I don't see the accelerator as necessary, but I use it because it came with the kit, and shaves time off the process. You could always make your own accelerator with some baking soda and DnA (the recipes I've seen use water, but the alcohol dries faster and is just a medium to transfer the basic soda to the acidic glue).

Yes I have the lathe running when I apply the ca.

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John Moody
Site Administrator


John Moody Woodworks
http://www.johnmoodywoodworks.com

The SUPER GAP FILLING on the label is your clue.  CA comes in 3 viscosities. All 3 are used in pen making. However, thick is usually reserved for gluing tubes in the blanks.  The reason is that the cure time is slower and it will fill small gaps between the tube and blank.  Thick is sometimes used in finishing but usually to fix a problem.  Examples are building up an overturned blank or fill voids in the timber.  Medium does the same as thick but you must use more coats.  It does cure a little faster.  Because they are thicker, thick and medium sit on top of the timber instead of soaking in.  Thin should ALWAYS be your first through 4 coats.  I sometimes apply 4 coats of medium AFTER the thin.  I wait at least 5 minutes between medium coats or use accelerator.  Don't be afraid of accelerator.  Applied correctly it can be extremely useful.  Applied incorrectly it will mess up a pen immediately. 

I will also encourage you again to visit IAP. 

Go to the library first.  There are many articles on CA finishing plus other alternatives.

 

Charles Nicholls said:

It doesn't say thick or thin so I don't know, I have always used what I have here, I have never had a red bottle, and this used to work well so I don't know why it wont work now.

Arlin Eastman said:

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Charles Nicholls
Site Host
nicholls61@att.net
http://www.nichollswoodworks.com
This website is new so it doesn't have much to it yet but you are welcome to take a look

If you are a member of IAP then watch the videos in the library section, they explain exactly how to apply a CA finish. They will teach you more than can possibly be gleaned from this thread. Chuck up some wooden dowel in the lathe and practice on that. The dowel is cheap and usually comes in 3' sections. There are some folks at IAP that have used medium or thick alone and have achieved stunning results. There are some that recommend a specific brand of paper towel. It's a matter of practice, trial and error!

Charles wooden dowel is sold at most hardware stores and home improvement centers, Ace, True Value, Home Depot, Lowes, Menards..etc etc. Perhaps a neighbor could pick up a length of it for you. It's about $1.50 - $2.00 for a 3' section. Certainly cheaper than pen blanks. I would go with 3/8" dia. since it will approximate the finished dia. of most pen barrels. As far as where info is in a specific video I couldn't tell you, you'll have to look at the videos as well as read other info that's in the IAP library. There are at least 20 YOUTUBE Videos dealing with CA finishes as well. Good luck!

Necessity is the mother of invention! I'm sure you'll figure a way to get it done.