ACC applicator

Hey guys!
I've had a glue applicator that I've had for a while which is one of those metal tubes which supposedly capalaray action collects the glue in the tube for transfer to the part. I'm here to tell you it doesn't work for long, the glue hardens in the tube and you spend lots of time cleaning the hardened glue out. I got tired of futzing with it and tossed it. I've tried using a toothpick with moderate success, it was one of the coated colored ones. I've never had any luck with natural wood ones and glue. So what do you guys use to apply ACC?

2slim

 

I've used pins... The pointy tip seems pretty good for applying a minute amount of ACC.

I also like using natural wood toothpicks in some situations... The porosity is great for soaking up excess ACC so you don't accidentally flood an area.

 

Pins that a seamstress uses to pin up your pants to shorten them. They are small enough and will not puncture your thumb when pushing from the correct end.

 

Just read a tip about this that I haven't tried yet.

Apparently the glue will often 'ball' a little way up from the tip of a pin. They suggest getting a sewing needle and file/grind the eye end till you have a mini-fork. That will hold a small drop of ACC where you want it.

I guess you could have a set of different size needles for different jobs.

Blunting the pointy end might be a good idea too

 

I use the tip of a common pin to apply the ACC.

I've used this technique of applying the ACC for many years.


Stay cool and run steam...

 

Same here--ordinary common pin. If the glue hardens on it, I just throw it away.

I use a lot of Faller glue for plastics. Comes with small diameter metal tubing that often clogs. A piece of .0015 piano wire cleans it right out. ACC is harder stuff. I buy tubes at the dollar store, and throw them away when it gets bothersome to keep the nozzles open.

 

I use a straight pin. I cut off the head, and put it in a pinvise. I have an old small needle file.. when the thing gets gooped w/ glue, I file it down. Couple of times a week. Takes less than 15 seconds.

When the pin gets weak from filing, I toss it... and put in a new one. This has worked for me for years. I use the same pin in the pinvise to poke holes in stuff, pry small flat peices up when they are too small for my fingers, reach into small places and manipulate things.... and even... yes even dig out splinters!

Along w/ my head loupes, the pin is something I probably use everyday whether I am gluing something or not.

 

Kitbash,
Great Idea! In fact I've got a pinvise that is too small to really do any serious drilling that I will use just for this! Thanks! I also like the idea of using the pin for other things, I have used a straight pin as a starter for drilling holes in plastic so the bit doesn't wander.

2slim

 

I use common pins to apply the ACC. It is the best applicator available and is reusable.

Stay cool and run steam....

 

I often use a paperclip. It's longer than a pin, and you can bend it to reach difficult places. As an added bonus, it doesn't have a point that can stab you if you get a bit careless.

 

Try this it works well for applyong glue http://www.nscalesupply.com/TEN/TEN.html

Alan

 

Yes but common pins or the longer pins you use to hold foam temporarily in place are very easy to use and can be reused over and over.

You just scrape the dry ACC off the pin with an Exacto.

Stay cool and run steam.....

 

Yes, They are awesome, but they are not for CA glues. They are for solvent type glues, such as Tenax, only. It comes with a warning in the instructions not to use for CA's, they will just harden in the tube and render it useless. One of the best uses I have found for them though is applying CA accelerants. It allows you to just place a small drop of the kicker on the joint instead of having to spray half the model with it like you do if using the spray bottles it normally comes in.