Thanks !!! I have made 30+ pens over the past few years and have always wanted to do a CA Finish. Your video is great. Simple to understand step by step. I got great results the first time. Well done Sir !
I enjoyed your clear detailed video. I have searched several resources on this topic "using CA glue" as a finnish and yours has been the most informative. Thanks for sharing.
THANK YOU!!!! I had been applying Supper Glue & Linseed oil while the lathe was on and it sucked picking dried supper glue off my hands and everything else. This is way better!!!! The one thing I have found is that it works better to WET sand with the micromesh. I use a old windex bottle filled with water and spritz the piece frequently during the sanding. It keeps the micromesh from getting clogged up with glue dust and it keeps the wood cool.
The only recommendation I would make is to be sure to wipe in between grits of sandpaper so that the previous grit doesn't contaminate the finer grits. Nice video.
I did get CA in my eyes about 25 years ago. I was fortunate that it did not damage the retina, but it was extremely uncomfortable and you could feel it slowly curing. A piece of balsa from a model plane was saturated with it snapped and flung a couple of drops toward me. I could not close my eye in enough time. If you do get this in your eyes, have someone drive you to the optometrist or emergency room immediately.
I do this with toilet paper and my lathe spinning at 500rpm. The paper never sticks, as it creates a film instantly. Also, put the glue on the wood, starting at one end and moving to the other squeezing out a few drops as you go (3-5 drops is plenty) Every 3 coats, buff with an 800 grit pad to keep things smooth. After a dozen coats (if you want a glass-like finish) wet-sand with 2000grit to make it glass smooth, then use polish and swirl remover. It will look like glass.
excellent video i,m quite new to pen turning and so far have only used friction polish but it dosnt appear to have a very durable finish. will try your ca method tomorrow ..many thanks.
The comments about using cloth are not stupid, they are a commonly held safety practice that even professional turners will tell you. For the reasons given. If it catches you will get hurt. If you don't like the lint that standard store bought "bounty" towels use the shop style ones they tend to have less lint. you can also hit the blank with tack cloth prior to your final coat to remove any lint or dust. Otherwise good video.
after you finish sanding try turning the lathe off and turning it by hand, running your sand paper from the right to the left of the wood quickly and it will eliminate scratch marks going aorund the cylinder of the pen.. give it a try and let me know what you think.. it makes my work MUCH smoother.. just let me know:)
Nice job! The only recommendation I have is not using cloth while the lathe is running, that is a bad accident waiting to happen! If it gets caught in the lathe and tangles around your hand or finger you or going to lose or break something.
Perhaps you should clean the blank before you apply the CA glue, or any type of finish for that matter. Denatured alcohol works well and evaporates quickly.
One other tip - if your going to use a paper towel product instead of cloth try rags in a box from the auto-store. They do not kick off fumes or react with the CA glue. I also use a full mask and respirator combo, rated appropriately for eye protection, and I am unable to smell the glue.
No stopping between fine grits on the lathe to do vertical sanding to take out grooves? No ventilation or face mask? No gloves? No eye protection? New to this craft, I've noticed how careless and flippant folks are with safety around toxic chemicals. Worth a reminder in every video!
@gcoxjr well yah, but it's not as dangerous with what he's doing with the rag...he's only touching it at one spot, that won't make it catch like that. what he really shouldn't do is wrap the rag around the pen when he's working on it...THAT will definitely catch!:/ happened to me before so i know lol
Great instructional video. Been trying to decide on a finish for pens I'm getting ready to turn, and this will help a lot. One question, some go up to six or more coats. Do you see a need for this or big benefit to it? Seems like over kill to me, but I've never done a CA finish so just would like your thoughts. Thanks for sharing this. Fred
I always get kinda scared with rags around spinning shafts of any kind. One grab = one hand, finger, etc. If it doesn't do that, it can still fling no telling what at your face, eyes or other important body parts.
