stunthanger.com
Building Tips and technical articles. => Building techniques => Topic started by: Keith Spriggs on March 05, 2007, 04:21:33 PM
-
One of the few benefits of getting old is you don't care how stupid you look, so here goes.
When I quit building everything was glued with Amberoid. Epoxies were just coming in. Now I see that most every think seems to be glued with CA. I see where there is thin. medium, and thick. They also have accelerator. Since I have never used any of these in new model construction I don't have a clue which one to use where, Do you assemble something like a wing and then just put a drop of CA on the joint and it will penetrate? Which Ca? Does the accelerator weaken the glue? Should the joints be "push tight" or should the have a little clearance for the glue to penetrate. Is there much difference in the brands of CA? I have a pretty good handle on using carpenter type glues for laminating and that type of thing, but I see some people use it for the wing structure. Will it penetrate the joint or do you have to apply it to the pieces (s) before you assemble them. I think I understand where and how to use epoxy.As you can see I am all questions and no answers. Please help the elderly.
-
Keith: Thin ca is instant, you need a tight wood joint and just a drop or two will do it. It will soak through both pieces and bond, to much and it will run and glue everything it touches (fingers etc) also with to much it might not bond at all.
Medium gives you a little more time for bonding also is gap filling.
Thick gives even more time for bonding.
DEBONDER for unglueing fingers SH^ SH^ **) **)
-
Kieth The kicker has it's place. For me mostly with the thicker ca when i'm in too big of a hurry or using old ca. At least in my mind penetration stops on application of the kicker. Not always a good thing. It also tends to bubble up the ca and make a rough finish. Especially if you have a bit to much ca down anyway. That's my opinion and I get corrected pretty regularly. FWIW rog
-
KEITH--Pick up a small thin and a small medium CA nd try them with scraps it will just take a moment for you to see how they work.
Most any brand will do the trick. I don't ever use kicker. I can afford a few seconds.
-
My point exactly.
-
One important point to keep in mind, CA, is not sandable!! I use very little CA, still use Ambroid
Testors, epoxy, sandable white glue.
Walter
-
I find CA "sandable". but it will sand slower than the surrounding wood, so use a block. I use kicker occasionally. Usually when the shop is cold. I'd say 90% of my planes are built with thin CA, maybe another 6% with epoxy and the remaining few percent with medium CA. Usually use that for things that you apply glue to then join together. It give you a bit more time. Like sheeting or doublers and such.
-
Keith
Walt has an excellant point... CA does not sand, its heavy and its brittle. If you are more familiar with Ambroid, use Testors or Sigment... Not quite as good as they once were, but they still have a place.
Also yellow glue is great stuff... they all have a place. ;D
Later
Jim
-
Give CA a try. Just buy a bottle and try some on some scrap. I really like it. It holds good and sets quickly. I've recently been working on a small rubber powered free flight stick and tissue model. Just pinned the leading and trailing edges in place. Held the ribs in place, applied a drop of CA and within seconds move to the next rib. Less than an hour from starting the wing it was dry enough to remove the pins. Can't do that with elmers.
-
As for sanding CA, I stole a tip somewhere that seems to work fairly well. I use a flat metal file, make sure to keep it flat on the surface and it seems to cut the CA without doing much to the wood. FWIW
-
Ambroid is still around. It is thinner and has a stronger smell than it used to. Sigment is a good strong glue. Duco is good also. I use a variety of glues. The advice to get a little bottle of CA and try it is good advice. CA is good stuff in its place.
-
I used to LOVE Ambroid..the yellow/orange tube,the working time,the mess...but most of all..the FUMES..working in an unventilated, small area..maybe thats why I ask so many stupid questions around here...the following is my brain on Broid... (PE**) j1
-
As a matter of fact I updated my old SN article about GLUES for The StuntHanger online mag. Keep your ryes peeled!
Ward :!
-
I tried to reply from work this morning, but it wouldn't go through...........
Noone has mentioned Elmer's Glue All yet! My favorite all time glue was PICA Glu It. The Glue All is the closest substitute I have found for it.
CA IS heavy, and I find myself using too much of it!