New tool.........new to me anyway

[DWest]

I was sitting around watching it rain today and came up with an idea that seems to work well for applying glue to hard to reach places. I found a dry ink pen, which is easy to do around here, and took it apart. I pulled the end from the ink tube, rinsed the tube out with warm water, and inserted a toothpick into it. Then I put the thing back together, tried it out and really liked it. It seems to be much easier to handle than simply using a toothpick. I took a few pictures of it in case anyone else would like to try it

[missileer]

That is a very neat idea! I use a dental pic, but the ends are always curved. Thus, sometimes it is a bit awkward. This would certainly fill in the gap. I will have to try it. Thanks,

John

[C9B]

Cool idea. I was sitting around in the same rain and nothing came to me.

[airdave]

So...you invented a toothpick holder?
LOL
but you're calling it a glue applicator.
LOLLER

A mechanical pencil works the same way...it holds lead, but could hold a toothpck.
A Hand Drill works the same way...with a vise that can hold drill bits...or toothpicks!

But, I, like you, have a crap load of empty pens that I never seem to throw away.
Repurposing those pens seems like an excellent idea!

I use a paint brush as a glue applicator, but this would be my first alternative method.

[Madbrit]

Neat idea. Now, if it would only rain in California....

[Kevin WS]

Clever idea!

John, I use dental pics exclusively - there are some with virtually straight ends. But you need to use genuine dental picks. I'll post some pics later with the Ash catalogue number.

By the way, you can normally get them free - dentists generally only use 3 - 4 different ones. When you are next at the dentist ask for the old ones and you will get given several.

Some have tiny hooks - if these are broken they are ideal.

[Burning Beard]

I use a bamboo skewer and just sharpen them with a pocket knife to get rid of dried glue.

[danzam]

Originally Posted by DWest

I was sitting around watching it rain today and came up with an idea that seems to work well for applying glue to hard to reach places. I found a dry ink pen, which is easy to do around here, and took it apart. I pulled the end from the ink tube, rinsed the tube out with warm water, and inserted a toothpick into it. Then I put the thing back together, tried it out and really liked it. It seems to be much easier to handle than simply using a toothpick. I took a few pictures of it in case anyone else would like to try it

If you find yourself lonely on island and you have nothing but empty Ink pen and you do nothing with it, than you are completely stupid (maybe it was sound different but this is what cane for double translating). for sure you did something nice with dry pen, I wander what you are doing with it, I can think of few things that your idea can help me, probably I'll adapt it.

[Kevin WS]

Here are the two dental probes I use most.

I have used them so much the numbers are worn, but the shapes are very common.

The top probe is my everyday glue "probe". I generally don't use anything else.

The straight end had a tiny right angle bend which I filed down - but it is easy enough to use with bend a well.

the reason I filed it off os that these are incredibly strong and now it is straight I also use it to unblock glue nozzles!

The bottom probe I use inside models to hold tabs down when they are drying - I only use it for glue if I am putting an awful lot on.

[kingjason14]

Tap Plastics has a 2 oz. polyethylene bottle with an 1 inch, 18 gauge applicator. It works great with PVA, and the inside diameter of the applicator is about 0.032", so I made a SS cleaning rod out of lock wire.