Not All CA is Created Equal, it seems

[Mark from Ashland]

After using drug store super glue many times I had nearly given up on the stuff. Super glues didn't seem to stick to very many surfaces, didn't set for many minutes, and then were unlikely to bond well anyway. Some types of plastic did bond well, but I could never be sure.

Then I bought a bottle of titebond CA which was the gel stuff. It bonded to at least one plastic that drugstore CA wouldn't touch. It always seems to work. Not the same as drugstore stuff! Also bonds fingers MUCH better than drugstore variety...

So I take it not all CA is the same stuff. I have just ordered a bottle of medium from stewmac. I couldn't find accelerator for sale there, and they state bonding times like 1-3 seconds, so who needs it... but maybe I am still CA Naive.

Any advice on what to expect from various CAs or what I should buy? I want to have some in the shop for incidental use.

[Kyle Barbour]

Ca from harbor freight is inexpensive and has work well for me in the past. I also like the small tubes they come in, if you spill it not such a mess.

[ken cierp]

I use Jet CA which I also use for RC model airplane and it is what they use at the Taylor factory. I also like the house brands distributed by Bob Smith industries. Tower Hobby CA (Build-it) brand is very good I use their epoxy as well.

[Mark from Ashland]

Thanks, guys,
I'll probably look into the Jet stuff. This will be a new thing, having CA that wouldn't pop off if touched with a scraper.

[Dave Bagwill]

Mark - Al's Hobby shop in downtown Medford - on Central, between 5th and 6th - has a good line of CA's that I've been using for years now.
Dave

[Ken Hundley]

I bought a 10 pack from the local convenience store....stuff hardly glued anything, and 7 out of the 10 tubes were empty. Whaddayawant for a buck?

[Jackspt28]

I have been using Zap brand from Pacer . Its R/C model airplane CA, I really like the Thin (pink bottle) and the Medium(green bottle). I have used it for over 10 years in my RC hobby. Keeps very well in the refridgerator, I store the extra bottles there . Also the thin applicator tips that go on the bottle are great for the thin stuff to controll the application. They make a spray activator that makes the glue dry instantly, although watch if you get it on your hands ,when the glue kicks off it can cause burns. Pacer Industries makes the Z-poxy finishing resin that many guitar builders use to pore fill grain. As stated by Ken the Bob Smith brand and the Jet brand are also very good. Stay away from the dollar store junk it doesnt work.Good Luck , JAck.