It seems like some CA, like Zap, kiks-off very fast while others, like Bob Smith, are more lazy. Is there a chemistry difference or am I sniffing too much glue (Ambroid, of course).

Here's an interesting treatise on CA glue:

http://www.modelresearchlabs.com/CA%20glue.htm

These guys are hard-core and may seem over the top, but I think what they say is true.

Kelvin

The WORST Ca glue I ever used was Hobbico Bullit (which they don't make anymore). Years ago, I built up a Klingberg Wing and then had to put it on the shelf for a few months. When I started working on it again, the wing came apart in my hands.
The Bob Smith brand is the same stuff lots of hobby shops re-label and sell as their own brand. I've noticed that they are slow to set too. I tossed them.
I use Great Planes Pro CA now for the few planes. Seems to be as good as Zap.

Try Jet CA it'sexpensive but works great.

The biggest differences seem to be in purity. The CA's that advertise that they are triple distilled seem to work the best. At least that's what I've noticed. I'm currently using the
Handi-Bond brand with good results. And I've tried most of the brands out there.
[&:]

Triple distille.. mmm, sounds like Vodka. Maybe it was moisture content in the balsa of the kit you glued. Moisture sets CA.

http://www.woodweb.com/knowledge_bas..._adhesive.html

And the best way to get CA off is to put Hand lotion on your hands fairly thick on the effected area and wait about a half hour and the CA will peel right off. I hate chewing that stuff off.

especially when it's your scrotum you just glued...


dave

Your lucky! I would have to get someone else to do that for me.

I've tried a few brands and am certainly no expert because I do most of my building with Carpenter's glue. But when Hot Stuff first came out, I just couldn't get it to work. I tried Pacer Zap and it was great and have never tried anything else.

Hmmm, a little too much information there.

Hobby shops don't relabel BSI, BSI puts the shop's name on it for the dealer. I find the freshest CA works the best; I buy Zap-O odorless for health reasons and chuck it the freezer until needed. A half-hour warm-up and it's ready to use. I used a lot of the original Hot Stuff back when it was the only brand available and found it excellent- even glued a chunk of rubber back in place in a tire on my OFB's Chevy on the way to a contest. It worked great! JIM