Wonderlok 'em

N

nickzdon

Joined
Mar 3, 2011
Messages
398
So I stopped by the local hardware emporium to pick up some Swell Lock to try on my wedges. They told me they didn't carry it anymore, but the did recommend something similar. Wonderlok 'Em. They say it does the same thing. So I buy it. I get to the studio and try it on a loose stool (no jokes please) that's wobbled for a while. Doesn't work. I get it all over my finger and the stuff sets up immediately like super glue. So I go check the MSDS. It's 100% Ethyl Cyanocrylate. It is super glue! (The label on the back of the bottle also says Ethyl Cyanocrylate, but I didn't think to read it at the store) So I look up Swell Lock's MSDS to see what it's made of. It doesn't have one. It's not hazardous enough to warrant one by OSHA. But I did find out that it's Glycol based. Which makes it hygroscopic, meaning it attracts and holds moisture. I did find another product online called Chair-loc that is also glycol based which might be a decent alternative.

So the moral of the story is: All the 'locks' aren't the same. Don't buy Wonderlock 'Em and use it like Swell & Lock. Live and learn. (The secondary moral is: read the damn label!)
 
bearhunter said:
ive got the chair-loc. its expensive, but works...
Click to expand...

Has anyone tried using straight dipropylene glycol to swell their haft and wedge?

I searched the web for an MSDS sheet for Swel-Lock. I only found the MSDS for Dap Wood Swell & Lock. Turns out it's just dipropylene glycol (DPG) and water. DPG is common ingredient in perfumes and soaps. It's available cheap on the ebay. Anyone tried it? I just ordered some.
 
I just use linseed oil on the wedges - also pour some down into the haft split. I have also used old school wood glue, which if I remember right is supposed to be a no no for whatever reason. Good info on here - at least we know nick is going to have to use something else for his loose stools issue( sorry had to).

So if u are going to use a product like that, a glycol water loving product - but your wedge and handle are both dry - should u soak the wedge then first so the product can retain that moisture over time in the axe head, thus keep the swelling, thus no loosey goosey? Or is the main purpose so your current haft and wedge do not loose any moisture content they currently have?
 
Like OP said, a little oil on the wedge and kerf is all I do as well. Once I started doing that, I was no longer getting the wedge shave on the way in, instead getting the whole wedge to squeeze in.
 
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