Superglue and.. We all know that superglue (cyanoacrylate - CA) is great stuff, and many of us know that mixing in some baking soda makes it much stronger. "Fix This House" on YouTube...

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

We all know that superglue (cyanoacrylate - CA) is great stuff, and many of us know that mixing in some baking soda makes it much stronger. "Fix This House" on YouTube did a test of CA alone and mixed with other ingredients. He glued 1/4" pieces of plastic end-to-end, let the glue cure for a day. Then applied weight. CA and steel wool held about 97 lb, but the CA and baking soda supported even more weight. All the additives increased the strength of the bond well above CA alone.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6a5aArrmUo

BBurns Loc: South Bay, California

jerryc41 wrote:

We all know that superglue (cyanoacrylate - CA) is... (show quote)

I've been using this stuff since the late 60s.
Many may be interested in the history of Cyanoacrylate.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

BBurns wrote:

I've been using this stuff since the late 60s.
Many may be interested in the history of Cyanoacrylate.

Thanks. I remember reading about it being used in Vietnam. Fortunately, my brother didn't need it.

The only thing I don't like about it is that if I don't use it up quickly, it becomes unusable after a short time. Either the nozzle plugs up, or it hardens in the tube. The stuff I have now has been working for months, though.

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

jerryc41 wrote:

...The only thing I don't like about it is that if I don't use it up quickly, it becomes unusable after a short time. Either the nozzle plugs up, or it hardens in the tube. The stuff I have now has been working for months, though.

That's why a lot of manufacturers sell it in little tiny tubes designed for single use.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

DirtFarmer wrote:

That's why a lot of manufacturers sell it in little tiny tubes designed for single use.

Exactly!

It seems that many online people use Locktite. If I ever use up what I have, I'll try that.

badapple Loc: Twin Lake, Michigan

Thanks for the baking soda tip. Is there a “best” ratio for mixing? Refrigeration increases shelf life.

Bridges Loc: Memphis, Charleston SC, now Nazareth PA

jerryc41 wrote:

Thanks. I remember reading about it being used in Vietnam. Fortunately, my brother didn't need it.

The only thing I don't like about it is that if I don't use it up quickly, it becomes unusable after a short time. Either the nozzle plugs up, or it hardens in the tube. The stuff I have now has been working for months, though.

I started using it to fill in the cracks and/or pull wider splits together in my fingers when they split due to cold weather. I didn't think it would be harmful because there weren't dire warnings proclaiming death or destruction if used externally. It works great.

Later on, I found Vets use it on animals because so there are no stitches for the animal to claw out.

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

I have heard that it is sometimes used for human surgery also.

rcurrie Loc: Kingsport, TN

It was used to close my skin after open heart surgery-almost no scar.

DougS Loc: Central Arkansas

Two tips I figured out ... How to prevent glues from setting up after opening (glues & super glues!)! You will be AMAZED AT THE DIFFERENCE!
1. Place the opened tube (replace the cap) in a Ziplock bag, remove as much air as possible, then seal.
2. Even better: get/keep a roll of METAL DUCT TAPE, you can tear off a small piece to cover the open end of tubes of glue. Screw the lid back on, which seals the tube even better, then place in a 'Zip Lock' bag!

SteveFranz Loc: Durham, NC

Bridges wrote:

I started using it to fill in the cracks and/or pull wider splits together in my fingers when they split due to cold weather. I didn't think it would be harmful because there weren't dire warnings proclaiming death or destruction if used externally. It works great.

Later on, I found Vets use it on animals because so there are no stitches for the animal to claw out.

As I age my fingernails are getting brittle and prone to cracking & splitting. I have found that superglue works great to prevent cracking, splitting nails. I used to use clear nail polish, but superglue is much more effective.

Tote1940 Loc: Dallas

In early 60’s it came out surgical glue. Great at skin but some Surgeons had gloves or instruments stuck wrong places.
Have some on my tummy after hernia op,

Tote1940 Loc: Dallas

Did not realize there are multiple versions not counting added ingredients
FrommWikipedia

Specific cyanoacrylates include methyl 2-cyanoacrylate (MCA), ethyl 2-cyanoacrylate (ECA, commonly sold under trade names such as "Super Glue" and "Krazy Glue"), n-butyl cyanoacrylate (n-BCA), octyl cyanoacrylate, and 2-octyl cyanoacrylate (used in medical, veterinary and first aid applications).

Silversleuth Loc: San Francisco Bay Area

Storing your CA glue in the freezer prolongs it's life. It doesn't freeze, not even the thin variety, but the cold temperature keeps the stuff from clogging up it will last longer.

Joecosentino Loc: Whitesboro, New York

We have been use glue to close wounds in the operating room for years.