Alternative

[Mr. Don]

Is there a cheaper and still effective substitute for the accelerator (not aerosol) used with C.A. glue?? I go thru a lot, and find the 2 oz. spray bottles at $3 to $4, and the 8 oz. bottles at $10 up are spendy at best. Acetone maybe???? Or??? Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[Larry Marley]

I think there is a tread on this...
I am using fingernail polish remover with good results

 

[RonW]

Is it really that expensive considering how little is used each time. The cost per use is low unless you are using large amounts at a time. I guess I am into easy and convienance.

RonW

 

[rbabbittjr]

I have heard of folks using acetone as an accelerator but I use it as a solvent. So I find myself confused as to how it can be used for both. I have also heard of using water as the accelerator. The cheapest option is to sit back and let it set on its own.

 

[Brian Hahn]

previous thread link

There was a thread on this a couple of months ago. The thread is here http://www.woodturner.org/vbforum/showthread.php?t=1942

 

[MichaelMouse]

Is there a cheaper and still effective substitute for the accelerator (not aerosol) used with C.A. glue??

Time.

Acetone, as noted, is a solvent for the CA, though not a thinner. What it does seems irreversable, which suggests a chemical reaction. I believe the thread referenced mentions the use of a mild base like baking soda in water solution. CA doesn't cure rapidly on acid woods, so a spritz of accelerant or a wipe with soda in advance might be a good idea.

Personally, I pay for the convenience and let the customer reimburse me. Keeps the stuff from crawling uncured from a crack and flinging on my forearm.

 

[Andy Coates]

Ca

I asked about this only recently and a very long thread resulted with some interesting posts in it...a search for CA should find it...

 

[smoky10]

You might want to try the link below. Monty runs a bulk buy of Ca glue and accelerator in almost any size you might want. I'm just a happy customer.

http://woodenwonderstx.com/CA_Glue_Page.html

 

[Bill Boehme]

I have found that human skin is the best accelerator to be found anywhere.🙁

Unfortunately, the money saved in accelerator is more than made up for in buying large quantities of debonder😀.

Bill

 

[Mark Mandell]

Bill,

You can save on that debonder if you've got a drag strip nearby. A little nitro does the trick.

M

ps: The would be nitro-METHANE, by the way.

 

[Bill Boehme]

Keeps the stuff from crawling uncured from a crack and flinging on my forearm.

Nothing worse than the "spider web" effect that happens when not-quite-cured thick CA forms a rapidly expanding cloud around the spinning piece of wood. It usually solidifies the instant before you realize what has happened and have already instinctively wiped your face shield, arms, and shirt to insure a good bond to each of the aforementioned items.

Bill

 

[Don O. Jr.]

CA Accelerator

There is a very good article in the current Woodturning Design magazine about CA glues. Very well written by an expert in the field.
Hope this helps.