using super glue to reinforce cross grain?

[sccarnes]

guys, i think i saw an article in wci, where the carver used super glue to get wood ready to cut, made glass frames stronger, so could cut face away from glasses.
my question is,
carving a horse, and using 1 solid block of basswood, when i get to the final stages, on the legs and knees, if i soak the small cross grain area, with super glue will it make it stronger,
and will i be able to paint,
guesso does OK, but i was thinking , super glue might make it stronger,
but if making it stronger, affects the paint, might not be worth it,
anyone used approach?
thanks.
sam

[Plain_Ol_Ed]

I've used that technique quite often and it works well for me. It does show slightly through watered down acrylics, but if you are currently using gesso under your paints it should not effect it at all (or for that matter just full strength paints). Most people don't even notice it under watered down acrylics unless they know where to look. Try it on some scraps first.

[Lynn O. Doughty]

Super glue is the way to go to reinforce crossgrain when you're out on the small edge of something but I don't think I would rely on it for something like a leg. It would be best to pick up a long drill, available at most home stores, and drill a hole for a wooden dowel. You can use a syringe to shoot glue down the hole just make sure you drill completely through so the excess glue has somewhere to go when you push in the dowel. Let the dowel stick out the back-end too so you can carve it off.

This might sound a little involved but if you have a carving you really want to last it's the only way to go.

[Claude]

Originally Posted by Lynn O. Doughty

... It would be best to pick up a long drill, available at most home stores, and drill a hole for a wooden dowel. You can use a syringe to shoot glue down the hole just make sure you drill completely through so the excess glue has somewhere to go when you push in the dowel. Let the dowel stick out the back-end too so you can carve it off.
...

If you can't drill all the way through, an alternative method is to drill the hole as deep as you can, and then carve a flat on one side of the dowel to give the glue an escape path. As you push the dowel into the hole with glue in it, the excess glue can flow out between the side of the hole and the flat and can be easily wiped off.

Claude

[mdallensr]

We've used super-glue to harden bird's beaks and tail feathers. Be careful about woodburning super-glue though; it has a cyanide component and the fumes aren't good for you. Mike

[sccarnes]

thanks for the replys,
most of my legs are less than 1/8 to 3/16 inch thick and bend at the knees,
am not that good with a drill to trust my self to get centered.
could always do the add on legs, but then i could never do a show, sorry lynn, couldn't help myself,
will try and see, thanks
sam

[mdallensr]

With legs that thin, try the super-glue. When the add-on parts are small, I've been using brazing rod or some other stiff metal rod instead of wooden dowel rods.

[William]

The super glue works good but be sure all of the carving is done before you apply it because it's like carving stone after.

[oldbearx2]

There used to be a product out there by Minwax called Wood Hardener. It was used to harden up rotted wood prior to using their Bondo type wood filler. I wonder if it is still around and it it would work?

Harold

[Plain_Ol_Ed]

It is, and it doesn't. At least not as well. Doesn't seem to penetrate the way super glue does.