Do I use Epoxy or medium CA
 

Hello-

Even though I have had no hard landings, I need to reinforce the left panel of my fuselage because it has loosened (at the glue joint) from the firewall. I have asked 2 people with a lot of building experience which glue to use. One said to use medium CA and the other said to use Epoxy. Any other opinions out there? Will either one reinforce the joint better since there may be fuel residue on the wood?

Thanks!
Bjfrankl

RE: Do I use Epoxy or medium CA
 

Use epoxy. CA is great but not for high stress areas.

Joe

RE: Do I use Epoxy or medium CA
 

Epoxy has a little flex and will absorb vibration better. CA isvery hard but brittle and can break over time due to vibration, so it is best to avoid using it for the firewall and any areas not isolated from the engine.

RE: Do I use Epoxy or medium CA
 

X2

Add corner stock if you can.

RE: Do I use Epoxy or medium CA
 

Another vote for epoxy. 

RE: Do I use Epoxy or medium CA
 

Add corner stock and use  either of the glues.

CA is more brittle but it penetrates the wood better than Epoxy does. In most cases of balsa/ply airframes, the weak point will be the wood not the glue.

RE: Do I use Epoxy or medium CA
 

Hi!
Either works!
But I prefer Ca glue...both thin and medium...and of course accelerator! That's a must!

RE: Do I use Epoxy or medium CA
 

Corner or triangle stock and epoxy.
Jaka- we modelers are a funny bunch. I remember using Ambroid back in the day and pinning or clamping everthing together so it MIGHT be set by the morning. Now we have 'instant' glues and wind up using accelerator. Life has speeded up just a bit!!!!

RE: Do I use Epoxy or medium CA
 

I use epoxy on hard wood and CA on balsa.

RE: Do I use Epoxy or medium CA
 

Professional wood glue will work in your application.

The key is to allow ample glue to flow to loosen-up joint, and somehow to clamp the joint down. Wipde out excessive glue from the surface.

RE: Do I use Epoxy or medium CA
 

If the parts are still fitting together, use a slow epoxy (30 minute or slower) and cover the areas to be reinforced/reglued with a thin coat. Now take your heat gun and gently heat the area to the point where you see the epoxy suddenly thin down and seep into every crack and joint. At this point it penetrates into every nook and cranny and, due to the heat, will set up in less than an hour. Leave it set up overnight to let it gain full strength. Even 5 minute epoxy does not retain full strength until after it has set for 12 hours or more. The times printed on the container mean "time to be tack free" not time to fully cure.

RE: Do I use Epoxy or medium CA
 

When in doubt, use epoxy...it's a little heavier, but worth the reinforcement when in question