|
|
Post by coupe1942 on Mar 4, 2015 4:46:09 GMT 1
I watched this video and decided I'd give it a try on my Catalina. Unfortunately for me, I just spotted and issue with the rudder that is hinged and found it to be cracked in that hinged area. Not sure if it happened during shipping and I simply missed it or if it got damaged in some manner as I did some mods on it. It is actually a weak area, as is some ailerons on other planes. I am ever so glad I spotted this issue, as it could be a real disaster in flight. Any rate, I have no experience with the product, but I thought I'd give it a go before trying anything else as far as a hinge to replace the damage. However, when I went to my local Lowe's, they didn't have the product at all as was said in the video and on some other RC sites. It was actually difficult to locate here so I ended up with an Ebay purchase and will get it on Saturday. I'll try it out then. Not sure if anyone else has ever used it with success or not, but the video seemed good and, like say, I am willing to experiment. Just thought someone else may find it useful to try on a SC. If you have used it, let us know what it worked like for you. I could have used hinges for the repair, but if this works as good as in the video, I'll be happy with it. www.youtube.com/watch?v=UmyqdMbVf0k  |
|
|
|
Post by flydiver on Mar 4, 2015 17:57:15 GMT 1
It works. It does eat up some foam so test first. Practice on some scraps to get a feel for how thick to put it on and spread it.
Shortcoming - It's pretty strong generally but the ends tend to tear over time. I now use a little blendderm (or similar tape) to reinforce the ends. I have not had a whole hinge release suddenly, just slow tearing use/abuse.
|
|
|
|
Post by coupe1942 on Mar 4, 2015 18:17:35 GMT 1
Not sure if this alternative product is any better or has similar problems as you mentioned about Welder's Glue. I already ordered the other, so this won't be my first choice. Unfortunately, the cost for tax and shipping to my home state means it is about 3-4 times higher than the Welder's Glue. I don't have any local RC hobby shop places here and have not found any stores carrying this product here. I just don't have enough broken hinges on my various planes to purchase more hinge repair products, but maybe someone wants to use this product and technique instead of the Welder's Glue. Seems like either may have some good qualities and applications for specific use with them. It was a funny typo to notice, but they misspelled foam in the header of the video. :-)
|
|
|
|
Post by flydiver on Mar 4, 2015 18:44:57 GMT 1
Very similar in concept. It's a contact cement.
Advantages - clear, foam-safe, might be stronger....maybe. How do you tell for sure the way these glues get used in real life?
|
|
|
|
Post by Knackered Sailor on Mar 4, 2015 20:14:30 GMT 1
Interesting but sod the foam-tac, who wants to have to keep taking it apart over a dozen times before actually sticking it? OK on those little bits of demo foam but a fuselage length or ailerons?
|
|
|
|
Post by coupe1942 on Mar 5, 2015 21:53:32 GMT 1
I doubt it is realy all that much of an issue for most parts on foam planes. In a tight spot it may be, but looking at all the previous photos of wrecked planes posted at this site alone, I'd suspect that most repairs are not all that tedious to do this with and the results are likely to be pretty good with the stuff. I am wondering just how brittle over time it gets or if that is not an issue with Foam Tac as it may be with other glues? None the less, it is just another alternative to perhaps keep in mind for something to go into the repair tool box.
The hinge repair I will need to do was totally unexpected, as the plane has not had any flights in the least and no real abuse in carrying it about my home as I built it. Finding a good repair technique is something I am sure pleased with, as it is my first repair of this sort and I need the experience to be on the positive side. I am looking foward to getting in the Welders' Glue and learning if it works well or not. If not, I'll try a different tac/tact (pun) intended.
