Gluing Balsa Sheets Together

[Motorman]

I want to glue 3 sheets together and make a big sheet of 1/16th balsa that's about 9"x36". I've done this before but I always seem to make a mess of it. How do you cut the edges so there are no gaps? What's good to use on the table that the CA won't stick to? Any other tips?

Thanks,
MM

[Mike Keville]

. . . Any other tips?

================================================
Yeah: don't use CA.  It's rock-hard; won't sand well.  Use Duco, SigMent or Ambroid - pre-gluing first, of course.

[Curare]

Find Bob Hunt's foam wing how to. It explains in detail how to get perfectly fitting sheets.

If anyone knows, it's Bob.

[Motorman]

lol all of my posts seem to get the "Call bob Hunt" answer lately. Anyway, did a search and got no results.


MM

[Fred Cronenwett]

I cut the edges with a long straight edge so they line up perfectly, then join the three sheets together with masking tape on one side.

Then flip the balsa sheets over and open up the joint and run a bead a Titebond wood glue in the joint

Put the sheets on a flat surface and load down the sheets with books to keep it flat, let the glue dry overnight. After the glue is dry remove the tape and then sand the side with the masking tape before you sheet any fuselage or wings

forgot to mention to put the wax paper on our workbench, then put the balsa sheets down, the tape faces up and the books go on top of that

I agree that CA should not be used, it leaves a hard line that is very difficult to sand out

Fred

[Dan McEntee]

    The Bob Hunt method is pretty much what Fred described. Bob also tells in the video that if you are going to do this a lot, make a sanding jig out of a piece of hardware store variety aluminum angle about 4 foot long. Get some of that long, self adhesive sandpaper strip, 100 or 120 grit, and put it on the INSIDE of one of the angle legs. Carefully cut your sheets along the edge with a good straight edge and a new exacto blade, and make several light cuts. Once you have the edge trimmed up, sand if lightly on you new sheet sanding jig. When all your sheets have been cut and treated, do as Fred describes and you will be very pleased with the results. It can be done with thin CA by CAREFULLY applying it to the seem when laying flat on your building board with wax paper underneath.
   Type at you later,
    Dan McEntee

[Randy Cuberly]

Everything said above is good except using CA is a mistake.  Use Sigment or ambroid with masking tape holding the joints flat after doing the edge cutting and sanding.  You'll get much better results and totally invisible seams after sanding and the Sigment only takes about 20 minutes to dry.  It sands like the balsa so it leaves no ridge.  The CA will not sand easily but the balsa on both sides of it will and it will leave a ridge.  After about 15 minutes lightly block sand the side opposit the tape then turn it over and remove the tape carefully pulling it back on itself.  Lightly sand that side and you will have an invisible joint.

Randy Cuberly

[Curare]

...and for those in Australia, use C23!

[GonzoBonzo]

Lot of good answers.  I use the Great Planes self adhesive sand paper they sell in rolls, and apply a 50" strip to my glass building table.  Comes in handy for stuff like this.  True up the sheets with a straight edge, razor blade, then finish the edge on the sand paper.  Never had problems using thin CA for this either.  It's my preferred method.  Sand immediately after it sets, and the joint will come out very smooth.  If you use gap filling CA, and let it dry overnight, you might have problems.  And yes, wax paper under the joint.

[jim gilmore]

Not sure if anybody suggested this but when gluing things together . Do it over either wax paper or clear plastic wrap.
Better than gluing sheets to your bench top.

[Igor Burger]

scroll down to post 6:

http://www.rcmania.cz/viewtopic.php?f=123&t=49483

[roger gebhart]

My ex won a rather large mat cutter in an American artist competition. This works great for a true and straight  glue surface   I've thought about trying a piece cut on a 45 to see how that wors out.  At least she left me something.  Rog

[john e. holliday]

Not sure if anybody suggested this but when gluing things together . Do it over either wax paper or clear plastic wrap.
Better than gluing sheets to your bench top.

Since some one on here put me onto Parchment Paper, in the baking section of the grocery store, I have not even touched wax paper or plastic wrap.  Oh, the wife informs me it is in same section as waxed paper.