CA glue bottles

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how do you keep your CA glue bottle nozzles clean and from plugging up the tip? :-)
I've tried using a sewing needle in the tip but after awhile they still get clogged with dry glue.

thanks
 
I don't. Part of the reason I buy the Bob Smith glue is because replacement nozzles and fine tips are cheap and available so when they're clogged or broken to the point I don't want to screw with them I just replace it.
 
That's the best tip I've received all year....didn't know just the tips were available
kuraki said:
I don't. Part of the reason I buy the Bob Smith glue is because replacement nozzles and fine tips are cheap and available so when they're clogged or broken to the point I don't want to screw with them I just replace it.
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I use the Locktite brand ones with the fancy squeeze bottle and cap. I get about one use out of the good old tube style super glue with the pin cap.

I also go with the gel as it goes on way cleaner and can deal with the slightly longer time to set.
 
i had the same problem. i use the zap a gap ca glue. i point the nozzle straight up at the ceiling, and give a sharp rapid short squeeze. the pressure blasts the drop in the nozzle out, like when you blow your nose. wipe the tip off so there is no glue on it and it is ready to go the next time.
 
I usualy get frustrated using CA, I don't use it a lot and it hardens up in the container.
I moved to chap 1gram tubes so I don't lose to much
 
john april said:
i had the same problem. i use the zap a gap ca glue. i point the nozzle straight up at the ceiling, and give a sharp rapid short squeeze. the pressure blasts the drop in the nozzle out, like when you blow your nose. wipe the tip off so there is no glue on it and it is ready to go the next time.
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Ah, the snot rocket technique.

Gonna give it a try.
 
Couple things I have learned from a guy who uses ca all the time.
1) Keep it in the freezer....lasts forever he says.
2) Bob smith and many others sell a spray on activator that makes it set really fast...8-10 seconds. Baking soda works too, but it goes cloudy. Mike told me what the stuff was in the activators you buy in the store, but I cant remember what it was.
3) Moisture helps speed up set time but not as quick as the activators. But breathing on, or light mist can help.
 
After 40 of dealing with ca glue ---
clear nozzle by squeezing gently with opening up, release quickly letting the bottle suck the residue back in, wipe off the outside with a paper towl and cap.
I also keep the old nozzles and caps. When a nozzle does clog, I remove it put it and the cap in a white plastic pill bottle with enough acetone to cover the nozzle and screw the lid on tightly. I put on a clean nozzle and repeat the process above. When it clogs, I pull the one out of the acetone and the cap wipe it dry and install them, The clogged one and cap go in the pill bottle. This way it only takes me a minute or two to get bact to gluing.
Another tip for those of you who like to glue up cuts on the end of your fingers. Instead of applying glue to the cut and pushing it closed for several minutes, glue it up and press it into a piece of plastic bag (newspaper bags are great, most glues won't stick to them) laid flat on the bench top. When the glue thins out, it sets almost instantly! Subsequent coats can be applied in a similar manner. This also keeps you from gluing your fingers together. If you are using ca glue to fill cracks and pits, put the plastic bag over the glue and press down with your thumb, most of the time it will set almost instantly. Yea, it leaves an ugly ca glue scab, but it is real thin and removes fairly quickly. Don't forget the bag!!!
Jim A.
 
I keep my bottles of Bob Smith CA in ziplock bags in the fridge with a safety pin in the bag. After use and before if need be, I scrape out the hole with the pin. Still gets clogged sometimes. My biggest problem is gluing my fingers to stuff. I wonder if gently wiping the nozzle with towels soaked with acetone or debonder/unglue would help without messing up the leftover glue?
 
kuraki said:
I don't. Part of the reason I buy the Bob Smith glue is because replacement nozzles and fine tips are cheap and available so when they're clogged or broken to the point I don't want to screw with them I just replace it.
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Do you order them or get them from the local store separately? Asking because I've never seen them sold separately but am interested. Replacing sounds like a good idea once a nozzle is totally messed up.
 
I buy (fast and ultra fast) ultra liquid CA in 2 and 4 ounce bottles. After I tired of taking the glued on caps off with pliers I threw the caps away. My CA bottles have been without caps for more than 6 months and are still liquid. Once in a while I use a razor knife to carve off the hardened glue around the top or poke a new hole with a pin. But otherwise no issues.
 
You can buy CA in larger bottles very economically. Buy a bag full of the small eye drop type bottles ( 5 to 10 gram) and fill them as needed. Toss them when done or clogged.

The replacable thin tips will fit most any glue bottle and cost about $5 for 50 tips.
 
Here's another tip from someone who uses it all the time-
Never, never, friggin' EVER get CA adhesive in your eyes! It's easier than you might think- the "squirt it up in the air post" reminded me of the time some super glue shot out of a joint when I squeezed it together and into my eye. Eye closed automatically when the drop hit- gluing lids to each other AND to the eyeball. Hurt like hell and I reached up and tore my eyelids open-tearing off a piece of my eyeball. Then it really hurt like hell! Came very close to losing that eye.
Be careful!
 
Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith said:
You can buy CA in larger bottles very economically. Buy a bag full of the small eye drop type bottles ( 5 to 10 gram) and fill them as needed. Toss them when done or clogged.

The replacable thin tips will fit most any glue bottle and cost about $5 for 50 tips.
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Stacy, Would you please tell me where I can buy these bottles? I live in So California. Thank you, Larry Lehman
 
Stacy, I meant where can I buy the large bottles and the eye drop bottles. You will help me and others immensely with some direction. Thank you, Larry
 
thanks for the responses guys,
I was starting to wonder if I was the only one having the clogged tip problem... :-)
 
good point bill, i should have mentioned " hold at arms length away", and tip away from face. damneng had a good suggestion, squeeze the bottle gently so the liquid rises to the tip, and pulls any drops in the nozzle back down into the container. i will try that. much safer.
 
I'm curious how CA glue is used in knife making. What are the primary uses you folks find for the stuff?
 
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