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What's in CA accelerator?

TJ Hamilton

TJ Hamilton

Joined
Jul 27, 2007
Messages
61
Likes
2
Location
Douglasville, GA
Greetings to one and all:

My bottle of CA accelerator is nearly empty and the local Depot/Lowe's don't stock it. Rockler and Woodcraft are an hour away. Short of an order to Craftsupply etc, is there a homemade concoction what will serve as well?

Thanks and Merry Christmas to all,

Tom, in Georgia, heading to the shop to cut some Cypress blanks.
 
Is there a hobby/model shop anywhere near you? They generally carry accelerator.
 
I tried misting with water and misting with baking soda and water. I don't think either one worked much better than just letting it sit. I read those tips on the web but they didn't work for me. At least not fast like the accelerator.
 
Variable. Most MSDSs I've seen show a flash solvent like acetone as the base, though I've seen some toluene, heptane and alcohol.

I wouldn't do the baking soda again, all flash and white residue. The glue will cure eventually even on acid woods, so for now, patience.
 
From my CA glue adventures today - I'm pretty sure it's just a bottle of oil/moisture off of fingers.. ...😎
 
P.S. I think the active goo in CA accelerator is toluidine. Some pretty nasty stuff.... one of these days I'm going to try ammonia.... it's supposed to work well.
 
CA Glue

My research has turned up alcohol, acetone, and heptane. What I read is that the accelerator should not be used with thin CA. There is also the possibility of the accelerator shocking the CA into a brittle joint. The recommendations are don't use more than you have to, and only on medium or thick. Water moisture is what causes the CA to cure, so you might try a light mist of water and a little heat.
 
Thanks to one and all. AlanZ you are right on point. I've haven't darkened the door of a hobby shop in years, but we have one here and they had accelerator!

Now I have some. Heptane is the main ingredient.

Thanks for all the comments,

Merry Christmas, Tom, in Georgia, where it is beginning to rain on Christmas Eve.
 
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