Superglue removal

Where is the plug in relation to the end of the tube?

If it's heated to maybe 200C, it will degrade the rubber, and perhaps melt it. You might also consider drilling it out. Heating to high temperatures will damage the temper of the aluminium, and make it less able to withstand bending. This isn't important if it's at the end of a pole, but if it's in the middle, it may cause it to crumple.

Isn't Superglue water soluble?

Brian

Erm, no. No, it isn't.

The plug - more accurately described as an expanding wedge, like the things in tripod legs - is sealing one end of the tube. I'd rather salvage the plug for re-use.

How brittle are Superglue bonds? I had wondered about tapping the outside of the tube around the glued area - a bit like trying to separate bits of a car exhaust system.

Rgds Richard

Worked for me when I wanted to remove some. Soaked the thing in water for a few hours and the glue was pretty easily removed

Brian

Some of the really cheap stuff certainly seems to be... ;)

I'm not sure what the formulation of the Wurth branded "Superglue" I have here is, but that doesn't appear to deteriorate under water - not yet anyway...

Lee

I'd first try taking a rod a little smaller than the plug, and trying gently hammering round the edge of the tube, to drive the edges up a bit, and break the bond. This may or may not work. Can you get the other end of the tube open,so you can slide something down?

Probably not going to work. The glue is not that brittle, you may break bits of it, but most will stay bonded, unless you utterly destroy the tube.

Wasn't 'Superglue' then. Superglue is cyanoacrylate based. This is not, under any circumstances water soluble. That's why you can use it to repair broken teapots.

It's quite possible it was PVA (polyvinyl acetate). Partially polymerised PVA will dissolve in water.

I think it is water soluble at around 250C, under rather a lot of pressure. I'm sure I heard about this as a means of removing CA, but can't remember the context.

Ok, that's fair enough, but so is steel!

Acetone, or better still nitromethane (try specialist car tuning places)are the two solvents of choice for debonding CA.

No.

Responses to various, helpful, suggestions:

Running a rod through the open end of the tube and tapping the plug sounds worth a try.

As to Accetone; I think that SWMBO may have some, so I'll try that as well.. What is nitromethane commonly found in? Sounds not unlike Nitromors? If that is the case I suspect that it will eat some or all of the plastic parts of the plug. This won't be a problem if I can buy a replacement from Lecki - an avenue that I haven't investigated as yet.

Ta

Richard

This on one of the very few mentions of Wurth I've seen in this group. I'm not connected with them except as a customer but they produce really good quality stuff especially screws which are the best I've seen.

They are supposedly trade only but if you buy enough they don't seem to mind. Stuff is sold through local reps and delivered next day. You need to open an account.

Fairly crap online catalogue is here

Leki replacement plugs are readily available if you need to drill it out.

Phil

In article , Richard Savage writes

Model shops are a good source of several varieties of cyanoacrylate adhesives, from extra runny to gap filling, so I imagine they would have removers too. They might have advice as well.

And thus the problem of Superglue removal disappeared.! Next problem: suppliers of spare parts for Leki poles!

Thanks Phil

Superglue is hygroscopic, and degrades over time.

Bob

Acetone is a solvent for superglue, and is found in nail varnish remover. Unfortunately, the missis handed me a bottle of acetone free nailvarnish remover, and it didn't work too well...

Bob