I Hate CA

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Zach, I know it stinks, sticks your fingers, is fickle (wrinkles when you don't want it) and laughs at you! And with LOTS AND LOTS of practice will produce a brilliant finish. There are times I just gotta walk away. Now like butch said, spill the beans, whats the problem?
 
The first thing the inventor of super glue did was to glue his fingers together. Short trip to the hospital to have a Doc separate them with a scalpel. Next day same guy, glued two fingers to his lower lip. Return trip to the same Hospital and the same Doc separated his finger from his lip. Doc made the comment that he should look for a solvent to dissolve the glue. That took most of the rest of the day. For his invention he got one dollar for the patent. That and a job with stock options, he did quite well. So if you think you started out bad with superglue think about how bad it started out for him a how well it turned out.
 
I have posted pretty much the same thing 3 or 4 times. I've finally made peace with CA, but it took a long, long time for me to figure it out. Practice makes perfect. Also, it's not the only way to get a good finish on a pen.
 
CA: Took me 18 months to master it. Then, within a few months after that, I developed a severe allergy! Now I have a DC system, double canister face mask and take an allergy pill before making a pen! :eek: :biggrin: And it is worth it when I see that SHINE!
 
I've said it before: My experience with CA has been like mixing tequila and hot sauce, I know I will like it eventually but right now I'm just trying not to scream..... Hey it gets better the more you try it, I love it....now what were we taking about?
 
Wish you were not on the other side of the state. I'd sure come help you out with it. Let me know if you re ever in my neck of the woods. Be patient, do some more research, keep at it.
 
Yeah, it's just so frustrating to have it one day produce an awesome finish and I hardly have to even try. Then the next day, doing the same thing, it doesn't work! I guess I just need more practice, but I really don't understand how doing the same procedure produces two VERY different results?
 
Watching someone do a CA finish is the best tutorial there is. I was fortunate to see JRC here in Vermont do a demo for me and it has made all of the difference in the world. Make sure you have enough on the blank. I use light squirts, not drops. If you have plenty of CA, sand it with 400 grit to level the ridges. I do every pen by before micro meshing either 0000 steel wool or 400 grit depending on how well I have applied the finish. If you want, PM me and I'll walk you through a simple process that isn't online. I believe I have helped save some sanity on CA finishes. You basically are enclosing the blank in Plastic. Not enough CA, no shine or dull spots where you have sanded through. Once you get it, I doubt you'll ever change.
 
shop temp, humidity, glue temp, wood type, time between coats, accelerator?, ....variables on top of variables.... you'll find the way that works for you, took me a couple of years. still hate the feel of CA, much prefer lacquer, but love the shine and durability...
 
Wheaties said:
Yeah, it's just so frustrating to have it one day produce an awesome finish and I hardly have to even try. Then the next day, doing the same thing, it doesn't work! I guess I just need more practice, but I really don't understand how doing the same procedure produces two VERY different results?
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Probably because you aren't doing the same thing. There is some variation in the weather (heat, humidity), some difference in the wood, or some minor difference in your technique that is producing the different results. The more complicated your "system" for applying CA, the more possibilities there are for things to get screwed up.
 
Yea California (CA) aint what it used to be. Time to move. OH! you mean the glue used for sticking fingesr and other thing togethter.

CA finishing can be tricky. It took me awhile to get it down and still have a problem on occasion. The are a number of good tutorials on IAP to help you. Keep practicing it will come.
 
I guess I am one of the few lucky ones.

When I first started turning pens, I read the descriptions on how its done, and watched a video or two and then tried it for myself. I have had very few problems when trying to achieve a CA finish. Musta been beginners luck.

Keep trying, you'll find a technique that will provide you with the consistency you desire. Just don't try too many variations at one time, so you can isolate what change gives you better results.
 
yea, i know CA can be a pain but if you work with it for long enough, it just kinda sticks to ya........wearing latex or similar type gloves will let it stick to them instead of your fingers but stuck fingers, bad smells, bad finish are all a part of the learning process....just takes time.............and a lot of swearing........and a lot of patience........and a whole bunch of solvent......what was it again i liked about CA..?????? oh yea............GREAT FINISH!!!!
 
It drove me crazy when I was trying to learn how to do it. Each time that I thought I had finally figured it out, and made a few successful finishes, suddenly one would go wrong for no apparent reason. I did finally figure it out. However, now most of my pens get a Poly finish. I do CA finishes occassionally now on woods that don't take to poly very well. I've been very happy with the CA finish I am getting when i do it. It was a really looooooong learning curve for me.
 
greenmtnguy said:
Watching someone do a CA finish is the best tutorial there is. I was fortunate to see JRC here in Vermont do a demo for me and it has made all of the difference in the world. Make sure you have enough on the blank. I use light squirts, not drops. If you have plenty of CA, sand it with 400 grit to level the ridges. I do every pen by before micro meshing either 0000 steel wool or 400 grit depending on how well I have applied the finish. If you want, PM me and I'll walk you through a simple process that isn't online. I believe I have helped save some sanity on CA finishes. You basically are enclosing the blank in Plastic. Not enough CA, no shine or dull spots where you have sanded through. Once you get it, I doubt you'll ever change.
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Alton, you have some beautiful pens, how do you keep the bushings from sticking to the blanks?
Best,
Stem
 
I run a knife around the bushing about 1/8" from the end of the blank. Usually it comes free. If not, a drop of med or thick CA, sand smooth with 400 grit, and buff or hand micro mesh. I use a lot of CA on my finishes. Not drops, a light stream with the lathe running. A couple of quick swipes with a paper towel and more I won't bore you with here.
 
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