TOUCH N FLOW

Thanks for the info guys.                    ACESES5                            

They work nice when they are new.  I have found that no matter how careful I am, they will eventually clog, with no way to clean them out.  I have gone through at least 3 of them and threw them out.  No more!!  I learned that a small paintbrush is fine for applying solvent.

One remedy I've found to clear a blocked Touch-N-Flow is to fill the glass tube with adhesive, then insert the tip-end into the bottle of adhesive. It only takes a few seconds to clear the blockage. I've had mine for over a year and have been able to clear any blockage with no problem.

On a side note, I have tried using a few different brands of solvent-type adhesive in the tool. The only one that I had trouble with was the Plastruct with the orange label. T-N-F, Bondene and Tenax-7 have all worked just fine.

jelliott523

One remedy I've found to clear a blocked Touch-N-Flow is to fill the glass tube with adhesive, then insert the tip-end into the bottle of adhesive. It only takes a few seconds to clear the blockage. I've had mine for over a year and have been able to clear any blockage with no problem.

On a side note, I have tried using a few different brands of solvent-type adhesive in the tool. The only one that I had trouble with was the Plastruct with the orange label. T-N-F, Bondene and Tenax-7 have all worked just fine.

 

Right on with the cleaning. I just leave the tip in the bottle for a couple minits. The guy that started the flex-I-file line belonged to our plastic modeling club here in Grand Rapids, so we got lots of "extra" info on the stuff. The company has been sold off and is now part of Alpha Abrasives. I've been using my Touch-n-flow for 4 or 5 years now. I did break one by dropping it on the concrete model room floor.

In addition to the adhesives listed above, I've also used it with Flex-I-file's Plast-I-Weld, Ambroid Pro Weld (looks like the same stuff - even the bottle is the same), Same Stuff from Micromark (again, looks like the same stuff - no pun intended) and Tamiya extra thin, all with good results.

I have found that my clogging problem was caused by tiny particles of plastic (or other debris) that had collected over time in the solvent bottle, by repeated dippings of the brush while working on models.  I tried putting a coffee filter in a funnel and pouring the contaminated solvent through it, and was amazed at the amount of tiny pieces of junk that I filtered out.   I think the best answer is to keep a bottle only for use with the touch and flow, and another bottle for use on models.  That should keep the junk out the solvent for your touch-n-flow.

I generally never "fill" mine more than 1.5 inches.  I find that loading more than this results in unwanted and uncontrollable flow.  When finished, I just blow air through it to evacuate remaining cement.  Allowing the unused cement to evaporate on its own will most surely result in a clog.

As for cleaning, Obtain the following: 

1. 1 qt. can of laquer thinner.

2. Plastic droppers from the Nail Tech section of local beauty supply store.  They have a more robust end and they're cheap.

3. 2" section of 1/8" automotive vacuum hose.

Place one end of the vacuum hose onto the end of the paint dropper to about 3/4". 

Depress paint dropper to greatest extent possible - holding it. 

Now, with your 3rd hand, insert glass end of the clogged touch n flow to about 3/4".  (Seriously, get help for this since the glass end of a touch n flow is quite easily broken.)

Place metal end of the touch n flow into the open can of lacquer thinner, allowing it to stand upright.  The paint dropper can flop over as it may, due to the flexibility of the vacuum hose. 

Watch it as the vacuum overpowers the clog and the lacquer thinner flushes it out nicely!

Over several years, I bought new touch n flows as they clogged up.  Since fine tuning this tecnique, I now have four and the oldest one is still as good as new.

I have been it using to build my Canadian Centurion so far the  Touch in Flow is working just fine, It did plug once so I just stuck it in the glue bottle blew through it, been working fine since. I do like it, before I had a tendensey to use to much glue, the Touch in Flow has stoped this probluem.               THANKS FOR HELP              HAPPY EASTER ALL       ACESES5                 

Place the remaining liquid back in the bottle after using it. I also touch a paper tower with the tip to wick out any cement from the needle.

I have been using Touch N Flow for years and it's a fantastic tool.The one I just replaced had several years use to the point that the material that holds the needle in the glass tube was coming off. I say I used it for about 5 years or so.

The trick to avoid most clogs is to run the tool opposite to the tip, not into the tip. If a clog develops just dip the needle in the liquid glue and the blockage is gone. I usually will stop using a glue bottle within an inch of liquid remaning to avoid the junk that collects in the bottom from being sucked into the tool.

I have used Plast i Weld, Ambroid and Tenax liquids without any problems.

Thanks again with all the help guys this is why I keep coming back here time after time HAPPY EASTER.                      ACESES5                           ON BENCH AFV  CENTURION  MK5/1