Just so I am not making assumptions that will affect the quality of the plane I am starting to build, I have a question on the use of CA glue.

I know thin CA is used where pieces are placed tightly together and the glue is "wicked" into the joint.

The manual tells me to use medium CA in a bunch of spots (framing the tailfeathers prior to sheeting for example) where I thought it would be best to pin things down then hit them with thin CA. Is the process here cut all the balsa sticks to fit, take them apart, assemble with medium CA, pining it down as you go?

Again, sorry for the dumb questions, but I don't want to find out that my glueing technique was wrong on the maiden flight!

The beauty of using CA is that it will wick into joints and sets quickly. You can assemble stuff first, get the joints just right and then hit it with CA, voila, its done.

If you can get a tight fitting joint properly aligned, then thin CA is the stuff for the job. If the joints aren't perfect or the surfaces are rough, medium CA has a gap filling quality that can add strength, but will take longer to cure.

I'm not sure where you'd use medium CA in framing tailfeathers, unless you use a bit to fill gaps after the assembly in done, or to add a CA "fillet" to finished joints.

CA is great stuff, and I use it for all kinds of things. For example, you can fuel proof a firewall by dribbling a film of CA over it. Most of us have used it for a poor mans threadlock. How about hardening balsa for strength around screws. Morris Hobbies calls for CA to join the wing to the fuse in their profile planes! CA doesn't turn yellow like epoxy, so its great for external usage. More uses than duct tape!

You will find that if you cut the first two pieces to size, put a drop of medium CA on one and hold it to the other for 10 seconds (Keeping it lined up with the plans and flat of course), there's really no need to even pin anything.

When using thin ca,I go back over the joints with medium ca.

Thanks for your help guys now if I could only get my wife to clean out half of "our" hobby room for me!

bout the same time I can do a backwards rolling loop with a PT40.

Hey! How come you know my wife!

I have the opposit problem. Wife always wants to tidy up my stuff (that's what SHE calls it. I call it Hiding my tools)

David,Don`t worry about the questions, I think the dumb part is not asking. Thats what we are all here for. Now for my hint,when I sand balsa I put the dust in a small box with a lid. when making a stick type glue joint just put the end of the stick in the dust ,make the joint and glue with fast c.a. If needed you can go back with medium and put a drop in the vee parts. works for me.Have not had a plane come apart yet,as long as I keep it away from mother earth! good luck AMA14958

I'm working on theory that it's better to ask a dumb question ahead of time, rather than asking for everyone's help, AFTER I've dug myself into a big hole.

I am a computer/network integrator, or rather my company is and that is a point that I am always trying to get across to my customers and my technicians. Dumb questions are a lot cheaper to ask too!