Thread: What are you working on?

Have never heard of putting super glue on a set of scales as a finishing agent. But then again, I don't get out much either. I'll have to look this up. Sounds kind of messy and potentially disastrous if not done correctly and you don'y know what you're doing.....

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyanoacrylate

I like to use lacquer, way easier than ca. You can spray it on and easily get 6-7 coats on in a day. If your scales have open pores use a filler first, sand that flat, apply again if needed, then go to the finish. I like to put two coats and sand the nibs off with 500 grit. Then 3-4 coats, thinner is better. Just enough to wet the surface and have the finish level. Wait a few days to do your final rub out of the finish. The harder the finish the better the polish.

I like to hang my scales up by the pivot holes ( seal them with thin ca, or something similar prior to finishing). Makes spraying easy.

Lacquer like ca melts into itself.

I have never used ca as a finish but from the stories I hear about using it I don’t think unless it offers some serious advantage in wear resistance I can’t see a reason to even try it.

John, the only dumb question is the one not asked. CA finishes like a glass glove. Its a bit hard to work with but the end result can be very nice.

Originally Posted by Gasman

John, the only dumb question is the one not asked. CA finishes like a glass glove. Its a bit hard to work with but the end result can be very nice.

Jerry - Can I just use super glue off of the shelf? You know, the ones in the little tubes or should I use locktite super glue? If you know something better, please let me know. I want to try this. I'm going to make some scales for a 7 day set and it would be nice if they were all the same (finish & color).

Thanks!

John you can use drugstore variety superglue and you will get more or less the same results. It tends to be a lot cheaper in the larger formats from places like Lee Valley. There are some companies that have colours of CA as well. There are a lot of options especially for those that have access to amazon and quick mail services.

Jerry,

Can you post John some pics of the wire pieces that you use to hold the scales while you apply? I think those would be of some help.

As Rez said, any super glue will work. The standard stuff is the thin stuff and it dries fast. I bought mine at the hardware store. The Medium stuff (thicker and slower drying) I bought from a hobby store that does model kits and airplanes kits. Bottles of glue are easier to use because they don't dry up or seal up on the tip like the tubes and you get a lot more product.

The wires Roy is talking about I use on Tru-oil finishes. Not with CA. Sorry, Roy. The wires would get in the way sticking thru the scales plus Id glue the damn wires on them beyond help. Don't ask me how I know.


BTW, The wires are just bent paperclips and taped to the cardboard on the underneath side to hold them firm for working with. And spaced just right to go in the pin holes of the scales.

What I'm using with the CA is popsicle sticks taped on their sides and a stip of double0sided Scotch tape between the stick and scale. This holds them up so you can get the CA around to the sides without gluing them down onto your work surface and holds them still so you can spread the CA without knocking them off or over.



Hope this helps. But remember that CA is a pain to work with. It takes a long time, lots of coatings and sanding and more coats and more sanding and more....... But in the end, they look good. Good luck. BTW, I think if you do a search here on SRP you will find info on doing it that Glen posted years ago. Maybe even in our library. Plus lots of good vids of it on youtube.

Thanks for the pics my friend.

I actually got the idea when I was a newbie from a guy who did use those wires to do super glue with. I can't swear but I think he said he put a light oil or lube of some kind so that they didn't stick but as I said I'm not sure.

Maybe an experiment or two

One more thing you need to know. Cut the tip of the fingers off of some of those thin rubber gloves that you buy in a box of 100. Use that the help spread the CA. Keeps your fingers clean and toss it in the trash. Clean one every time.

I think this is the 18 coating. Maybe another 15 or so and they should be ready for some buffing. I hope! BTW, I took the synthetic steel wool to them between coats. This is making them a little smoother so I wont need to sand them down so much after the 5th. Thanks for the hint Tom! I forgot about that one.

Goodnight all!