Handling 3M-10 Contact Cement

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slk3q

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Hello,

I'm about to install the cloth on my Diamond Professional using RKC's 3M-10 glue method. Some of the posts in this forum are making me more nervous about the safety of using this glue. I will wear a respirator when I do it and I'm planning on doing it when my family is out of the house. Will it be enough when I am done to open all of the windows in the house to get rid of the fumes? I left the windows open for 30 minutes after using Bondo on the seams and that was enough to get rid of the smell. How long will 3M-10 continue to smell and be a danger? How do you do a pool hall full of tables without killing everyone!?

Also, can I store the leftover 3M-10 in a mason jar instead of the original paint can?

Thanks,
Jason
 
slk3q said:
Hello,

I'm about to install the cloth on my Diamond Professional using RKC's 3M-10 glue method. Some of the posts in this forum are making me more nervous about the safety of using this glue. I will wear a respirator when I do it and I'm planning on doing it when my family is out of the house. Will it be enough when I am done to open all of the windows in the house to get rid of the fumes? I left the windows open for 30 minutes after using Bondo on the seams and that was enough to get rid of the smell. How long will 3M-10 continue to smell and be a danger? How do you do a pool hall full of tables without killing everyone!?

Also, can I store the leftover 3M-10 in a mason jar instead of the original paint can?

Thanks,
Jason
Click to expand...

Jason,

Just keep good cross ventilation and you'll be fine. 3M 10 has no more fumes then any other solvent based contact cement. The 3M 10 is an industrial product and you should read the instructions, from the level of care you have already demonstrated I'm sure you'll be fine working with the glue.

Jay
 
slk3q said:
Hello,

I'm about to install the cloth on my Diamond Professional using RKC's 3M-10 glue method. Some of the posts in this forum are making me more nervous about the safety of using this glue. I will wear a respirator when I do it and I'm planning on doing it when my family is out of the house. Will it be enough when I am done to open all of the windows in the house to get rid of the fumes? I left the windows open for 30 minutes after using Bondo on the seams and that was enough to get rid of the smell. How long will 3M-10 continue to smell and be a danger? How do you do a pool hall full of tables without killing everyone!?

Also, can I store the leftover 3M-10 in a mason jar instead of the original paint can?

Thanks,
Jason
Click to expand...

Mason jars is all I store it in, it'll never go bad that way.

Glen
 
slk3q said:
Hello,

I'm about to install the cloth on my Diamond Professional using RKC's 3M-10 glue method. Some of the posts in this forum are making me more nervous about the safety of using this glue. I will wear a respirator when I do it and I'm planning on doing it when my family is out of the house. Will it be enough when I am done to open all of the windows in the house to get rid of the fumes? I left the windows open for 30 minutes after using Bondo on the seams and that was enough to get rid of the smell. How long will 3M-10 continue to smell and be a danger? How do you do a pool hall full of tables without killing everyone!?

Also, can I store the leftover 3M-10 in a mason jar instead of the original paint can?

Thanks,
Jason
Click to expand...

i would be more worried about getting on my skin, clothes, table etc....
it tends to get everywhere and is nasty stuff once it contacts

smell goes away in a day or so once dry.

remember with glue you only get one chance so make sure you have proper stretch pattern and you know how to finish the side pockets ....

if you have the DVD's you should be fine...
 
3m 10

Hi, Jason.

As I am just learning to work on pool tables, I have only done one glue down cloth installation. That job was not fun. However, I built custom cabinets for 40 years, and have a great deal of experience with contact adhesive. I will offer my advice based on that. From your post, I surmise that you have no experience with it.

If that is the case, you will be taking a big risk.

Here are the negatives:

1. Contact adhesive is extremely difficult to remove from wood, and moderately difficult to remove from slate.

2. It will be virtually impossible to remove from billiard cloth without damage to same.

3. It is extremely messy and sticks to everything. The more you handle your cloth, the greater likelihood you will get adhesive on it in places you don't want it.

4. The adhesive and most solvents commonly used in conjunction with it are highly flammable. (Pilot lights in gas appliances have been the undoing of many contact adhesive users.)

5. For a beginner, staple installation is so much easier and much more risk free.

6. The pros in the videos make glue down look easy. Without training and some experience, it isn't easy.

Good luck to you.

Joe Everett
 
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I have used contact cement before, but I don't have significant experience with it. What is the big risk I am taking? Do you think it is a health risk and/or a risk of ruining my cloth or table. Any suggestions for getting it right or keeping it safe?

