"Stick Model" glue

[rayd]

Hi..I'm new to this forum. I built many flying/static models decades back. After a long absence, am trying to busy retirement with "stick models." Times have changed, including supplies we bought easily. Subject of glue ...think I have answer, but would like more input, since some items hard to get nowadays...lack of hobby shops, limited/lack of supplies, including glues, and pricey...but that's life.

Any members have experience assembling using commonly available Elmer's Glue All? It's easy to find, odor not bad, and cheap. I don't need hot fuel proof. (Display models.) I think Elmer's ok for tissue covering, but dunno about assembly... doesn't seem tacky enough, but I may be wrong. Any suggestions/tips?. Am leaning toward Testors fast drying for assembly and Elmer's for paper covering. Testor's come in small tubes, not cheap especially mail order, and while not terrible, it's odor may still annoy. Thanks for your opinion.

[cliffm]

I find using a good wood glue for frame work is fine Elmer's included. Drying time is a little inconvenient and you need to secure parts with clamps,pins,weights,or any thing resourceful that will do the job of holding pieces in position while they dry. But the strength of these glues is comparable to epoxies so they are quite strong and reliable when used correctly. Ive found a plastic glue called Duco, comes in a green tube can sometimes be found in the dollar stores and other value markets quite reasonably.

[rayd]

Thanks cliffm....I'll give it a try, I've 4 Guillows kits waiting. If Elmer's white glue holds but takes more time, so be it. (Or did you mean the Elmers Carpenter's glue, the tan one??) Say, the Duco you refer to is likely old Duco Cement from ye olde' days. Its usually a buck at Family Dollar store chain for a 1 oz. green tube. Its also in some hardware stores for more. It's clear, strong, dries reasonably fast, strong odor, plus its tacky, and is versatile, but follow instructions.... many warnings...its flammable, irritant, etc.

I'm still shopping for some reasonable workboard material for assembly...will check craft stores/big box depot places. Years back, I just used soft pine scrapwood hammering pins into it. Not the best. Sadly, the only hobby shop not too far from me is closing, a casualty of our economy.

[ADW 123]

buy up that hobby shop and take over.

i use white glue for the most part. its good to have some CA glue on hand in case you have a stubborn piece that just wont stay to one with too much tention you wont be able to hold it down in place for elmers glue to dry.

[wmikedavis]

I have been using Formular 250, 2" insulation board.....got an 8ft x 2ft x2in for $20 at Home Depot. Cut a 30" piece off and saved the rest for replacement stock. The one I am using now is over a year old and has many more builds left in it. "caution" don't get any dope on it ...
dope just melts it into goo
[img][img]http://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx341/wmikedavis/myspaceceiling002.jpg[/img]
I use 1 3/4" tee pins and push pins to hold things while they dry[/img]

[ADW 123]

i found that gypse foam is much more chemical resistant than any of the other foams i have used. i used it as a board to hold down parts when i doped bannana oil on it (thinned with nitrate dope thinner) and the foam did not melt at all.

[Xanadu]

An old ceiling tile works great for me. I use both white glue and CA glue.

[joecrouse]

Old school fiberboard ceiling tile. The fiberglass ones wont hold But the Fiberboard (homasote) ones will work just fine. OR the insulation foam boards that home depot sells. The final suggestion is the thick white foam boards from AC moore and other places.

[peterc4]

I have a piece of ceiling tile glued to a pine board. Cut parts out on the pine side and build on the ceiling tile side. You can rest it on your lap or throw it on a table.

Only gotcha is you need to make sure the pine board is dead flat and doesnt cup/warp. I made breadboard ends for the thing and have never had a problem.

Plywood is too flexible to do this (tried it) even the thicker stuff.

Beacon 527 is a great Duco substitute, available at most craft stores. Near me I can only find Duco at the hardware store and a small tube of Duco costs about the same amt as a large tube of Beacon 527.

[Szyp]

I spent the money and bought the Guillows work board. What a pleasure- it is flat, straight, and pins go in and come out easily. On the subject of glues, when I was young- 50 years ago, we used Ambroid. Is that stuff still around?

[StefanJ]

Glue:

I use slightly thinned yellow carpenter's glue (aliphetic resin).

Bulding surface:

I started building my Cessna 180 on a piece of "foam core". As long as you keep it out of the sun it stays nice and flat.

Since then, I found, or bought at thrift shops, three nice big cork-surfaced bulletin boards. The kind with wooden frame edges. I have a spot behind a computer desk where I can store them vertically.

[rayd]

You mean the orange stuff which did not dry clear? Generous tube as I recall...only big negative maybe it wasn't clear. Strong odor too and you got used to picking it off your fingers all day. But it was great otherwise. Soon though, I think some glue called Everfast became more popular...it was clear, and if you wanted to just clear dope a plane, it was a good glue to use. Ambroid packed it in some years back, but I saw it on line recently somewhere, again...smaller tube, costlier....but its around, again. Think its still orange like color. Wonder if its as good as before?

I'd love that balsa board, but have that budget to work within. Will try less expensive "stuff" first, craft store materials, hardware stores, etc. Will put it on wish list though for Santa Claus to consider. Sadly, I got a sockful of coal, NO...it was actually a few leftover charcoal briquettes last year, but I'll think positive this year. I've been good, mostly. Thanks for your tip.

[Szyp]

I agree with everything you said. I had to reach budget wise to get the work board- but it was worth it. I hope Santa remembers this.....

[hurt138]

Ambroid glue is great! It is all I have ever used.

[Arlo DiPasquale]

Elmers glue definitely works the best for me, with a little bit of CA or Testors wood cement where necessary. As for a workboard, I spent the money on the one from Guillow's. It works great and has held up well under almost continuous use for the past 5+ years.