I am just starting to build RC planes and in the instructions it says to "laminate the two die-cut 1/8" balsa stab centers with medium CA"
What is this?
Do I coat the whole piece with glue on all sides?
Thanks a lot?
Joe

Not sure what you mean by glue on all sides,but Laminating means laying a part on an identical part and gluing the two together.Ex plywood is a lamination.You never use a water base glue for this due to the possibility of trapping ,moisture and warping.Epoxy must be applied to both pieces very evenly,the parts tend to slide on each other,and they should be clamped until the glue sets up.Medium or thick ca is spresd evenly on both parts and held until it sets up......20sec or so? Thin ca is not good cause it sets too fast and if the parts are not matched perfectly you dont get a second chance.Personally I like contact glues for all laminating except when building up a firewall.

After your explanation and reading the instruction again it makes sense now.
Thanks so much.

You are welcome.Laminating is one of those little building skills that you learn along the way,and it can be a little tricky,but its one good way to build up strength in a structure while keeping the weight down.You will often hear the term doubler in relation to laminations which makes sense when you stop to think about it

Airdevil,

I agree with everything that Kevin said - good advice.

He mentioned that when the glue is on the parts they tend to slide around. This is how I solve that problem....

Place the first piece down on your building board. Then place pins all the way around this piece. The pins go into the building board, not the part. What you are trying to do is surround the first piece with pins to hold it in place. Now the pins surrounding the first piece will act to guide the second piece into perfect position.

I hope this helps.

Lawrence

Interesting comment about not using water based glue to laminate. I've been laminated wood for years using white glue to laminate many parts. Never noticed any warping, but never really looked. I may have to watch for this.

I dissagree on the "not using water based glues" above. I use capenters glue all the time-much better than the CA's-and it works great. If you have a large area, it is a good idea to weight down the assembly until curred or dried no matter which glue you use. Properly done, laminates are much stronger for the same weight and solid pieces.

Well I dont agree on using water based carpenter type glues for laminating,but others are entitled to their opinions.
Lets remember this column is to help begginers so lets make it easy for them and not pick nits over the type of glue to use for different applications,OK?