Super glue dilemma

[Pat B]

I've noticed over the last few months that tubes(bottles) of super glue(liquid) looks more like gel, thickened in the unopened tube. This is Lock-Tite and Gorilla super glue. Before I started looking at each bottle in the store to be sure, some of what I had at home was solid in the unopened bottle.
 I guess my point is...if you do go out and if you do buy super glue check each bottle carefully to be sure it is actually liquid(watery).

[stuckinthemud]

Yup, been caught out by that one!  I buy the really cheap multi-pack tubes now, effectively they are a single use tube as they have always dried out by the next time I need them (after opening) but they are something like 65p per tube so I can live with that as I only use ca for closing up splits and shakes.

[PEARL DRUMS]

Cant believe it! Last night I opened a brand new package/ bottle of Loc Tite and it was gelled up. I have used dozens of bottles and never have seen that. Makes me wonder if they produced a bad batch.

[Pat B]

It's been going on for a few months here, Pearlie. I wonder what the shelf life is on super glue.
 I had someone offer me a quart one time. There was no way I could have used that much and I didn't want that quantity sitting around in a glass jar. Sounded like trouble to me    so I said no.
 Stuck, I may try the small tubes next time.

[DC]

I get mine from the local hobby shop. The idea being that they have a higher volume so the glue will be fresher. It comes in .5 and 1 oz bottles($8 and $11). Once I get it home it stays open until it's gone. Usually 2-3 months. The bottles have a very narrow tip so there is just a needle sized opening.

[Pat B]

DC, these small bottles of Lock Tite and Gorilla glue super glue all have pin sized holes in them. I get them either from WalMart , Lowes or our local ACE Hdwe.

[DC]

Way back when I was playing with racing R/C sailboats the other guys used the little Lock Tite type tubes and they always seemed to be gelled or clogged. I read somewhere about using hobby shop CA because it's fresher. I've never looked back. I guess it costs a little(a lot?) more but it always seems to be good.

[Pat B]

My closest Hobby Lobby is an hour drive away. 

[DC]

I think CA is in the "dangerous shipping" category too. If our hobby shop closes the nearest is a six hour return trip. Hope it makes it through pandemic.

[sleek]

I just buy the gel type stuff anyway for overlays and such. What are yall using the liquid for?

[Del the cat]

In the UK I buy my low viscosity superglue on line (Ebay). Most of the over the counter stuff is over priced and thick or medium viscosity.
Thick for overlays, thin for cracks etc.
Del

[darinputman]

I get the 10 pack at Harbor Freight for around $3.00, buy several packs at a time and no problems with it yet.

[Pat B]

I use the thin for cracks and knots. I use gel and other glues for tip overlays.

[DC]

I use the thin for cracks and knots. I use gel and other glues for tip overlays.

+1

[jeffp51]

I think CA is in the "dangerous shipping" category too. If our hobby shop closes the nearest is a six hour return trip. Hope it makes it through pandemic.

Na--I just ordered a 2 ounce bottle online, no problem.  I believe most of the superglue in the world is produced by one or two manufacturers,  so the only difference from brand to brand is the bottle.  I use Bob Smith industries glue- it keeps well.

Also, CA glue is sensitive to heat.  so ideally you should store it in the freezer.  Some I know store a big bottle in the freezer and transfer .5 oz at a time to a smaller bottle.  but if you are keeping your CA in a hot garage, it is going to thicken up.