Some supply guidance on starting into balsa plane(s)

[gyro]

Duly noted and thank you. I really appreciate everyone chiming in to assist me.

That's what we're all about here!

 

[Rich B]

Indeed, I couldn't agree more .

 

[3Daddict]

Rich,
It's just a personal preference, but I like to use wood glue (like Titebond) for balsa airframe repairs.

It's probably heavier than CA, certainly takes longer to cure, and you have to tape the joint or clamp it. But it sands pretty easy, doesn't stick to my fingers, and the fumes don't irritate my eyes. When I need an instant bond or have to wick glue into an already glued joint I use CA.

Marc

Wood glue it typically not strong enough. I highly recommend thin CA for all wood repairs with balsa. or Epoxy for gluing ply wood.

 

[3dNater]

Wood glue it typically not strong enough. I highly recommend thin CA for all wood repairs with balsa. or Epoxy for gluing ply wood.

Thank you for chiming in [MENTION=50]3Daddict[/MENTION]. I find the opinion about wood glue not being strong enough to be inaccurate. Quality wood glue like titebond is typically very strong, especially when clamped properly as noted above. There are obvious reasons for using CA over wood glue but they are all related to convenience. If wood glue is used properly it is at least as strong as CA. I agree with you about using quality epoxy on high stress areas like landing gear blocks etc as it is typically the strongest adhesive. I like to incorporate fiberglass into epoxy for an even stronger joint.

 

[3Daddict]

Just trying to give my opinions based on personal experience.

 

[3dNater]

We appreciate your opinions. Don't stop giving them. Wood glue can be a little trickier to use than CA because it really needs a tight joint to give a lot of strength but when a tight joint is achieved it is very strong... stronger than the wood around it.

 

[3Daddict]

Most of the time you will not be repairing something that can be clamped. And that is why I love thin CA and Epoxy LOL. And sometimes I will put gorilla glue around my wing tube assembly for added strength.

 

[3dNater]

Good points

 

[gyro]

Most of the time you will not be repairing something that can be clamped. And that is why I love thin CA and Epoxy LOL. And sometimes I will put gorilla glue around my wing tube assembly for added strength.

That's a good point... most of the time I'm wicking a little thin CA into a cracked stringer that I broke with my caveman grip while picking up a plane.

However, I can see where wood glue may be better when doing a major repair with the covering off, or even putting a new motorbox kit into the fuse, etc.

Either way, great discourse, and great suggestions!

 

[Enterprise]

When building my RV-4 kit I used wood glue when I could. I think I managed to avoid using epoxy, but I have slept since then. I use the gorilla glue brand wood glue. One of my builder buddies recommended it.