Introduction: Cyanoacrylate Cement

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About: I like to tinker, That is what I like to do. Sometimes I drop a rhyme, Along with a tool or two. I use what I have on-hand, I keep projects super simple. I do not need more stuff, What I do have is ample. Draf…

Introduction
Cyanoacrylate, aka Super or Krazy Glue, is a fast acting adhesive. It bonds pretty well with most surfaces, better with some than others. Here is an improvement to using Super / Krazy Glue alone.

In this instructable I will be introducing CA Cement, which is a combination of Super Glue and Baking Soda (aka: Sodium Bicarbonate). Baking Soda is an activator which makes CA dry more quickly as well as to increase strength. Besides creating a stronger bond it also is paintable, fills gaps, doesn’t shrink and able to be sanded.

I will be displaying 3 different uses with CA (Super Glue) and Baking Soda.

1) Build up a worn edge. (creating a berm)
2) Repair broken toy truck wheel.
3) Make a refill adapter.

Step 1: Materials & Tools

Materials:
1) Super or Krazy Glue and
2) Baking Soda.

Tools:
1) Straw,
2) Spoon, bowl or towel, (something to hold the Baking Soda)
3) File or sandpaper. (optional)

Skill Level:
Easy

Time to Complete:
5 – 10 minutes (depending on your project)

Now that you have your materials, let’s go explore what CA Cement can do.

Step 2: Spinning Microwave Tray

It started with 1 wheel falling off, then the 2nd wheel started falling off, when the all 3 wheels were falling off while heating food, it was time to replace the tray. I looked around but could not easily find a replacement tray. I used CA Cement to build up the edge that holds the wheels on the tray. The repair took about 10 mins and the wheels work perfectly, in other words they do not fall off. They are also quiet again. Before the repair there was a loud obnoxious monotone tenor singing through a straw screech. With the occasional clunking sound of a wheel falling of and then the tray spinning on the bottom of the over.

Materials:
1) Super or Krazy Glue,
2) Baking Soda and
3) File or Sand Paper.

This example is to build up a worn edge.
1) Apply some Super Glue around the area you want to build up,
2) Add some of the Baking Soda onto the glue,
3) Repeat 1 – 2 until the right height is reached,
4) Sand or file for a smooth finish.
5) Slide the wheels over the berm.

Now you are done.

Step 3: Broken Wheel Hub

What do you do when a beloved RC Truck wheel breaks off. If it is one of the cheap ones you repair it with CA Cement. The repair took about 10 min because of the close quarters. Since the repair, the truck has been smashed into the wall repeatedly ..., driven off the table repeatedly... and the back axle has been bent. The CA Cement repair is still holding strong.

Materials:
Super or Krazy Glue and Baking Soda

This example will encapsulate the break, creating a stronger repair.
Note: The overall repair is stronger when thin layers are applied. i.e. CA, BS, dry, CA, BS, dry, etc.
1) Apply some Super Glue to secure the wheel in place,
2) Apply some more Super Glue over the outside of the area you just secured,
3) Add some of Baking Soda onto the glue,
4) Repeat 2 – 3 until the area is covered with the “CA Cement”,
5) Sand or file for a smooth finish. (Optional)

Now you are done.

Step 4: Travel Toothpaste Adapter

My wife went on a business trip and she wanted to bring a travel size toothpaste tube, all we had was an mostly empty tube. We could not find anymore Tom's of Maine travel size tubes, so I said I could refill it, she looked at me and said, "Before Thursday?" I said, "Yes". CA Cement to the rescue and it only took 5 mins.

Materials:
1) 2 toothpaste caps
2) Super or Krazy Glue and
3) Baking Soda

This example will join plastics that would otherwise need a special epoxy. In other words it will encapsulate the seam, creating a strong bond to hold the ends together.
Note: The overall repair is stronger when thin layers are applied. i.e. CA, BS, dry, CA, BS, dry, etc.
1) Hold the caps together,
2) Apply some Super Glue around the edge you are joining,
3) Add some Baking Soda onto the glue,
4) Repeat 2 – 3 until the area is covered with the “CA Cement”,
5) Refill your travel Toothpaste tube.

Now you are done.

Step 5: Observations & Summary

If you can not find a replacement part or the glue is not bonding well. Use CA Cement to repair that toy, make an adapter, fill a gap. CA Cement is cheaper and not as smelly as Bondo or epoxies. I had previously made repairs by using Super Glue and plastic welding however they did not hold. But CA Cement has surpassed the those attempts. Try it for yourself.

The benefits of this design are:
1) Inexpensive, will fit within any budget,
2) No special tools or supplies needed,
3) Multiple applications - Build up an edge, Fill in gap, Bond items together,
4) Easy to work with - Paintable, does not shrink and able to be sanded.

Summary
I am satisfied with the results.

Hear advice, and receive instruction, so that you may be wise in your latter end.