Servowires

On my Super Sportster 60, there is a fairly thick piece (approx 3/8") of wood that needs to be slightly warped (per the plans and instructions) to fit into place. Two of them basically make up the upper rear sides from behind the canopy back to the tail. The instructions say to "paint it with ammonia" and then slightly over twist it in a vise. I know a picture here would be worth a lot but does anyone have experience with this and/or is there a better way to do this?

MerlinL14

Any commercial window cleaner spray contains ammonia this will serve your purposes down to a tee. When twisting the balsa do not over-do it, only twist it slightly more than than required and allow to fully dry before fitting it.

ziggy-RCU

I HAVE USED AMMONIA A NUMBER OF TIME AND IT DOES PENATRATE BETTER THAN WATER..IT IS A LITTLE STINKY AND I USE A SPONGE SOAKED IN AMMONIA AND ONE A PEICE THIS THICK I WOULD APPLY IT LIBERALLY.

jaka

Hi!
I have also tried bending/warping balsa with amonia...never have had any luck with it though...never experienced it too be better than just pure water!
Regards!
Jan K
Sweden

Vic3D

My Feedback: (19)

Ditto, Water is the best way to soak and bend balsa. Go for it. Good luck.

Vic

rwfly

My Feedback: (8)

Barry
Use the green windex works great much better than water. Over bend about 20 to 30 % and keep wet by spraying or brushing for about an hour then let dry about 2 to 3 hours. If you need more set do again with a little less over bend. Done a lot of this works great.

spokman

My Feedback: (2)

Ammonia is supposed to break down the cells in the balsa making it easier to bend.