Faller Metal Glue Tips

[rickb773]

How do you clear a clogged thin metal glue tip on Faller Super Expert glue?
I don't have anything small enough to clear the clogged hole.
Is it safe to heat the end? (And will that work?)
Are replacement tips available?

[C855B]

No no no! NOT safe to apply heat! Very flammable! Yikes! 

The solution is easy - music wire to clear the tube. IIRC (away from the bench) 0.020" is the right size.

[rickb773]

No no no! NOT safe to apply heat! Very flammable! Yikes! 
The solution is easy - music wire to clear the tube. IIRC (away from the bench) 0.020" is the right size.

Thank you.
It is hard to believe that a wire exists small enough to get into that tip hole.
Where can I purchase a small piece of this wire?

[C855B]

Hobby Lobby has small packs, your LHS should have it as well. Cheap.

[peteski]

If I need some really thin steel wire I have been know to pull (using pliers) a single "bristle" out of a steel brush.  I use this piece of wire just for this  purpose.  I'm not taking about the large wooden-handle steel brushes (which have rather thick "bristles"), but rather those small brushes which are not much bigger than toothbrushes).  Dollar stores sometimes carry those brushes, but hardware stores should also have them in stock.

[Rossford Yard]

My LHS is actually kind enough to give a piece of wire with every glue purchase.  Works best if you discard the cap, and just put a short piece of wire down the hole for full time storage.

[peteski]

My LHS  . . .

Still have one of those? Nice! My closest one is about 20 miles away.

[mmagliaro]

A second source people seem to rarely consider is a guitar string.  If there is a music shop near you, you can buy single, plain steel strings all they way down to .008".  They are coiled in a paper pack, but they spring open very straight when you take them out.  You can find them all the way up to .026" in plain steel.  And they'll only be about a buck a piece.

[carlso]

Would soaking that tip in acetone de-bond the plug ?

Carl

[robert3985]

...Works best if you discard the cap, and just put a short piece of wire down the hole for full time storage.

Put a 90 deg. bend in the wire, and put the long portion into the glue-tube.  If the glue cures around the wire while it's in the tube (it will) the bend in the wire gives you leverage to rotate the wire and it will break loose very easily.

Cheerio!
Bob Gilmore

[MK]

I use a map pin.  The round end serves as a handle.  You can even color code them however you want.

[TLOC]

I stopped at a Guitar Center and they laughed so hard until they realized I was serious. They went through a few throw always until we found wire that fit, free. I think I did the guitar string thing as it was mentioned a few years ago here at the  Railwire.

Tom

[robert3985]

Still have one of those? Nice! My closest one is about 20 miles away.

Lucky you Puzzled.  My nearest one is 51 miles away. It's been a while...maybe close to ten years now, since my LHS at the Ogden Union Station closed up. Miss ya Warren and Dee!!

Cheerio!
Bob Gilmore

[Jbub]

Lucky you Puzzled.  My nearest one is 51 miles away. It's been a while...maybe close to ten years now, since my LHS at the Ogden Union Station closed up. Miss ya Warren and Dee!!

Cheerio!
Bob Gilmore

Warren's was awesome! I miss that place.

[dem34]

ugh, had a LHS in my little town as recently as a week ago. Now my closest LHS is 14mi away, but its a Hobby Town, a Hobby Town with really weird Model Train inventories and prices picked out of a hat but its there I guess. Only train related shop within driving distance is an hour away and a half away now. But I guess I shouldnt whine too much since I'm still in the 1 day delivery neighborhood of Hog, BLW, and soon Train Room Online. Just massively prefer being able to test stuff before buying.