My glue bottle died! {sniff, sniff} It was during the photographing of this Quilling 101 series that I accidentally tipped it over, and "snap"! Off with it's head!
Actually, this is the 2nd time it's had a life threatening situation. I accidentally bumped it off the table onto the cement floor, during my Craftsy class filming, and it broke just above the shoulder area. They were SUCH professionals! One person drove to Michael's and another used Crazy glue to re-attach it. Both returned in half an hour, with such earnest expressions on their faces, hoping their solutions would be acceptable – they were so sweet and understood what it meant to me!!! I do have a Quilled Creations Precision Tip Glue Applicator Bottle, 0.5-Ounce bottle as a back up, but to have my beloved bottle die a final death was heart wrenching.
It was bound to happen. I bought it at Michaels in the t-shirt paints aisles (haven't seen it since), and used this bottle for about 10 years. There were 3 nozzles (I found the 3rd one way after this photo was taken), 4 varying wires to unblock the nozzles, and a couple of squeeze bottles - I tossed the packaging long ago, so can't remember all the details now.
And then life went on. I managed to jam the opposite end of my x-acto blade in the residual nozzle plastic and scrape it all out slowly, so I could re-screw onto a new bottle. I felt most comfortable with the nozzle in the middle (not too small, not too large). It turns out the shoulders of the left bottle fit on top of the bottle sold by Quilled Creations, and voila! I have a new best friend.
Why did I choose this path? I kind of like the small size of the Quilled Creations bottle for transportation reasons, and the glue has to travel less to reach the nozzle. I didn't prefer the larger nozzle it came with, and although the cap is a nice idea, I find it in my way when applying glue.
In my first photo, I show a push pin in the nozzle. For some reason, it seems to keep the glue from drying out, and all other items I've shoved in there to prevent clogging seems to rust.
What fine tip glue bottles do you prefer? I was SO grateful to Inna for commenting about Aleene's glue in 2012 and I found out where to buy a replacement for my Kemper quilling tool when it broke, so I'm all ears!
* * * UPDATE * * *
Thanks to MizDenise and her sleuthing husband, she found the same nozzles I stumbled on a decade ago. It's called Small Bottles Tips by Loew Cornell. Thanks so much for sharing that with us MizDenise. I know so many will enjoy the same glue precision I have been having.
I am shopping right now for an applicator to put your teaching to use. I'm always surprised that such a thin line of glue holds when I watch your videos, but I love the small metal tip you used. Keep me informed, please! I'm also going to see if my hubby will look in the lubricant/hardware/tools area.
ReplyDeleteYou're so sweet to be on the hunt for us! Thank you! :D
DeleteCecelia
Great news! I found the Loew Cornell Bottles & Tips 724 on Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/Loew-Cornell-724-Bottles-Tips/dp/B004185GEM) & also a smaller version (http://www.amazon.com/Loew-Cornell-Small-Bottles-Tips/dp/B0055E7KHW), but they are widely available in US at WalMart, JoAnns & stores with Quilting supplies. The tips fit onto Elmer's Washable Glue bottles & are popular in attaching quilt bindings. Hope that helps!
ReplyDeleteLOL great super sleuthing MizDenise! Thank you so much for sharing your find with everyone here. I've gotten that question quite a few times, so I'll be sure to update my post now - thanks!!!
DeleteI use the Quilled Creation bottle and Scotch Quick Dry Glue. Accidentally pulled off the teather for the cap but found it worked better without it getting in the way as I can still use the cap and the nub it can sit it on while using the glue. FYI, if you will purchase STAINLESS STEEL (not the nickel plated) straight pens they will not rust. This bottle works well for traveling. My second choice is 'Tillysbridge Fine Tip Applicator' from www.zibbet.com...this is what I use at home as it does not have a secure cap.
ReplyDeletePaper Hugs,
Jan
OH, that's what making it rust – thank you so much Jan! That seems so obvious now. I don't mind the tiny pin I'm using, but having a larger pin would make it easier to handle.
DeleteThat's a great idea to pull off the tethering cap and just use it like normal.
I've never seen/heard of the Tillysbridge bottle. That does seem to give the results we all want.
Thanks for sharing all your resources Jan! I think some stocking stuffer ideas have just been filled...
Cecelia
To clean the nozzle. take your nozzles to a Guitar store and try the different stainless steel Guitar strings to find the one you like. Wrap the wire around a round stick making a loop and wind the wire back on it self and cut the tail as close to the wind as possible. You can add some tape over the wind to keep from puncturing yourself. Take the loop off the stick (broom handle) and cut the wire to two to three inches. Attach a key ring to it so you don't loose it. I've had mine 15 years already, so they don't wear out. Should you loose it you still have enough material to make 5 to 8 more.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! I never would have thought about guitar strings - thanks so much for sharing!
DeleteWhich bottle did you end up getting? - looking for an update & nitty-gritty hints & tricks on storing the tool between uses.
ReplyDeleteHow did you store your beloved glue bottle? Did you leave the nozzle attached between uses (the enclosed cap does not fit on the metal tip, just the plastic bottle)? Did you clean it out & remove it after each use, or just stick the rust-proof pin in? I'm guessing you left it upside-down, so any air-bubbles/lumps would be on the bottom, not near the nozzle. Which size of the 3 nozzles did you use? (I ordered the LeowCornell bottles we discussed earlier.)
Well hello MizDenise,
DeleteI ended up digging out the plastic bits from my nozzle tip and re-screwing it onto the Quilled Creations bottle. It's smaller so it's easier to travel with and takes less time for the glue to flow, because I top it up regularly.
I have a teeny push pin with a plastic ball on the head. It's only 1/4" long, but enough to keep the nozzle from plugging up. When crusty bits develop around the mouth, it's easy to wipe clean with a tissue. I haven't hunted for other non-rusting options yet. On the rare occasion, I used a sewing needle to do a thorough cleaning of the nozzle.
Between each use, I'd store it upright with the push pin inserted. I have forgotten it inside the wet tissue, which isn't wet by the next morning. Luckily the metal prevents the glue from a permanent hold, so it's ok after some soaking and rubbing.
I liked using the middle size nozzle - not too small, not too big. Since I started off with the middle size, I never gave the other sizes much thought, but I would think they'd be ok to use too.
So what have you been using? Any new glues you've tried?