Well, I can try the ammonia and see if that helps. Heating the water made a noticeable improvement. A 2.5" diameter bend is quite small but I think the strips for the nose were similar, but they were only 1/8" wide.

I don't know the characteristics of ammonia. If I add ammonia, achieve the radius and secure the balsa so that the radius is held until dry.... is there a component of the ammonia that will be still be in the balsa? When water changes from liquid to gas there is nothing left behind. Does ammonia work the same way? Or do I even care, so long as it doesn't interfere with the CA?

I will give it a test and let you know.

Thanks for the comments!

Mike Roerig
[email protected]