Ok here go trying to use my thick CA glue only to find it's dried up.. once again... But I think my problem maybe stemming before it dries up. I don't keep this on my bench I keep it in my field box. In a perfect world it would never fall over and put glue back in the tip.. So usually when I use it I have to drill the hole back out or cut some off the tip.. So for me it's either or... I've tried leaving small nails in the hole, cleaning the tip after I use it. Do you guys that leave it on the bench does it last a while? I can't count the times this has happened over the years. Only my thick CA.. Thin stays fine, don't usually have medium. So figure it's only a few bucks, but either driving to the LHS (add the price of gas) or waiting for an order.. I'd rather have a better solution! Also how do you guys feel about the CA accelerator?? I've used it several times, but to me it seems that it may remove some of the strength b/c it's an instant thing...

Todd

I buy my CA at the dollar store 3 tubes for $1..(CA glue is CA glue no matter who's name is on it) I keep tubes in the field box and at home and have them harden up all the time costs me 33 cents a tube, gel or liquid...Rog

I do not have any problems with CA hardening however i keep it in the fridge when im not using it.

Shop glue goes in the frige.

It's the heat and humidity that's causing it to harden. Ah, do you fly so poorly you need to keep CA in your flight box?

Accelerator is good. Use it sparingly. One light squirt should harden the glue quickly. Let the CA soak in a little, then hit it with the accelerator. I usually don't use accelerator on thin CA, only on thick.

Flyinrog has a good idea.

I store unused, unopened bottles of CA in the fridge.

Dr.1

Great suggestion! Never thought of getting the CA from the dollar store!! Much cheaper than at the LHS, I'm sorry to say (I support the LHS but at times, well..)

DS.

I wouldn't use Dollar Store CA exclusively. I don't know if it's the same strength as the LHS stuff. However, on a package of CA my wife bought at Dollar General the other day, I DID see the name of the parent company that produced it - Pacer Tech. So........

Dr.1

I just don't bother with thick CA. If I need the additional working time, its wood glue or gorilla glue -I can wait. If I need it quick, its thin or medium CA.

I've also quit using the top of the bottle to apply the glue. I buy the applicators at the LHS for $.49. When I'm done, I just rinse it out with acetone. This way, the bottle top doesn't get all gooped up, and fits nice and tight everytime. My shop is in the basement where its always between 65 and 75 degrees, so I don't bother keeping it in the fridge. I usually just buy a new bottle at the start of a new build anyway.

Brad

Anytime you stick something in a bottle of CA it's like seeding clouds for rain or making a pearl in an oyster. The glue sticks to the tiniest of particles, which get bigger, and bigger, until it's a lump. Here are some hints.

Don't stick anything in the tip, ever. Slice it open with a razor and either replace the tip or slice it further back if it plugs.

You'll do better to leave the bottle uncapped at home (this one floors me). It will last longer, and will not plug up as the tips & caps are not of the same plastic as the bottle and the CA sticks to some. As long as you don't tip it over! I get the little, cheap CA pipettes and fill them and leave them open in 1/2" holes drilled in a block of wood. . . but admit I am too cowardly to leave a whole open bottle of CA around.

Refrigerate before opening if you don't need it right away.

I use ammonia for accelerator. Mist spraying plain old water in an accelerator spray bottle works, too. Some folks dissolve baking soda in the water (I think the base helps the speed).