RE: What are the alternatives to CA and how do you use them?
I will use 6 or 7 glues when building a model. It depends what part I am working on. Generally speaking the hardwoods are glued together with epoxy, however I have used the gorilla glue for that with good results. I will use thin and medium CA on various parts of the structure. I will use Pica Gluit, ( white glue ) in areas near the surface of the craft where a sandable glue is needed . RC560 is a good glue for canopies and plastics. Sometimes I might use Ambroid, just for the fumes ! (lol ) The gorilla glue is also a very sandable . Contact cement is used when sheeting foam wings.
Many times , the choice of glues is really a personal preference. Sometimes it is matter of what glue you have on hand at 2 am. Some people are allergic to epoxy. The shelf life of the gorilla glue seems very short. All kinds of factors come into play. The builders experience level is one factor. Time is a factor and patience.
Here is another tid bit. Epoxy doesn't evaporate. Niether does CA. White glue has a bit of water in it. Most of the wieght of white glue is the water and will evaporate as the glue dries. So white glue is lighter than CA or epoxy. However, the careful use of CA will help to keep the weight down also. A few grams here and few grams there. Soon you are talking ounces. 4 ounces makes a huge difference in the way a plane will operate. So using the correct glue and in the right amount is important.