Glue for Balsa to Foam??
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RE: Glue for Balsa to Foam??
Something that I've been doing on foam wings when sheeting them is to run a "woodpecker" tool over the core. If I am using PU glue, I don not use the woodpecker as I am concerned the glue may force itself through the tiny holes. Basically the woodpecker creates tiny holes in the foam and forms "rivits" once the glue is cured. Just a thought.
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RE: Glue for Balsa to Foam??
I think im gonna buy a 65" yak, but im a little worried about the glue i should use on foam. Where i live i do not have access to many glues... i have access to epoxy and white glue only. Do you (OMP) sell Gorilla glue? I just need a little glue, ill make it thinner than possible I like white glue because its not a fast glue, its cheap, and i have it a lot. How does white glue reacts with glow fuel? Can i use it without any problems? Thanks.
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RE: Glue for Balsa to Foam??
Is there a reason nobody has used foam safe CA. I understand that the glue has to go deep into the foam but why not wood pecker it. It cures slow for CA but really fast for any of the other options.
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RE: Glue for Balsa to Foam??
I have never used gorilla glue, don't know as I've even seen any. The "sourdough glue" was good in it's time. However, I have cut and sheeted 25 to 30 wings in the last twelve or so years and always used 30 minute Z Poxy, one ounce per wing on good sized ones. I spread and carded the sheets only, for both sides, put it back in the cradle, and weighted them down with steel plates. If I run out of plates, doing several wings at one time, I used some ply and cement blocks. I've never had any slide, bubble or peel and never had any complaints from the recipients so, that is what I recommend. Oh, and I never dreamed of using anything as heavy as 200 lbs. or more. Seems to me that'll squish things up pretty good. lol []
#31
RE: Glue for Balsa to Foam??
For those who are unsure of the polyurethane glues, check out this excellent page on pattern wing construction (he adds only about 18g of glue to a 500sqin panel!):
http://www.mackrc.net/patternwings2/index.htm
For those who think that 200lb is too much weight, vacuum bagging applies MUCH more than that. 5" of vacuum is just under 2.5psi. On a 500sqin wing (half of a 2M pattern wing), that equals a load of 1250lb. And it will not crush even 1lb white foam...Good stuff for getting the best possible bond.
Mark
http://www.mackrc.net/patternwings2/index.htm
For those who think that 200lb is too much weight, vacuum bagging applies MUCH more than that. 5" of vacuum is just under 2.5psi. On a 500sqin wing (half of a 2M pattern wing), that equals a load of 1250lb. And it will not crush even 1lb white foam...Good stuff for getting the best possible bond.
Mark
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RE: Glue for Balsa to Foam??
A few years ago, my son and I were cutting foam wings for customers (as AEROSMITH MODEL AVIATION). We used 30 min. epoxy carded on the sheeting, back into the mold and weighted with flat steel bars. I don't remember how much weight but sufficient, and on most wings, we only used 1 oz of epoxy per wing panel. Needless to say, we did many sets and never had a complaint of quality nor function. Nor did we ever have any sliding or bubbling. Personally I feel this is an easy, simple method and if something ain't broke, don't fix it. Of course there are other methods and all of them probably would work if done properly with diligence and common sense.
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RE: Glue for Balsa to Foam??
Well, I guess I'm gonna have to face it. I am getting OLD! I'm sorry fellas (and gals). Seems I have repeated myself to some extent. Didn't even remember responding to this blob before. However, as long as i'm here again, another item that may be useful to someone,. . . to make sheeting, we sanded straight edges, taped the 3" & 4" strips with masking tape on one side, turned them over and used thin CA down the seam. The tape keeps the CA from going all over the place and when you remove the tape, you have a seam that is sandable and of course there are three rules to sanding, my son always told me, and they are: 1. don' t press, 2. don't press and 3. DON'T PRESS!
#34
RE: Glue for Balsa to Foam??
We used 30 min. epoxy carded on the sheeting, back into the mold and weighted with flat steel bars. I don't remember how much weight but sufficient, and on most wings, we only used 1 oz of epoxy per wing panel.
