2.11 Glue Recycled blades must be cleaned before they are re-wired. Solvents such as acetone can help, but 10 minutes with a utility knife (foil) or wire brush (epee) to remove all traces of glue residue from the wire groove also works. New blades sometimes require a small amount of cleaning as well, to remove grease and grit from the machining process. Popular wiring glues include Duco cement, 5-minute epoxy, and cyanoacrylate glues (eg. super-glue). Cleaning and gluing techniques will vary depending on your choice. Thin, quick-drying glues such as cyanoacrylates are best put down over top of the wire as the wire is held in the groove. If you use a thicker glue such as epoxy, you can carefully prepare one surface first. For foil wires, coat the wire in glue, and then gently pull it tight and lay it into the groove. For epees you can alternatively lay a bed of glue down before setting the wire in the groove, then make a second run of glue over the wire to seal it in place. Top glue the blade, and let it dry while the blade is held in a flexed position with the point in the air. An acetone bath for cleaning blades can be constructed from a length of copper tubing, sealed at one end. Fill with acetone, drop in your blades, and let soak overnight. A blade-bowing tool for holding blades flexed while the glue dries can be constructed from a length of cord or chain attached to some small cups (film cannisters work well). Place the cups over either end of the blade, and the tension of the cord will hold the blade bent for as long as you need it. Alternatively, stand the blade up with the point bent under the rim of a counter or table.