It looked like you were going to post some more info after the "Here are the negatives:" part. I appreciate any advice or info.

Thanks,
Jason
 
3m 10

Jason,

I inadvertantly posted before I was finished. I think the entire post is there now.

The big risk is failure to be able to do a good clean job or possible damage to the cloth and table. The health and flammability risks can be minimized.

jfe
 
The risks you take from handling the solvents are probably worth it.

I glued a set of cushions using an eco-friendly fume-free formulation of a well known quality contact cement. What a disaster. Rubber came loose within 6 months of light use.

Open a window, keep fire and sparks away, everything should be OK.
 
It's going to be about 32 degrees F and windy outside when I do this (Northern Utah). I was planning on installing the cloth with the windows closed so that the room doesn't get too cold (the contact cement wants 65 degrees or higher). I will be wearing a respirator with cartridges for organics and the rest of my family will be out of the house. When I'm done, I was planning to open all the windows for an hour to clear out the fumes (it worked for the Bondo smell). Does that sound like it will work or should I open the windows despite the cold?

Thanks,
Jason
 
My phone don't have any reception where I'm located right now, I'm rebuilding an old Diamond camel pro tour 9ft, what a mess. I won't be done here until monday.
 
For someone who doesnt use it daily or weekly, I wouldn't worry about any health concerns. I would be more worried about not applying enough glue or applying too much glue, which can turn disasterous. The smell of the glue goes away fast and I think the smell of bondo lingers around way longer. I just bought a resperator just because I am getting alot more calls now, I am exposed to it more. After being exposed to Hydrazine, MEK, Turco and other strong chemicals over the years in aircraft maintenance, 3m Contact Cement is pretty weak.
 
Thanks for the insight. Any tips on applying just the right amount of glue? I've got a short (3/16") nap 3" roller that I am planning to use.
 
i perfer 1/4 nap. I have tried the adhesive rollers which i believe are 3/16 but went back to a 1/4 nap. I buy 9 in rollers and cut them into 3 in rollers.

I was lucky to have one of the best mechanics in the business set up my table (SDBilliards) and I watched him apply the glue. He also calls me every now and then if hes close to my area to see if I want to come out and work on a table with him.

At that time, I was just a player tired of playing on crappy equipment and wondering why some tables play different than others. Well this Mechanics section gave me the knowledge to learn how to setup a great playing table. I started just doing tables for close friends of mine and then, I got to redo some tables at my local pool hall where I play. Then I started getting more calls from the local population all by word of mouth.

I enjoy working on tables and seeing customers reactions after their tables are done. I also dont do it for a living but I also dont step into another real table mechanics territory. Just tired of the local hacks here in Lancaster,CA.
 
On RKCs recommendation, I bought a 9" 3/16" nap roller from Lowe's and cut it up into 3" sections. It isn't an adhesive specific roller (I saw those for sale online), so I imagine it will work basically the same as your 1/4" nap roller. I'll be putting the cloth on this weekend, I'll make sure to post details on how it went (if I don't ignite the fumes of the 3M-10 and blow my house to bits!).

Thanks for all the tips.
 
slk3q said:
On RKCs recommendation, I bought a 9" 3/16" nap roller from Lowe's and cut it up into 3" sections. It isn't an adhesive specific roller (I saw those for sale online), so I imagine it will work basically the same as your 1/4" nap roller. I'll be putting the cloth on this weekend, I'll make sure to post details on how it went (if I don't ignite the fumes of the 3M-10 and blow my house to bits!).

Thanks for all the tips.
Click to expand...

Good luck with it. I you have any questions you can pm me, or give me a call too. I like the 3/16 nap roller covers as well. I think the adhesive rollers put too much glue on the cloth when using them. I have used the adhesive rollers in the past to do cushion installs and like them better for that.
 
slk3q said:
It's going to be about 32 degrees F and windy outside when I do this (Northern Utah). I was planning on installing the cloth with the windows closed so that the room doesn't get too cold (the contact cement wants 65 degrees or higher). I will be wearing a respirator with cartridges for organics and the rest of my family will be out of the house. When I'm done, I was planning to open all the windows for an hour to clear out the fumes (it worked for the Bondo smell). Does that sound like it will work or should I open the windows despite the cold?

Thanks,
Jason
Click to expand...

You will be fine. Get the dogs and cats out of the area (sometimes people forget this).
 
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