spokman

My Feedback: (2)

I've been doing some research on the site about gluing but haven't seen anyone mention using baking soda with CA. If you need to make a rock hard bond but the joint is to small or not quite flush blowing/brushing/shaking some baking soda into the joint then applying thin CA will make a joint like a rock. Just thought I'd throw this out for people looking for gluing ideas!

nedyob

My Feedback: (67)

What about the fumes???
Is it as back as Zap Kicker Fumes??
Not good on the snynusess.
NEDYOB

Lightfoot

My Feedback: (1)

I have used this techniques on several occasions. The first time was when I was converting a buddy box to a 2 - stick controller for a simulator. I cut the shaft of the potentiometer undersize so there was some slop in the controls. I later took out the potentiometer and built up a CA/baking soda mixture on the shaft and filed it down to fit. I never had another problem. I have also used the technique to make repairs to broken plastic parts with great success.

iflircaircraft

Baking soda dissolved well in hot water, used at room temp, in an old windex (or similar) sprayer, can be used as a CA Accelerator........CAUTION......DO NOT GET CA AND ACCELERATOR ON YOUR SKIN !!!
Don't ask how I know this.

Tom

Rodney

There is a good reason for baking soda to aid in CA joints. CA and an acidic base do not work well together. The soda neutralizes the acid and aids in making a good joint. This process also aids any hardwood joints (hardwoods are generally acidic in nature), just slightly dust the prospective joint with soda before joining with CA.

BykrDan

Ah - I've felt many a "warm spot" when applying sheeting with CA -

I've actually seen smoke (or some kind of visible vapor) come off the stringers of a small micro I'm building.

Bondo gets surprisingly warm when it's curing, too.

JimTrainor

Indeed, there was a discussion of this recently around here.
I always thought that water catalyzed CA. However, it turns out that CA, in the bottle, is stabilized by the addition of a weak acid.. Putting it on just about anything - especially a weak base - neutralizes the acid, and voila, it turns into some kind of plastic in a flash. Those crazy chemists.

What else would be good? Ammonia is base. Perhaps a weak ammonia solution?

ballgunner

My Feedback: (1)

If you have a gap and don't need the strength try baby powder and Elmer's glue. It makes a good filler and is certainly cheaper than Balsarite model putty. Sands easy too. It will not add any strength but will make a very smooth surface on sheet balsa leading edges etc.

spokman

My Feedback: (2)

Someone mentioned fumes.. Definetly use caution as it will fume really bad if you do a large section.

probligo

I use balsa dust instead of baking soda and talc. The long fibre stuff is best - good filler for epoxy as well.

There is always plenty about after using #80 grit to put the rough shape into a chuckie wing

Highflyer

Ive been using this technique for awhile and it seems to work very well
i just figured it was alot cheaper than using microballoons the only problem is that it is hard to sand

robb_h

My Feedback: (1)

Work great on lite ply fuselages, and I've been using this technique for years. Put a pinch of baking soda near a fuselage-to-former junction, and lightly tap the fuselage to spread the baking soda out in a line.

Robb

Canuck1

I have used Baking Soda as well with good results. As was mentioned earlier it does not sand easily. I usualy put it on, level it out with a small standard screwdriver, before applying the CA. Works well, just plan ahead. Creates a super bond.

Craig.

michpittsman

My Feedback: (11)

I kid you not, for field repairs I have used a pinch of dry, powdery dirt for filler in place of baking soda. Try it!

jessiej

Follow Clinton's example. Don't inhale.