Doc James Hammond
Very Strong User
Hi Guys, I recently had a question about bonding in a ballast tube from a Forza Builder, and I thought it might be useful as it applies to bonding anything, such as radio trays, formers, and ballast tubes, inside glass-fibre fuselages. To most of us old Pharts, this will be instinct by now. For newbies or just for interest, here is my way:
QQQ: "How does one get glue all the way down to the rear of the ballast tube to ensure it is securely glued? Do you only have to glue the forward Half?"
(JH) No, you need to make some "goop" Thicken the epoxy (please use slow-curing epoxy, not the 5-minute type, as it's inferior and 100% will fail) You can use a lot of things for thickening - even fine sawdust to make the mixed epoxy into a thick cream consistency - in other words it will still run but very slowly.
How?
1. Roughen up the inside of the fuselage with some coarse sandpaper on a stick.
2. Roughen the bottom of the ballast tube.
3. Thoroughly clean both parts with alcohol and wait until the excess has evaporated.
4. Mark the position of the ballast tube inside the fuselage.
5. Mix up the g]Goop.
6. Paste a generous amount of Goop - about a 1CM bead - all along the bottom of the ballast tube.
7. Carefully place the ballast tube in position inside the fuselage and roll it from side to side slightly to spread the epoxy and create a fillet inside.
8. Use foam wedges or a similar device to hold the ballast tube in the correct position until the epoxy has set.
9. Check this positioning again before you walk away.
Notes:
*NEVER USE 5-Minute EPOXY for this job, or for that matter any other job. If you have any, 5-Minute epoxy, give it to someone you don't like.
I use this method to bond anything inside the fuselages of my models.
* Please, guys, don't tell me you used 5-Min for this or that, and it's fine. It isn't, and it's only a matter of time.
Cheers,
Doc.
QQQ: "How does one get glue all the way down to the rear of the ballast tube to ensure it is securely glued? Do you only have to glue the forward Half?"
(JH) No, you need to make some "goop" Thicken the epoxy (please use slow-curing epoxy, not the 5-minute type, as it's inferior and 100% will fail) You can use a lot of things for thickening - even fine sawdust to make the mixed epoxy into a thick cream consistency - in other words it will still run but very slowly.
How?
1. Roughen up the inside of the fuselage with some coarse sandpaper on a stick.
2. Roughen the bottom of the ballast tube.
3. Thoroughly clean both parts with alcohol and wait until the excess has evaporated.
4. Mark the position of the ballast tube inside the fuselage.
5. Mix up the g]Goop.
6. Paste a generous amount of Goop - about a 1CM bead - all along the bottom of the ballast tube.
7. Carefully place the ballast tube in position inside the fuselage and roll it from side to side slightly to spread the epoxy and create a fillet inside.
8. Use foam wedges or a similar device to hold the ballast tube in the correct position until the epoxy has set.
9. Check this positioning again before you walk away.
Notes:
*NEVER USE 5-Minute EPOXY for this job, or for that matter any other job. If you have any, 5-Minute epoxy, give it to someone you don't like.
I use this method to bond anything inside the fuselages of my models.
* Please, guys, don't tell me you used 5-Min for this or that, and it's fine. It isn't, and it's only a matter of time.
Cheers,
Doc.