The Safety Sallys are nauseating, although I would never use a rag on a running lathe; that's just me. Very different techniques, I appreciate the thinking outside the box.
anselb2000 - if you feel that way please post a link to a video that will show some far better techniques. I have been putting the glue on with the lathe running using the back of a sticker that has 3M material or funny foam cut up from the craft store. I have been using 3 coats of thin and then 2 to 4 coats of medium and it is a pain and the finish always cracks around the edges. My take away items from this video are to try using only medium and then having the lathe off. Will see how it works.
Just because your scared to use CA with the lathe spinning does not mean it is dangerous. First off, where is you eye protection? A face shield will keep the CA out of your eyes. Where is your respirator or dust mask? If you actually took precautions, you could do this much easier with the lathe ON, and be at less risk too. Also, CA doesn't "fling everywhere". If it does, you use too much. Also, toilet paper is the best applicator. Cheap, readily available and no reaction.
Please be careful with anything other then a paper towel around a lathe. As if it catches on something, your chance of using that hand again is not good. I only use paper Towel's as if they catch it tears. Also I never wear anything that can get caught on a lathe. Be it a ring, watch or long sleeve shirt.
Learn how to sell on eBay We will give you excellent tips and tools that you need to sell on eBay Get an overview of what to sell on eBay and be trained to avoid any potential dropship on eBay problems with these tips
Thanks !!! I have made 30+ pens over the past few years and have always wanted to do a CA Finish. Your video is great. Simple to understand step by step. I got great results the first time. Well done Sir !
I enjoyed your clear detailed video. I have searched several resources on this topic "using CA glue" as a finnish and yours has been the most informative. Thanks for sharing.
THANK YOU!!!! I had been applying Supper Glue & Linseed oil while the lathe was on and it sucked picking dried supper glue off my hands and everything else. This is way better!!!!
The one thing I have found is that it works better to WET sand with the micromesh. I use a old windex bottle filled with water and spritz the piece frequently during the sanding. It keeps the micromesh from getting clogged up with glue dust and it keeps the wood cool.
The only recommendation I would make is to be sure to wipe in between grits of sandpaper so that the previous grit doesn't contaminate the finer grits. Nice video.
I did get CA in my eyes about 25 years ago. I was fortunate that it did not damage the retina, but it was extremely uncomfortable and you could feel it slowly curing. A piece of balsa from a model plane was saturated with it snapped and flung a couple of drops toward me. I could not close my eye in enough time.
If you do get this in your eyes, have someone drive you to the optometrist or emergency room immediately.
A very clear and concise video and thanks for taking the time to make it. Good teaching ability
Thanks for taking the time to demonstrate this - I'm going to try it this weekend (finally!)
I do this with toilet paper and my lathe spinning at 500rpm. The paper never sticks, as it creates a film instantly. Also, put the glue on the wood, starting at one end and moving to the other squeezing out a few drops as you go (3-5 drops is plenty)
Every 3 coats, buff with an 800 grit pad to keep things smooth. After a dozen coats (if you want a glass-like finish) wet-sand with 2000grit to make it glass smooth, then use polish and swirl remover. It will look like glass.
excellent video i,m quite new to pen turning and so far have only used friction polish but it dosnt appear to have a very durable finish. will try your ca method tomorrow ..many thanks.
The comments about using cloth are not stupid, they are a commonly held safety practice that even professional turners will tell you. For the reasons given. If it catches you will get hurt. If you don't like the lint that standard store bought "bounty" towels use the shop style ones they tend to have less lint. you can also hit the blank with tack cloth prior to your final coat to remove any lint or dust. Otherwise good video.
great video man! i like how that pen turned out! very good job:)
i never knew you could do this!
Thanks for this, it is going to help me fix some mistakes I have made. Much appreciated.
after you finish sanding try turning the lathe off and turning it by hand, running your sand paper from the right to the left of the wood quickly and it will eliminate scratch marks going aorund the cylinder of the pen.. give it a try and let me know what you think.. it makes my work MUCH smoother.. just let me know:)
Nice job! The only recommendation I have is not using cloth while the lathe is running, that is a bad accident waiting to happen! If it gets caught in the lathe and tangles around your hand or finger you or going to lose or break something.
