Glue roller

[SkuttleFunk]

for some time now I've been looking for a good alternative for the old Woodcraft glue roller bottle I purchased years ago.

  I did not want to use a spreader card or trowel, and I wanted a semi-hard rubber roller that was able to be removed from its handle for easy clean-up. I talked with many places like Woodcraft, Rockler, etc ... they all noted that what I wanted would be cool, but that there was nothing they knew of that could be ordered from their suppliers

so this past weekend I was asked to assist my Boss to the art supply store so she could purchase canvasses for her school assignments this month. while she was rifling thru the unending size and construction options I decided to walk around and see what was there that could be repurposed for bass building. this is where I stumbled into the printing section and my search for a new glue roller ended

there on a shelf and available in many different sizes was an 'inking roller' which met all of my wishes - semi-hard rubber roller, easily removed for clean-up, relatively inexpensive, and (a plus I never thought of) it also included a pair of legs so it could be rested on the workbench while fitting a pair of freshly glued pieces together

here's one local source for these that also sells on-line

Abig Inking Rollers 60 mm Wide, 20 mm Thick

ahh ... another happy ending to a quest for a better tool!

all the best,

R

 

[Cagey]

Good info. Glad that worked out for you.

So... whaddaya use 'em for? Veneer?

 

[SkuttleFunk]

I use these whenever applying glue to a pair of surfaces, whether that be two edges of a body core or the surface between a body core and bookmatched top. The idea is to roll out the glue to a uniform covering that is worked into the wood pores. Unlike a spatula that can loosen wood fibers or particles on some wood types, rolling out the glue spreads it evenly without risk of contamination ... a small sliver doesn't weaken the joint, but itcould introduce an ugly glue line if it happens to occur right where your body edge is (think Maple neck lams or a Maple top on an Ash body)

Rolling our your glue will also help to reduce the amount of glue wasted (i.e. less squeeze out)

All the best,

R

 

[Cagey]

I see. I've always just used my fingers. No tear-outs, scoring or splintering, and fairly uniform. I doubt it's as consistent as the roller would be, though. Then, squeeze the snot out of it with a million clamps, and you've got a joint.

 

[SkuttleFunk]

I use a vacuum press for my sandwich glue ups. This gives superior results vs. Clamping, but the cost is that moisture must be minimized since it has no way to evaporate while in the bag. More (unnecessary) glue equals longer bag time

Also, when you glue several layers of 1/16" accent veneers onto a 15" x 22" body blank you can't afford to have lumpy wet glue that was slowly spread out. I also found that a scraper would shred a .04" Wenge accent veneer when using it to spread the glue ... hence my search for a better tool

All the best

R