Joe,
That is a very valid and time tested method. I could never get proper coverage on my larger wings with only 1oz of epoxy (my problem, not the method), where the polyurethanes add even less weight and are easier to get full coverage with. If you could get the epoxy to work, the the poly glues may not be an improvement. For those of us who could not get satisfactory results with epoxy, the poly glues are a better choice. YMMV
Mark
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RE: Glue for Balsa to Foam??
Yo Mark. At that time I had little or no experience with poly glues. I'm not even sure I know what they are exactly. I did have some experience with Dave Brown's Sorguhm and it worked but I didn't think as sure and easily as epoxy. You're probably right about youre poly glues. In any case, what ever works best for you and WORKS, that is the main goal, right? Like I said, to be sure anything works, it at least requires doing it properly, which includes preparation. It's similar to covering a plane, . . what ever you leave underneath, you're gonna have on the top. If you prepare it properly, you'll have a beautiful finish. Thanks for the comeback, Mark.
Joe
Joe
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RE: Glue for Balsa to Foam??
I used Poly glue on my yak. Its really easy to use. It was hard to find this glue here in Portugal. But i still have one question about this glue. Is it glow fuel proof?
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RE: Glue for Balsa to Foam??
ORIGINAL: scolpit
I used Poly glue on my yak. Its really easy to use. It was hard to find this glue here in Portugal. But i still have one question about this glue. Is it glow fuel proof?
I used Poly glue on my yak. Its really easy to use. It was hard to find this glue here in Portugal. But i still have one question about this glue. Is it glow fuel proof?
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RE: Glue for Balsa to Foam??
ORIGINAL: PlanePlanter
No it's not. You still need to coat all exposed wood with some thinned epoxy or CA (Be careful with the CA @ the foam)
No it's not. You still need to coat all exposed wood with some thinned epoxy or CA (Be careful with the CA @ the foam)
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RE: Glue for Balsa to Foam??
ORIGINAL: flybyjoe
Hey, there you go, Scolpit. An adament answer with conviction and an essence of experience. I do know that there is a foam safe compliant CA. A little more expensive, but worth it in some cases.
ORIGINAL: PlanePlanter
No it's not. You still need to coat all exposed wood with some thinned epoxy or CA (Be careful with the CA @ the foam)
No it's not. You still need to coat all exposed wood with some thinned epoxy or CA (Be careful with the CA @ the foam)
Maybe a flat out no is the wrong answer (heaven knows I have been wrong before and will be again)
In my experience, oil still seeped into the balsa in areas where I had used poly glue. Now I will also tell you this, it was in a repaired area of the plane and one of the first few times I had ever used poly glue so maybe something else was going on. I have used poly glue many times since with excellent results but I also make sure to use thinned epoxy on any and all exposed wood and openings. So I'll retract my "no". And yes foam safe CA would be well worth it.
#41
RE: Glue for Balsa to Foam??
I started the hobby back in 1975. I have used contact cement, white glue & variations of white glue, epoxy and now for the first time Poly glue. I'm back from a very long layoff to the hobby, about 10 years. After reading many threads on using poly glue I have to say it is easier to use than epoxy, adds less weight than epoxy and appears to just as strong as epoxy. Another upside to the poly glue is it will fill any voids. You apply it just like epoxy. If the surface is "shiny" you have too much on. It is looks "dry" you need a bit more. I used about 50 pounds of weight on a 200+ square inch wing. That seemed to be enough weight. Will I use ply glue again, You Bet!!!!
Ken
Ken
#42
RE: Glue for Balsa to Foam??
ORIGINAL: dbruening80
Something that I've been doing on foam wings when sheeting them is to run a "woodpecker" tool over the core. If I am using PU glue, I don not use the woodpecker as I am concerned the glue may force itself through the tiny holes. Basically the woodpecker creates tiny holes in the foam and forms "rivits" once the glue is cured. Just a thought.
Something that I've been doing on foam wings when sheeting them is to run a "woodpecker" tool over the core. If I am using PU glue, I don not use the woodpecker as I am concerned the glue may force itself through the tiny holes. Basically the woodpecker creates tiny holes in the foam and forms "rivits" once the glue is cured. Just a thought.
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My favorite for wing cores is 3M 77. If you spray lightly on the foam it won't melt it. Spray it on the balsa and let it dry a few minutes. Now on a flat surface roll the foam onto the balsa. You have to get it right the first time. Practice on some test pieces first.
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