Balsa Fillers

[Mike Griffin]

What different types of balsa filler do you guys use?  For example to fill cracks in sheeting or small divots.  I have used spackling, Super Fil but not really satisfied with either....

Thanks

Mike

[Balsa Butcher]

Elmer's Carpenter's Wood filler works good for cracks in sheeting.  Red bondo - in small (as in pinhole) quantities. Water and a mono-kote iron to steam out small divots and scratches.

[Randy Cuberly]

Elmer's Carpenter's Wood filler works good for cracks in sheeting.  Red bondo - in small (as in pinhole) quantities. Water and a mono-kote iron to steam out small divots and scratches.

I've had trouble in the past with dope not wanting to go over Elmers...bubbling and not sticking.  Both Nitrate and Butyrate.
Too bad because the stuff is easy to use and looks great until the dope is put on.

Randy Cuberly

[GregArdill]

I use Cabot's Wood tone Putty. Light enough for small dings, and doesn't shrink with dope.

Sands to about balsa colour, for those wanting a clear finish.

Greg

[Bootlegger]

  Greg, where do ya' get the Cabbots wood tone putty?
 Thanks, Gil

[Allan Perret]

Automotive spot putty, its lacquer based and dries real fast.  You can sand it in 5-10 minutes and its sands real easy.  There is a small 4oz tube sold under the Bondo brand label in Walmart for about $5.   At the auto body supply places the smallest tubes are like 10 oz plus and will be around $15.

[Mike Griffin]

Allan is that the stuff that is red in color?

Mike

[Gerald Arana]

Mike,
I've been using "MICRO-FILL" by North East Hobby Products. Its a balsa colored model filler and I like it a lot. Sands easy and I haven't had any problem that I know about. Been using ALL Brodak buterate dope.

Cheers, Jerry

[Allan Perret]

Allan is that the stuff that is red in color?

Mike

Yes, the "Bondo" tube I have now is like a red oxide color.  Label on the tube says "Glazing & Spot Putty".  I think I once had a larger tube of the 3M brand that was grey.

[GregArdill]

  Greg, where do ya' get the Cabbots wood tone putty?
 Thanks, Gil

Gil,

Cabot's is an Australian company.
Here's a link to the product http://cabots.com.au/product-detail/1465/prep-products/wood-tone-putty
You might be able to find an equivalent US product.

Greg

[Mike Griffin]

Gil Lowe's carries Cabot products..

Mike

[Brett Buck]

Mike,
I've been using "MICRO-FILL" by North East Hobby Products. Its a balsa colored model filler and I like it a lot. Sands easy and I haven't had any problem that I know about. Been using ALL Brodak buterate dope.

   Is this the super-light water-based stuff? Like Model Magic (AKA Model Tragic)? Beware, Model Magic and the equivalents will work moderately OK in very small cracks but they are not compatible with dope and will soften up.

   I have had no luck at all with any of the water-based products, they seems to shrink or grow as they choose. The red glazing putty usually works out a lot better with dope.
 
   Brett

[Bill Little]

Allan is that the stuff that is red in color?

Mike

Hi Mike,

The Bondo and Nitro Stan products are a dark red.  The large 3M tubes are green, blue, and one I forget.  The different 3M colors are for their "grain" or how smooth they are when dry.

[Mike Griffin]

Thank you all for your input..

Mike

[Balsa Butcher]

Based on one specific recommendation I am going to re-consider my use of the Elmer's product.  Thanks for the heads up.

[Gerald Arana]

Brett,

Yes, it is the water based stuff. I use it in small areas. I use epoxy/milled fiber glass in larger areas. Yes, I know epoxy is heavy.

Lately I tried "Super-fil" and I think I might be using that a lot....... Almost have the Ringmaster ready for dope.

Later, GA

[Gerald Arana]

Well that underline didn't work the way I wanted it to. DUH.

Maybe some day I'll figure out how to work this "stoopit" computer.  .......... Maybe not.

GA