UV finds glue

jupiteruke

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I just acquired a small UV flashlight, because I was curious about the locust I have been experimenting with. (I was told from a guitar wood supplier that it is our best local tonewood. Indeed, it is hard, 'rings' very much like a good piece of rosewood, and I can get great quantities for free.) Locust was supposed to fluoresce a lime green under UV light. I got a small, inexpensive LED UV flashlight:
http://www.amazon.com/LEDwholesaler...05UV395/dp/B001RJQR3M/ref=zg_bs_6476726011_7?

Locust does indeed glow lime green. Even under a finish. Koa glows a little, in a kind of streaky way.

What I did not anticipate was when I shined the light on some bodies in progress, I discovered that dried Tightbond glue also fluoresces! With my little flashlight I could easily see every little bit of glue left around those bindings, that fingerprint on the back, etc. That little flashlight has instantly become part of my general sanding and cleanup phase.
 
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