The Woodworking Problem Solver | CA Glue

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CA (cyanoacrylate) glue is a handy thing to have in the shop. It dries fast, comes in several viscosities, and can solve a lot of problems for the woodworker. Oddly enough, the thing I use CA glue for the least is gluing together joinery, mostly because a traditional wood glue is easier to use, works better, is safer and is less expensive. But it's still worth having a bottle or two around the shop. 

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[redgti]

I use thin CA glue for screw holes in MDF. MDF will hold the screws a whole lot better if you harden the screw holes with the CA.

[Spectrum_Auto_Spa]

My tip for using CA glue is to put it in a needle bottle. Have a second needle bottle with acetone in it. Once you use the ca glue switch the bottle caps and clean out the needle used for the glue with the acetone. 100% glue control.

[mattmorrisson]

Beyond your ideas, I’ve found that CA glue is great for holding pieces together while I’m waiting for the wood glue to set. Especially on large projects where I don’t have a clamp large enough to hold stuff together, I’ll apply my wood glue like normal, but leave a few gaps. Then I put CA glue in those gaps and activator on the receiving face to lock it in.

Voila! That’s what I call a chemical clamp!

[Seeker]

Thanks for the video and especially for the tip of cleaning off the CA bottle and using a refrigerator or freezer. Yes. this stuff is expensive.

[MidnightMaker]

I also love the CA glue as a clamp to hold the joint together as the yellow glue dries...

[thedevilinthecircuit]

If you make router templates from thin MDF, you can really strengthen the edges of the MDF by painting on water-thin CA with a little foam brush. The templates will last for years with very little wear.

[theragingdolphinsmaniac]

I saw on another YouTube video that you can store CA containers in a canning jar with desiccant (like Damp Rid). That works like a charm and preserves the super glue perfectly because it dries the atmosphere inside the jar. I was able to use the entire container of CA the last time I bought it.

[DolfoMan]

I’ve been subscribed for a good while, but now you sir are the one and only person I have actually clicked the bell on. Mighty generous of you Mark.

[inmyimage]

I’ve very recently been acquiring tools and binging videos to get into woodworking and keep hearing people mention “CA” glue but nobody says what it is so this was helpful enough to get a little food for the algorithm. Several of yours are very helpful so thanks!

[KenVersteeg]

I use CA glue and activator on outside miters for baseboards and crown molding. Keeps the joint neat and tight until I can get nails into the wall. I've also used it to join long pieces of crown molding together using a scarf joint.

[markpalmer]

I really like the little 5 or 10 packs at the supermarket, usually one is just enough for what I'm doing and no need to worry about it drying up.
Some great tips!

[simongroom]

Great video ! I am a former Loctite engineer. You can fill cracks/holes by pushing the powder wood dust into the crack and them run low viscosity (thin) ca into it
Mixing has to happen quick as a fast ca starts to cure immediately you mix in the dust It just gives you more time……..and less glue! ….At the end of the day it’s what works for you……….Love the phrase “creative problem solver” ……..it’s what I used to do! Regarding activators ……..we used to say …..”just needs a sniff” ! Again ……great video!

[johnnygeek]

Using CA glue to "harden" materials -- actually this is very common with luthiers. The industry standard method of finishing fretboards for "fretless basses" (where the fingerboard has no frets and the strings just get pushed directly to the fingerboard) is to apply multiple coats of CA glue to the rosewood, ebony, or other fretboard - and then polish it to a glossy finish. Works like a champ.

Another common use is to reinforce screw holes in things like countersunk screw holes and the edges of potentiometer holes in thin or hollowbody guitar tops.

[TimberBiscuitWoodworks]

Nice job showing the use cases for each type of glue, and a mix of multiple viscosities. I didn't know about the softer wood for miters trick, I'll be using that one for sure! And thanks for the history and the science lesson Marc!

[MrJohnnyboyrebel]

I use the thin CA whenever I am tapping threads directly into wood. A couple of drops will stiffen the fibers in the hole making the threads a bit stronger. Also, wood turners use CA to reinforce spalted woods before or while turning. Like you, I don’t depend on CA for standard joinery.

[musicamex]

Very good tutorial. I use CA extensively in my luthier studio and wood shop. I find that it can have up to 5 yrs shelf life if stored in a close to freezing refrigerator. I do allot of fret replacement work and CA is the key to doing a good job as the fret barbs almost always pull up small chips from the fret slot edges.
I liked your miter trick and the CA with tape for temporary alternatives to clamping.
Thanks!

[brigandboy]

Also a good thing to keep in mind when using any CA glue is that the faster curing, thinner stuff tends to be more brittle than the slower curing thicker stuff. This may not ever be an issue in woodworking, but if you use it for other applications, it's a good thing to be aware of.

[GeeDeeBird]

Here's a tip for the tipster. I little light work on the belt sander will take thin CA clue off your finger tip. But, careful. It can get hot!!

[hollandcustomwoodworking]

Years ago I used to work in a grocery store meat dept as a meat cutter. Every once and a while I’d get a cut in which I’d use superglue to “stitch” it shut. Works great!

Great video! Thanks for sharing!