Bob,
C/a applicator.... Get an old wooden clothes peg, take it apart and then shape one half to a wedge shape. In the end of this wedge drill a hole the size of a hat pin and then cut the top of the pin away, dip in c/a and insert into the hole. You should now have a sharp point ready to dip into c/a and locate as you wish. Now to apply along a line, use a #10A scalpel blade, dip into the c/a and then run the tip of the blade along the line you wish to join.
Fron the pics you have shown us it appears the c/a drying time is forever and actually dries out before it has had time to cure.... I use c/a purchased from Delux Materials, I usually buy a bottle of 'Rocket Rapid and a bottle of 'Rocket Hot' I then mix the two together which gives me a better product (my opinion). You know those milk bottle tops you throw away, keep them and use them to hold the c/a when taken from the bottle, and once used can be wiped clean with a bit of kitchen towel.
Hope this helps - I will put a pic up of my c/a tools for you later, just out of sick bed.
Cheers
Mike.