Using CA for a finish

[Terry]

I prefer a CA finish and with my dust extraction going it is rare that I suffer from the fumes. If you use wax then you are still putting a covering over the wood!!!

 

[Grump]

I prefer a CA finish and with my dust extraction going it is rare that I suffer from the fumes. If you use wax then you are still putting a covering over the wood!!!

Thank you Terry for the first sensible comment I have read in this thread.
I have been itching to say what a load of bollocks I am reading.
But you know I am much to polite for that init?

 

[bassethound]

I use loads of it and lucky enough never had a prob with the fumes, I think it's a good finisher!

 

[paulm]

I'm a ca and no other sort of guy. Love me love my ca

 

[Terry]

At the end of the day whatever you use you are enhancing the wood. If you didn't put anything on the wood then I think the pen would look rather boring and plain !!!

 

[wm460]

Never had any luck with Boiled linseed oil, or accelerator.

 

[Penpal]

If you look at my 10 inch extractor close to the lathe for fine dust above it also is there to get rid of CA fumes however I use less coats with great success IMHO.

Regards Peter.

 

[sbwertz]

Check out this video. It is the easiest CA finish I've ever used and pretty much foolproof.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orcgOf4siqc

 

[Matt]

Got to be worth giving it a go, at least you will know then. I watched a load of YouTube vids and have never had a problem, like others have said just watch the fumes. Each to their own I guess

 

[rayf6604]

Check out this video. It is the easiest CA finish I've ever used and pretty much foolproof.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orcgOf4siqc

I like the technique but I can't make out what he says in the yellow mustard bottle, can anyone else hear what he said it is?

 

[scouseroy]

I like the technique but I can't make out what he says in the yellow mustard bottle, can anyone else hear what he said it is?

Boiled linseed oil he calls it B.L.O. in the video :wink:

 

[rayf6604]

Boiled linseed oil he calls it B.L.O. in the video :wink:

Thanks Roy. I'll try his method and I assume briwax will work the same for the ends of the pen barrel?

 

[chas_41_uk]

It's all a question of taste. Be it CA, friction polish, or anything else. They are all right for the person founding the pen.
I use friction polish and wax. I've tried CA, but can't get it right. I'm sure I would use it as a finish on some woods if I could get it right

 

[paulm]

Check out this video. It is the easiest CA finish I've ever used and pretty much foolproof.

That's quite different to how I do mine Sharon but I'm going to have to give it a go to see if it gives a better finish or is easier than how I do it.

 

[Buckeye]

I have never used BLO as I have heard lots of horror stories about how it can self combust on rags or cloths that are discarded in the workshop, I might give it a go with a bucket of water to dump the cloths in.

Peter

 

[Woody]

All oils are flammable and a discarded oily rag will burst into flames if it is introduced to a flame just the same as wood shavings the easiest answer is don't introduce them to each other and enjoy using them all

 

[Grump]

Thanks Roy. I'll try his method and I assume briwax will work the same for the ends of the pen barrel?

I don't like it because it takes the feel of the wood away and makes it feel plasticy. I used it the other day on the plywood pen I did and the sanded plywood doesn't feel great. Also if you're doing a burr you might elect to use ca as rescue if it becomes gappy or cracked. But a nice piece of wood is best left with a more natural finish Imho

Make your mind up mister init?

 

[Buckeye]

All oils are flammable and a discarded oily rag will burst into flames if it is introduced to a flame just the same as wood shavings the easiest answer is don't introduce them to each other and enjoy using them all

i am not talking about introducing a flame, I am talking about self-combustion Spontaneous combustion of drying oils for wood sealing including linseed oil

Peter

 

[Walter]

We do seem to have endless debates and opinions expressed about CA and other finishes. Nothing wrong with that, but opinion is opinion and nothing more.

Here are some facts about CA which are intended to be helpful. Please feel free to correct me if any of them are wrong (but not just because they do not align with your opinion).

CA, if applied correctly puts a thin coat of acrylic material over the wooden substrate, it achieves a high gloss in a similar way to that by which French polish achieves a high gloss on grand pianos; by covering the wood with a thin coat of finish which can then be burnished.

CA is a very robust finish which will stand up to wear better than many other finishes.

CA is not the only way of achieving a high gloss finish.

CA is not the only way of achieving a hard wearing finish.

How you apply CA is of little consequence so long as you achieve an even coat.

How many coats you need to apply depends on the thickness of each application, how much of it you sand off again between applications and how thick a finish you want to achieve. Three coats can achieve a high gloss, so can ten.

Some people like to use CA with BLO. I don't. If it works for you then use it.

The fumes from CA are toxic and contain cyanide gas. This will only harm you if you breathe it in.

Woodworking respirators will not protect you from CA fumes they will draw the fumes in.

You can buy face masks that are rated for chemical fumes.

An extractor will draw the fumes away but make sure the exhaust from it is directed well away from you.

And now a suggestion:

One way of avoiding getting CA on the bushings is to take the blank off the mandrel and finish it between centres:

IMG_9391 by walter.hall, on Flickr

 

[rayf6604]

Make your mind up mister init?

well we can always be persuaded to try it again. There's almost as many descenting opinions as those who like it and I would still use ca in certain circumstances but a lovely piece of highly figured or grained wood I'd still use a wax finish. it's the lure of the mirror finish with ca that I find hard to achieve and, more importantly, keep with wax. I find the nice sheen you get with wax does dull after a short while. if anyone has any tips on how I can best achieve a longer lasting shine with wax I would appreciate your thoughts.