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Will CA glue work on cedar. I have been trying to use it with out any success. What am I missing.

Help
Dave

What are you trying to glue Dave? Binding?

I was going to use CA during the rosette install. Tried a little in the corner of the soundboard to make sure it didn't stain and I get anything to stick to it.

I'm stumped.

Dave

Dave-
I've found the same thing when trying to use CA to quickly tack together pieces of softwood for 'quick and dirty' jigs and the like.
There are several things going on, I think...this is just my very limited experience...
-the CA is being wicked away by the very absorbent softwood
-the CA cures at very different rates in different woods - some woods it's instant set (IRW) and some it seems to take forever (fir, cedar) - so when I 'test' the joint the CA hasn't set.

I've used CA for rosettes- it's a good idea to pre-coat the inside of the 'channel' with a thin coat of shellac to keep the CA from wicking too far and possibly staining the topwood. I use quite a bit of CA- eventually, I basically 'flood' the rosette - and it does seem to hold. If you are putting a 'doubler' under the rosette later (a good idea, IMO), you can pre-drill a series of small holes in the bottom of the rosette channel. Before installing the doubler you can flood CA in, from the 'back' of the rosette- good insurance.

You have the right idea- lots of testing before you 'commit yourself' with the top and rosette. Get a cedar 2x4 and some scraps and get the 'system' worked out.....

Cheers
John

I have used it to install rosettes in Cedar, with no problem. As John says, seal with shellac, flood with CA, and leave it for a while.

_________________
David White, Toronto

"All my favourite singers can't sing."

Cedar can wick the CA away so quickly, there's nothing much left for the joint. Could be what's happening...
Also... I have had it stain darker brown cedar a horrible pee yellow. Not nice. Seal well before pouring on the glue.