I'm new to the kit building of RC planes. I have one question. What do you recommend for the majority of the structure build? I've see a lot of people use Standard Wood Glue. I've also seen where the plans that I have (4 * 60) call for CA (Thin, Medium, Thick). Just wondering because I'm going to start building and I want to know.

Also chime in with your recommendations on glue selection for the firewall, and internal structure in the fuse.

Thanks.

It's really a matter of preference. I personally like titebond for the majority of the structure. I will use CA in a pinch, or when I need the part glued fast. 30 min epoxy is the choice for most people when it comes to firewall, wing joining, gear block, etc. But recently I have been using polyurethane glue on those places with excellent results.

I do the same thing. Polyurethane glue (Gorrilla, Probond, etc) for as much as I can get away with. CA to get it stuck quick. Thinned epoxy or Z-poxy for the tank bay and FW, I also put a little black paint in there too so I can see everything that has been fuelproofed.

First, the choice of glue depends on several factors. If you are looking for maximum gap filling, strength, and glow fuel resistance choose epoxy..Typical uses are for firewall, landing gear etc. Also can dilute with alcohol to paint entire firewall. For quick tack in place as in when you have the wing parts all laid out on the board use thin CA with medium or thick applied later to the joints to increase strength. For large glue ups like laminating sides, leading edge sheeting where you need more time. TiteBond is a good choice. I personally do not use any medium CA. Find that thick fills gaps better and stays put without running...Hope this helps...Fred123[&:]

I use CA for everything. Use thin for balsa to balsa, medium or thick for ply to ply or ply to balsa. You can use it for firewalls, too. It's MUCH stronger than wood glue, and easier to work with than epoxy.

Dr.1

Wow! I'm in amazement on the speed of the help on these forums. fred, you answered my other question about glue for sheeting. I've updated my shopping list and will be out tonight to get my supplies.

Thanks everyone! I may start a build thread for coverage of my build process on this plane.

DR, Spectre...I think we need to have an emergency fly in. I travel to Greenville regularly and have no problem tossing a plane in the back seat. Waddayasay?

That would be awsome. I live in Rock Hill, SC. Just south of Charlotte, NC. The field I fly out of is between Rock Hill and Spartanburg (Its in York, SC). I'm a member of the York County Flyers. I'm always looking for people to fly with. I'm still a beginner though.
Good to be able to talk to people in the area. RCU is the best site around because of this!

I like CA for the wing. It just speeds up the process so.

And CA for CA hinges, of course.

I use white glue (polyvinyl acetate) for most of the rest. Aileen's Tacky Gue in the bronze bottle. Gives time to position and it is flexible when dry (it's similar to J&Z RC56, but less expensive). You have to clamp, pin or weigh down long joins as it could warp the balsa. It's easy to wipe away the excess with a damp cloth so it doesn't add much weight.

I use 30 minute or better epoxy as I don't much trust the faster stuff. Most of the time it "kicks" in the bottle before I need it (unmized, I'm talking still on the shelf). When I bother with epoxy, I want it for strength, not speed of cure. I do most of my building after work so an overnight glue-up is easy to plan around. I usually have a half gallon of West epoxy & hardener for boating projects with the pump dispancers and an ounce of that is plenty for wing joining or cut with 91% iso. alcohol for fuelproofing a fuselage.

J-B Weld is finding it's way onto my workbench more and more. It's easy to squeeze out small dabs and mix with a toothpich for small applications.

Hi Spectere,

York Co. Flyers here, too. 1/4 scale Fokker tripe and two hot .32 self-designed sport planes.

Dr.1
(Gerald)

You guys are in the same club? York is a bit of a haul from Spartanburg isn't it? I must admit fellow RCU member dieFlugiester, from Minnisota, and I hopped the fence at your field last month for just such a session. He was in town for two days and spent one afternoon with me out there. I was the camera man.

I am a newby to the group, put I like to use a thin CA to tack it and the titebond to finish it. With the amount of glue I go thru, I think I use the balsa to hold the glue.

I use CA as much as possible. It is light and strong but I use it mainly due to my limited building time. Using an alphatic resin (white glue) is acceptable for most glue joints if you have the time to spare and it will save you some money and it does sand easier. I strongly suggest you not use CA or alphatic resin for firewalls, landing gear blocks, wing joining, attaching tail surfaces, etc. Only epoxy should be used in those areas where high strength is required. Better to be safe than sorry.

I use titebond II [for it's watertight abilities] for the initial basic structures and basic sheeting (for problem sheeting I use thin or medium CA for that stubborn-to-sheet wing), and when I need it to hold better while it is drying I add a drop of thin CA while it is setting. For the firewall, landing gear blocks and braces, wing center and dihedral braces, as well as attaching the stabilizer and fin to the fuselage and all other high-stress areas I use 5-minute epoxy for the no-need-to-wait quick gluing jobs and (most-of-the-time) 30-minute epoxy. To fuel-proof the engine and fueltank compartment, as well as attaching the fiberglass cloth to the wing center, I use 30-minute epoxy thinned to a syrupy texture with isopropyl rubbing alcohol (just a few drops is usually enough)

P.S: I used to use CA glues for all the basic structure with epoxies in all the high-stress areas. Until the glue stuck to my hands and everything else around the work bench. And the vapors from the CA - wow what a rush [:@][sm=bananahead.gif], not to mention the stinging eyes .

I use "Tite Bond" for most gluing. I have developed a big time allergy to CA but will still use it minimally as in hinges, but in very ventilated spaces, like outside. For me, the "Tite Bond" does the job. The wait time for set up is very acceptable and it allows a little movement of parts if needed.

DaveB

Great! I should be finished tonight with labeling all the parts. I will then begin the wings.
Dr1Driver, Next time you are going to be at the field, send me a PM. I'll see if I can meet you there!
The York County Flyers now have a website with message board. Check it out!

Well, I have finished labeling all the parts. I was only missing the 1/4" X 1-3/4" Wing Dowels. Luckily I had a 1/4" dowel in my spare parts box from my electrics. It only took me 2 hrs to label all parts and put them in bags. I'll post a new thread when I begin building if anyone wants an update.
Thanks for all the help!