I have two bottles of the LHS label CA. One has a purple label reading, Gap Filling, 5-15 sec. The other has a blue label reading, Super Thin, 1-3 sec. Which should I use for CA Hinges? Is Gap Filling the same as thin? I'm leaning on using the Super Thin. But I'm not sure 1-3 seconds is enough time to allow the CA to wick the hinge.

Thanks for any suggestions.

If the slit where the hinge goes is tight, I'd use thin. I'm assuming you are using CA type hinges. If the slit is sloppy, you might think about epoxy. In event of thin CA a few drops on the hinge from one side, then a few from the other side should do. I have never had a hinge tear loose. Use a pin to make sure you get even distribution of the hinge; half in one edge, half in the other, then remove the pin when set.

Only use "THIN CA". I think RCU did a article on the proper installation of CA TYPE HINGES. I have used them for about ten years, but the article could help out a neebee.

Thanks guys,

But, is the "Super Thin" the same as "Thin" for other brands. I didn't see a "Thin" of this type; just the "Gap Filling".

Not familiar with "Super" thin..it is probably a word inserted by their marketing department. Why don't you experiment with a small piece of the hinge into some spare balsa and see how it works...

Any brand of "thin" CA should be like water. If it's got any body to it at all, don't use it for CA hinges.

As someone has mentioned, it should be like water. That way, it will 'wick' down the hinge material and into the slot far enough.

A handy trick is to drill a hole right in the centre of the hinge slot with a dremel or other high speed tool. Using a high speed tool will give you a nice clean hole. Only has to be a small hole (1/16 or something), but it makes the CA wick right to the back of the slot......you'd be surprised at how little the CA will penetrate sometimes without it.

Also, don't pour gallons of CA in there......2 to 3 drops max per side is generally more than enough (depending on the size of the hinge of course). If you use too much, it will harden outside the hinge slot and can actually cut the hinge in half (eventually). Not good!

And make sure you put your hinges in before you drop the CA in there! We had a guy at the field that applied the CA to the hinges and then tried to stick them in the slots.....needless to say, his LT-40 had very large hinge gaps!!

Mike

Thanks again guys,

I went ahead and used the Super Thin. Worked fine. I used a crayon and a T-pin during installation. I've done this before. I was just a little thrown by the term "Super Thin".

Bruno,

This may be a stupid question, but what did you use the crayon for? I can't seem to draw a conclusion to that.

Some people feel that drawing a line with a crayon at the hinge line will keep the CA from accumulating there.

Personally, I think the CA will just wick itself under the wax.

It's one of those things that some do, and some don't.

I don't.

Measure with a micrometer. Then mark it with a crayon. Then cut it with a chain saw. All homebuilders know that!

Ah, ha. Now I see. That's what I thought, but from my CA experiences, it doesn't seem like the wax would work. I've had it wick through pinned holes in wax paper and into my plans

I've seen and heard it recommended enough that I figure it can't hurt. I've also heard of using a grease pencil. But I also wonder if the CA is wicking under it. Oh well, at least I can make whatever is showing of the hinge the same color as my covering.