Author Topic: Fixing a cracked profile fuselage (Read 1426 times)

Allen Eshleman · « **on:** July 13, 2013, 01:59:45 PM »

The other day I had to land a Magician upside down (ouch) because my engine cut out. I thought I got away with just a broken prop and a loose tank that needed some solder repair. As I looked at it today, I saw a big crack in the fuselage. How do you all repair that.

I have put CA glue in the crack and then put a nail down through the fuselage.

Today, I thought of drilling a hole or two from top to bottom and putting CA glue along the crack and tightening it with a screw.

I think I have heard of drilling a hole or 2 along the crack and putting in some kind of glue.

I'm open for suggestions from your experiences.

FLOYD CARTER · « **Reply #1 on:** July 13, 2013, 02:44:07 PM »

There should be little need for screws to hold the fuselage together. Screws work best putting bones back together! Balsa cracks are usually clean splits and the parts go back together with no gaps. Therefore, just about any model glue should hold it. CA is easiest, because no clamps are needed. Use Ambroid or SIG cement if you can work it into the crack and then clamp it. Even Titebond would work!

Profile fuselages can be busted numerous times and glued back without degrading the plane (except maybe the looks)

Floyd

MarcusCordeiro · « **Reply #2 on:** July 13, 2013, 08:58:50 PM »

drill a hole or holes throughp the fuselage in a way it goes through the cracked area, CA and a bamboo stick.
Then go fly... It works great!

Marcus

55chevr · « **Reply #3 on:** July 14, 2013, 12:26:03 AM »

I have split profile fuselages many times. Usually with Flite Streaks. Before CA adhesives I would drill a hole through the fuselage from top to bottom and insert a standard hardware store dowel in and glue it.

Joe

RknRusty · « **Reply #4 on:** July 14, 2013, 03:18:45 AM »

Bamboo cooking skwewers are very strong too. If it's broken completely off, I pin it together with skewers and titebond or epoxy. If it's only cracked, I do as said above, bend it slightly open and fill it with CA and hold it straight while it sets. I like gorilla brand thick "rubberized" CA for this. It's fairly slow to set so hold it for a few minutes.

EddyR · « **Reply #5 on:** July 14, 2013, 07:21:46 AM »

Back in the 50's when we broke a profile fuselage we would glue it back together with Testers fuel proof glue and wait 1/2 hour and hope it dried. Here is how it went. Take off great, did loop and it seamed large.Now level flight is wondering all over the place. I wonder why the guys are all waving there hands,they must like my flight. Lets try a loop,looks large,very large. That's odd how come I am seeing the stab instead off the rudder,SPLATT

Must have been pilot error

Ed NOTE ,,,how many remember Tester's fuel proof glue?

john e. holliday · « **Reply #6 on:** July 14, 2013, 07:48:38 AM »

Any of the glues back in the day were like that. One reason Mr Meriwether carried a box of straight pins. Finished a rat race holding the stab/elevator on with glue and pins. Glue was still tacky when after the race we pulled the pins and the stab/elevator came off.

Author Topic: Fixing a cracked profile fuselage (Read 1426 times)

Allen Eshleman

Fixing a cracked profile fuselage

FLOYD CARTER

Re: Fixing a cracked profile fuselage

MarcusCordeiro

Re: Fixing a cracked profile fuselage

55chevr

Re: Fixing a cracked profile fuselage

RknRusty

Re: Fixing a cracked profile fuselage

EddyR

Re: Fixing a cracked profile fuselage

john e. holliday

Re: Fixing a cracked profile fuselage