Well said! I thought I was the only one thinkin' this! I cringed through out the whole video!
Sweet. I would be too paranoid to use a cloth rag as opposed to paper towels.
great info. thank you.
oh and i also do a process similar to this too and also get a great shine!
Perhaps you should clean the blank before you apply the CA glue, or any type of finish for that matter. Denatured alcohol works well and evaporates quickly.
One other tip - if your going to use a paper towel product instead of cloth try rags in a box from the auto-store. They do not kick off fumes or react with the CA glue. I also use a full mask and respirator combo, rated appropriately for eye protection, and I am unable to smell the glue.
No stopping between fine grits on the lathe to do vertical sanding to take out grooves?
No ventilation or face mask? No gloves? No eye protection?
New to this craft, I've noticed how careless and flippant folks are with safety around toxic chemicals. Worth a reminder in every video!
@gcoxjr well yah, but it's not as dangerous with what he's doing with the rag...he's only touching it at one spot, that won't make it catch like that. what he really shouldn't do is wrap the rag around the pen when he's working on it...THAT will definitely catch!:/ happened to me before so i know lol
Any doubts, go watch Captain Eddie's video on it. He gave me the TP idea, I already did the rest.
Let's all use eye protection when working in the shop. Or job site.
Put wax paper between bushing and blank.
Great instructional video. Been trying to decide on a finish for pens I'm getting ready to turn, and this will help a lot. One question, some go up to six or more coats. Do you see a need for this or big benefit to it? Seems like over kill to me, but I've never done a CA finish so just would like your thoughts. Thanks for sharing this. Fred
i have made sompens with thin ca and the bushing is glue to the blanks. hove do you awoide that he ca craks when you remowe the bushings ??
I always get kinda scared with rags around spinning shafts of any kind. One grab = one hand, finger, etc. If it doesn't do that, it can still fling no telling what at your face, eyes or other important body parts.
The Safety Sallys are nauseating, although I would never use a rag on a running lathe; that's just me. Very different techniques, I appreciate the thinking outside the box.
how come my glue clouded and crystalized? i didnt use any accelerator its just REALLY rough and not shiny at all
could you just use plastic wrap to put the glue on.
@maxmolly12 Agreed. I never thought about that! I'm a nube anyways.
Yes and nose.
anselb2000 - if you feel that way please post a link to a video that will show some far better techniques. I have been putting the glue on with the lathe running using the back of a sticker that has 3M material or funny foam cut up from the craft store. I have been using 3 coats of thin and then 2 to 4 coats of medium and it is a pain and the finish always cracks around the edges. My take away items from this video are to try using only medium and then having the lathe off. Will see how it works.
@onewaytoturn ok thanks im going to try again but this time ill try to do it faster
Just because your scared to use CA with the lathe spinning does not mean it is dangerous. First off, where is you eye protection? A face shield will keep the CA out of your eyes. Where is your respirator or dust mask? If you actually took precautions, you could do this much easier with the lathe ON, and be at less risk too. Also, CA doesn't "fling everywhere". If it does, you use too much.
Also, toilet paper is the best applicator. Cheap, readily available and no reaction.
what is a good alternative for Shellawax? since I can not have it shipped down.
Please be careful with anything other then a paper towel around a lathe. As if it catches on something, your chance of using that hand again is not good. I only use paper Towel's as if they catch it tears. Also I never wear anything that can get caught on a lathe. Be it a ring, watch or long sleeve shirt.
don't want to have a possible fire in my shop. cotton seems to be a bad idea to me.
Learn how to sell on eBay We will give you excellent tips and tools that you need to sell on eBay Get an overview of what to sell on eBay and be trained to avoid any potential dropship on eBay problems with these tips
Using a rag on a rotating piece of wood is an extremely dangerous practice -- find some lint free paper products. You'll lose a finger..
Someone with only part of a hand will understand, maybe too late!
This IS NOT super glue!!! Fix your title PLEASE
There are far better techniques and methods than this one.
Do you use eye protection when you post videos of dog shit?