15

Keeping Glue Fresh

by JoAnne Green.
(Marion, Alabama USA)

I was recently complaining that my 2 fluid oz. of E6000 was less than half used and was no longer fluid. A friend suggested that I try a cotter pin as a plug. Cotter pins come in a huge selection of sizes, so can be used as a plug for any size container. For years I have been throwing away dried out tubes of glue and the solution was right in my non-jewelry tool box. And if the right size had not been there, I could always beg one off a friend.

For those who do not know what a cotter pin is, I have provided two pictures. One is of the cotter pin itself, the other is of the pin in the neck of the tube of glue. Please note that since these pins are meant to be removable, they have a good place to grip.

I suggest using a pair of pliers, bent needle nose work best for me, to remove all the dried glue on the outside of the neck of the tube before removing the cotter pin. I did not the first time and ended up with all this lovely fluid glue spurting out.

JoAnne Green

Comments:

Who’d have thought!
by: Lynda

Thanks, JoAnne, for this great tip. Time to go diving into my husband’s tool chest again.

Making glue last longer
by: Rena

JoAnne, you always have such great tips!

I love the idea of the cotter pin since it’s easy to get a grip on.

My Mom said she’s heard of people using a screw for this, but the cotter pin is better because it would be much easier to get back out of the glue tube.

Thank you for sharing this great glue-saving tip with us.

GREAT
by: monecar

Simply fabulous! I have thrown away so many 1/2 used tubes of E6000 – but no more. Many thanks!

Another thought
by: Ann Nolen

I use E6000 glue often, and it always was a gooey mess. Then one day I used a baby wipe to clean it off and it worked perfect. I use the Costco brand ones for all kinds of cleanup, even though all the kids are grown and out of the house!
Since I have started doing this, I also just set the tube on a piece of foil to let the glue gravity feed out. I use a toothpick to scoop up what I need to put on the jewelry bails. A quick rub with a baby wipe, put the lid back on, and it is in perfect shape to use the next time. I am able to use the tube to the last drop.
Ann at AnimalCoin.com

Keeping glue fresh
by: Chrissie

Something else that works well is a golf tee

Happy day!