Best glue for tips

J

john coloccia

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I usually use Hot Stuff medium, simply because I've been using Hot Stuff for many decades and it's always been reliable. What's the latest and greatest for tip installations?

Thanks!

edit:
If it makes a difference, I've always used non-layered tips. I've had a pro install layered tips, simply because I don't have any here. I forsee installing mostly layered tips now, though, if it makes a difference.

I never score it. I just sand the bottom on some sandpaper on a granite surface plate. SHOULD I be scoring them? I've never had a failure, but maybe best practices for layered tips are different? I also don't do anything to the ferrule other than scraping it flat with a razor blade. I tried the tip sander thing, but it just seems to butcher things and I just have to flatten it by hand anyhow. Should I be doing anything special to prepare the ferrule?

Thanks again.
 
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No one has an opinion on glues? I even did a search, and got tired of scrolling after 5 or 6 pages. No one seems to mention it, or I'm not using the right magic words.
 


I've had the best success using loctite 254. During the summer months when tip business falls off I started using loctite control gel which is almost as good but not nearly as expensive when so much is being thrown away. I've read where the loctite 401 is supposed to be better but I don't like it as well as the loctite gel.

Dick
 
rhncue said:


I've had the best success using loctite 254. During the summer months when tip business falls off I started using loctite control gel which is almost as good but not nearly as expensive when so much is being thrown away. I've read where the loctite 401 is supposed to be better but I don't like it as well as the loctite gel.

Dick
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What's 254 and 401? I've never heard of those. A quick search didn't bring anything up. To be fair, I've never had a failure with Hot Stuff. I just happen to have it around all the time because of the other work I do, but I know some of the layered tips, especially hard ones, can be finicky.

Thanks again!
 
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I'm also a fan of the Loctite Pro. The only thing negative about it is the nozzle always goes bad before the glue does. Tommy D.
 
I put tips on for many years for others, and also for myself (40 +). I've always used Super Glue Gel (tho 40 years ago it wasn't yet available), you can get it at the dollar store. If you face the tip and the ferrule surface properly, with a ''scratch coat'' that's no more aggressive than 180 grit sand paper that'll do it. I've NEVER had a tip come off. Key is once both surfaces are wet from the gel, center tip and drop the shaft tip Once on a hard surface, as to ''burp'' thus removing any air bubbles between the two surfaces. You'll then notice a slight ''muffing top'' extrusion of gel that extrudes between surfaces. Let it be....your done, put the shaft in a vertical position to dry, but first check to ''make sure'' it's centered by rotating it. Leave it overnight. I learned the drop/tip method from a pool room owner years ago. Clamps....waste of time with these new glues.
 
john coloccia said:
What's 254 and 401? I've never heard of those. A quick search didn't bring anything up. To be fair, I've never had a failure with Hot Stuff. I just happen to have it around all the time because of the other work I do, but I know some of the layered tips, especially hard ones, can be finicky.

Thanks again!
Click to expand...
Here is 401. It's very unforgiving if you make an error
 

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I don't think there's much to compare, really. Either it works or it doesn't. "Best" would be your personal favorite, for whatever reason. Some set quicker & some require a little more time, but if the end result is that the tip stays on, then it's as good as it can be.
 
qbilder said:
I don't think there's much to compare, really. Either it works or it doesn't. "Best" would be your personal favorite, for whatever reason. Some set quicker & some require a little more time, but if the end result is that the tip stays on, then it's as good as it can be.
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Wrong. If it takes a 300 pound gorilla to pull the tip off with one glue, and it takes a 400 pound gorilla to pull the tip off with another glue, the one requiring the 400 pound gorilla is clearly best. :)

I had hell training that gorilla so I could determine the best glue... :eek:
 
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MVPCues said:
Wrong. If it takes a 300 pound gorilla to pull the tip off with one glue, and it takes a 400 pound gorilla to pull the tip off with another glue, the one requiring the 400 pound gorilla is clearly best. :)

I had hell training that gorilla so I could determine the best glue... :eek:
Click to expand...

I eat crow yet again :speechless: Those gosh dang gorrillas:kma:
 
Tommy-D said:
I'm also a fan of the Loctite Pro. The only thing negative about it is the nozzle always goes bad before the glue does. Tommy D.
Click to expand...

I use hot stuff because I buy the tips in quantity (cheap) and just replace them as needed. That said, tap the bottom on your bench and squeeze the bottle when you are done. Most of the glue will drop down, and what doesn't will blow out the top for quick cleanup. Bet you get through most of the bottle doing it like this.
 
Sam's Club has a killer deal on a 4-pack Loctite right now.
Two thin and two gel for less than $10.
 
Thanks again, everyone! I'll try the gel and/or the professional. In my other life, I build guitars and others things like that, so flattening things with precision is not really much of a problem for me, even by hand, but I like that the gel won't run out everywhere...much easier when it comes time to trim things. I never would have considered it as I've only ever used "medium" CA on tips.

I'm glad I asked. Thanks!!
 
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