Hi guys,

As per my other thread, I am fitting a pre-bent aluminum main landing gear to my balsa plane. However, I am having trouble attaching the plywood on the inside to strengthen the area and to prevent the landing gear from going through the fuselage upon landing. I tried CA, I tried that yellowish cement thing, and still wouldn't hold: it would just pop-off.

What am I doing wrong? I have glued wood pieces together before, but these two will NOT stick!

Thanks in advance!

I think you're best bet would be to use 30 minute epoxy. Make sure you have a clean, wood-to-wood area, (you may need to scrape off the previous glue), mix a good-sized blob of epoxy, and stick that wood in there. Don't worry about glue oozing out, it won't show on the inside. Wait at least a couple hours before drilling on it.

I agree, 30 minute epoxy. CA does not penetrate plywwod very well, and I've never gotten a good ply joint with it.

I would clamp the ply in after applying the epoxy and wait 24 hours for a full cure before doing anything like drilling it though.
Dennis-

Also, try scratching up the original surface. Maybe it has some kind of coating that is preventing the bond.

and use some triangle stock on the inside to make it stronger.

30Min Epoxy all the way. You could also drill 1/8" holes through the side of the fuse into your new block. Then epoxy in 1/8" dowel rod to pin the block in place. About two on each side would be plenty..

David

Ah, epoxy! Thanks a lot, guys! [8D]