Glue application tool

[Mike Y]

Trying to find a way to carefully apply a tiny bit of PVA-based carpenter glue. Tried to use a small stick, needle, toothpic, results are not that good. It's hard to control the size of a glue drop, and if you need to apply glue in lots of places - it takes quite some time if you do it drop by drop.

Tried to use a syringe, but even in a special glue syringe the needle is not wide enough to let the PVA flow.

 

What is the trick? How do you carefully apply a PVA, which is not as liquid as a CA-based glue?

Edited April 10, 2014 by Mike Y

[Tarjack]

Hi Mike,

 

I do the glue on a small disk and from there I take the glue with a narrow blade

[bear]

Hi

 

Try a croche hook's for a glue aplicator. They come in very small hook sizes. They work great for either Ca or PVA glues. Also can be used on glues for plastic models.

 

I use a number 13 for small areas.

 

Keith

[Mike Y]

Hi

 

Try a croche hook's for a glue aplicator. They come in very small hook sizes. They work great for either Ca or PVA glues. Also can be used on glues for plastic models.

 

I use a number 13 for small areas.

 

Keith

 

Thanks for advice! But maybe I'm missing something, but how exactly you do use it? It looks like just another toothpic/needle, "some thin object". The problem is that you can't have a lot of glue on it, otherwise the glue drop would be very big and messy.

 

Robert, my PVA dries quite quickly, so if I put it on a disk or plate - it lasts for a few minutes..

[3qq]

Mike: yapışkanın viskozitesi Sulama gerekir Geliştirmek icin.

[Ulises Victoria]

Get needles of different sizes. They go from tiny to very large. Cut or grind the eye in half to get a U shaped tool. You will not find one tool to cover all your needs, I'm afraid.

[gjdale]

As Brian says, thinning with some water will help with spreading it. I generally put a small amount of PVA into an old egg cup and then add any water I need to thin it to the right consistency for the job at hand. I use a toothpick for applying small amounts, and a paint brush for larger areas. Just be sure to wash the paint brush before the glue dries in it.

[Mike Y]

But thinning PVA with water will increase the glue activation time and reduce the strength of the glued joint, right? 

[WBlakeny]

I use a syringe of 5ml, with a rather big needle. The glue is not diluted and i've kept the cap of the needle.

After using it or refilling, i put on the cap, an i can keep the glue for days (weeks) in the syringe.

 

It's proved very useful for controlling the glue.

[Mahuna]

I put a small amount of PVA glue in an old plastic bottle top, then I use a very small artist's brush to apply the glue - size 1 or smaller.  I keep a jar of water by my side and rinse the brush after each application, so that the glue doesn't harden on the brush.  The brush lets you spread the glue to a nice, even film.  I generally apply the glue to both surfaces to be joined.  When the remaining glue in the bottle top stiffens too much I discard the bottle top and grab another one.  (We go through a lot of water bottles on a regular basis, and I save the tops - so I have a never-ending supply of glue containers).

 

I've found the 4 oz Babe-Bot Glue Bottle be a great way to store glue and to dispense it in very small amounts (into my bottle cap).

 

http://www.highlandwoodworking.com/babe-botgluebottle4oz.aspx

 

 

Frank

[Mike Y]

Thanks Frank, that sounds interesting!

[gjdale]

A very small drop of water will help the glue flow without significantly changing it's properties. Experiment a little and you will see what I mean. More diluted forms (eg 50/50 glue/water) is useful when working with rigging components, stiffening lines etc.

[augie]

Grant is correct ..... diluting the glue doesn't effect the strength very much but it does slow the drying time.  I use the 'u' shaped needle tool described above or a sharpened toothpick.  I sharpen and clean the toothpick on a sanding block if the glue starts to build up and dry.

[Q A's Revenge]

Have a look, bound to be something suitable!

 

http://www.shop4glue.com/applicators-nozzles-bottles-sprays-and-caps-38-c.asp

[captainbob]

I found this plastic syringe at a drugstore in the baby supply area and have used it for years.  I fill it with Titebond II.  I had to cut a little off the tip to get the size I wanted.  The orange cap is a protector from the end of a wire.

 

Bob

 

[themadchemist]

The Admiral works in an OR so access to medical supplies is easy for me.
I personally use a 10 mL control syringe with a 19 gauge needle that has the sharp end cut blunt. I cap it after use and it keeps well.
The 19 gauge needle allows PVA flow and easy applications.