super glue on the thin stuff

[cedarshavings]

I've read a lot of comments where some of you put super glue on thin pieces like feather tips and wings of birds. How do you apply it and how much?

By the way, I appreciate all the comments on here. I have learned so much since joining this site. And to think I used to wait for the next issue of Wood Carving Illustrated and just learn from whatever that issue had to offer. Thanks to everyone for sharing your knowlege and experiences. Thumbs Up

[Doug Ridley]

Jusi put a little on the thin places. It'll soak in and reinforce the wood. Won't take much.

[AlArchie]

That super glue is readilly available, cheap and easy to use, but there are several other products out there made specifically for that type of reinforcing wood. One is Minwax Wood Hardener. Comes in a pint can and just applies by either dipping or brushing.....I use a Q-Tip for application, because the stuff will also "harden" a brush! Super glue is fine for small areas, but if you need larger "thin" stuff stiffened up, this minwax product really works.

Al

[Lynn O. Doughty]

I use super glue all the time for all sorts of stuff. It works great on thin pieces but they will still break if you're not careful. Also, be real careful with it as if you breath the fumes when it goes off or if you happen to burn it it will really knock you out.

You can buy a bottle of accelerator which will set it off immediately. However, if you have a lot of glue the accelerant will cause it to bubble on the surface.

You can also mix the glue with baking soda to make a good gap filler. Don't use the accelerant for that.

You can use the glue to 'stitch' together a small cut. Just squeeze on a bit and hold the skin together till it sets. I've had a split on the side of my thumb for several days now that I've use the glue on and it's healing nicely without a bandaid. Believe it or not Surgeons are using this stuff in the operating room.

[Alice in Wonderland]

Lynn ,I have some fine cracks I glued together and they show( Pine) , could I just scrape some glue out and then use Super Glue? Would it show too. I do not paint ,I use a natural finish, I try not to have the cracks visible. Any hope there? Alice

[AlArchie]

Alice, there ain't no way you can make a crack go away. No glue will do that, but you may have an option if you can be a bit creative with the paint brush. Super glue, epoxy, household cement (Duco or the likes) will hold the pieces together and fill the gap. then sand the fill to provide a smooth surface joint. The trick now is to get your paints and brushes, experiment with mixing colors till you match the pine , including grain and paint that glue filled crack to match the surrounding wood. It takes a bit of patience, but you can do it.

Al

[Lynn O. Doughty]

Ah...but you can make a crack disappear. Even if you use a natural finish on a piece. Furniture Sticks! All they are are glorified crayons made from either wax or shellac in numerous shades to match the various shades of wood or finish. You might be able to find them at Lowes or Home Depot but I know you can find them through a catalog i.e., Constatines. Here's a link which will explain how to do it. Really very simple and foolproof. The wax method is probably the easiest and best suited for your problem.

http://extension.usu.edu/files/publi.../FL-HI-500.pdf

You will have to clean the crack out a little so the material will hang onto something below the surface.

Hope this helps!

Let me know if this

[AlArchie]

Those sticks may just do the job! I forgot about those...or rather never thought about using them on carvings. I've only used them on some deep furniture scratches and on finishing nail holes on woodwork. They don't make flaws "disappear" but Lynn has it right....they sure can make them almost unnoticeable!

Lynn, I wonder if those would also work to seal those pitch pockets in some of my relief carvings in pine? I'll have to try that down the line.

I'm sure there are other brands out there, but Minwax makes them and Ace Hardware, Sears, and Tru Value Hardware also stock them....as would a good paint store.

Good tip, Lynn, thanks!

Al

[Alice in Wonderland]

Thank you Lynn and Al, the article on Furniture repair is very good ,I saved it ,
usually Furnitures are finished , I have no finish on my piece, do you think I should put some on before? I plan to leave it natural,
Al this is a good thought ,it may work on pitch??
I will try Home Depot for the sticks, I was very tempted to finish it but everytime I look at it the glue looks back at me. Now I have to wait until I get into the City :-)
Thanks again
Alice