CA Glue Tips & Projects

The video titled “More CA Glue Tips & Projects and New Products” is by Colin Knecht, known for his engaging woodworking content on the WoodWorkWeb channel. In this video, Colin dives into the world of cyanoacrylate glues, often referred to as super glues, and shares invaluable tips, tricks, and project ideas that showcase their versatility.

Introduction to CA Glues

Colin starts off by expressing his appreciation for Starbond, the sponsor of the video, noting his long-standing relationship with the brand. He emphasizes the importance of using fresh glue, which ensures reliability and effectiveness in his projects. This trust in the product sets the stage for the various applications he will demonstrate.

Creating Wooden Trays and Open Boxes

One of the first projects Colin showcases is making little wooden trays or open boxes for storage. He introduces the concept by showing a small box he keeps in his fridge for organizing glues and a catchall box he uses in his workshop.

Colin shows a small wooden box for organizing glues in his fridge.

Colin uses a super thin plywood material, referred to as dkin material, which is about 1/16 of an inch thick. He demonstrates how easy it is to cut this material without needing a table saw—just scoring it a few times provides a clean edge.

Colin demonstrates how to score the plywood for clean cuts.

To assemble the boxes, Colin applies a thin bead of medium-thick CA glue to the wood. He introduces a new accelerator product that comes with a brush, making the application process even easier. By applying the accelerator directly to the glue, he showcases how quickly the bond forms, saving time and hassle.

Colin applies CA glue and accelerator to assemble the wooden box.

After assembling the sides of the box, he reinforces the bottom with additional strips of wood to ensure durability, demonstrating that these utility boxes are both strong and easy to make.

Colin reinforces the bottom of the box with additional wood strips.

When to Use Epoxy

For larger projects, Colin discusses the option of using a two-part epoxy. He highlights Starbond’s two-part epoxy, which comes with a silicone mixing tray and a mixing tool, making the process straightforward and mess-free.

Colin shows the Starbond two-part epoxy and its mixing tray.

Colin also mentions the practical design of the screw-on lids for the epoxy, which prevents clogging and makes it easy to reuse the containers.

Repairing Cracks with Epoxy Putty

Moving on to woodworking repairs, Colin addresses the common issue of cracks in wood. He introduces Starbond’s epoxy putty, available in different colors, which is ideal for filling large cracks. He demonstrates the strength of the putty and how to mix it effectively.

Colin demonstrates how to mix the epoxy putty for wood repairs.

After mixing, Colin fills a significant crack in a piece of wood, explaining that this epoxy putty will prevent any liquids from leaking through the crack, making it an essential tool for woodworkers.

Sanding and Finishing

Once the epoxy putty has hardened, Colin showcases how easy it is to trim down the excess material using a plane, followed by sanding to achieve a smooth finish. He takes the project outside to sand, ensuring a clean workspace and avoiding dust accumulation indoors.

Colin sands the epoxy putty for a smooth finish.

Colin remarks on the effectiveness of the sanding process, noting that while the putty can clog sandpaper, it’s manageable with the appropriate techniques.

Blending CA Glues for Color Matching

In a creative twist, Colin illustrates how to blend different colors of CA glue to match wood tones. He demonstrates this by filling drilled holes with colored CA glue and shows how to achieve a seamless blend using a mixing tray. This technique is particularly useful for making repairs less noticeable.

Colin blends different colors of CA glue to match wood tones.

Conclusion

Colin wraps up the video by reiterating his trust in Starbond products and encourages viewers to explore their offerings. He emphasizes the importance of proper storage for CA glue, suggesting that keeping it in the fridge can extend its shelf life significantly. With practical advice and engaging demonstrations, Colin provides a comprehensive look at the versatility of CA glues in woodworking.

Video

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