I do one of two things. I will prime the crack with thin glue, and then chase that with a bead of the thicker glue. The thin glue wicks the thicker stuff down into the crack, and the thick glue sets up slower. The other thing I do is to mix some of the thick and thin together. The mix penetrates well, but must sit level for a while so it can soak in. It also may take a couple of applications before the crack is full. Top off with fine saw dust. robo hippy
George wrote:
accelerator,
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