It is interesting at this site and others to find out about some of the various hinge repair techniques and glues. One never knows when it may come in really handy. Some folk are dead set that the only good hinge repair is made with a plastic hinge as replacement. Me, I am pretty well decided that each glue has a specific purpose and some really bad uses as well as good ones in which you choose to use. as I said though, this is a first for me, so I could be totally wrong, as I am inexperienced in the subject. I am in a learning mode though. :-)
|
|
|
|
Post by Knackered Sailor on Mar 6, 2015 11:55:39 GMT 1
I got a tip from another forum that I tried and it worked a treat and that was Solvent Free Fabric Glue. Dries clear and flexible, over here it's make is Diall available in DIY stores. Use similar to impact adhesive except that it takes about half hour to go tacky before joining the two surfaces.
|
|
|
|
Post by coupe1942 on Mar 8, 2015 2:26:54 GMT 1
Got my Welder's Glue in today, but I won't get to fixing the plane for a bit. However, I found another video that supports using plain contact cement from a tube. Just interesting to view. I watched someone use the packing tape that is reinforced, but the guy was a complete fool and more of his video was filled with screwups than anything useful. Crazy how folk post videos as that and why.
|
|
|
|
Post by Crazy Horse on Mar 8, 2015 10:19:43 GMT 1
Knackered Sailor, thanks for the tip and post.
30 mins tack time seems just right, the maid can bring fresh Earl Grey tea to enjoy, then I can make the repair. I still like plastic hinges epoxied in for ailerons and the like though, good and reliable.
|
|
|
|
Post by coupe1942 on Mar 8, 2015 20:36:59 GMT 1
Well, I did the repair work on my rudder today. So far, in working it back and forth, it appears to be pretty strong and works well. However, the true test is in flight and under those stresses, so that will have to wait until i am ready for the maiden flight on this gal. Any rate, this was easy to do and even a novice should be able to accomplish it in this manner. I need to do some gray paint touchup, but overall, the repaired hinge is looking pretty good at present. In the photos, the top of the rudder (Orange circle about area in first photo) actually is free turning and does not have any pin or attachment point to the plane. The rudder (Yellow circle about area in 3rd photo) is where the hinge is and it is from the same foam as the fuselage. Not a plastic hinge or such. You can see the lower portion and where the foam had torn away that made the hinge there. The Welder Glue seems to have patched it well, so far. I did have to loosen the push rods at the control arms so that the hinge could move freely while being repaired. After some gray touchup, I doubt anyone would ever notice any repair to the area to begin with. Hoping to get it all finished out soon and get up into the air with it soon, as well. I could have gone ahead and painted the ailerons with the Welder Glue at this point, but I want to see how this repair holds up before even considering such. The glue seems to have a yellowish tinge when it dries, but it has not been 24 hours of dry time yet, so that may change. It does not matter to me though, as I'll wisk a brush over it with the touch up gray and no one will notice.    |
|
|
|
Post by Crazy Horse on Mar 9, 2015 16:03:49 GMT 1
Hi coupe1942, I am glad all has gone well so far for you, it looks to be a good job. Just one thing though, pictures 2 and 3 have me itching to use a very fine glasspaper on all those pimples on the foam! No offence, but it would drive me mad, perhaps I am a bit finicky, actually I am definitely finicky!  Please keep posting and let us know how it all holds up after flight. now off to have a MARMITE sandwich! |
|
|
|
Post by coupe1942 on Mar 9, 2015 17:58:48 GMT 1
Someone suggested using Marmite as the glue for the repair, but I chose not to as I didn't need a dedicated tail-dragger with all the weight of that heavy stuff at the rear. :-)
|
|
|
|
Post by Crazy Horse on Mar 10, 2015 10:53:54 GMT 1
Someone suggested using Marmite as the glue for the repair, but I chose not to as I didn't need a dedicated tail-dragger with all the weight of that heavy stuff at the rear. :-) MARMITE is far too precious to use for such a purpose!  |
|
|
|
Post by Knackered Sailor on Mar 11, 2015 12:49:41 GMT 1
Someone suggested using Marmite as the glue for the repair, but I chose not to as I didn't need a dedicated tail-dragger with all the weight of that heavy stuff at the rear. :-) MARMITE is far too precious to use for such a purpose!  I'm with you there ch I'm absolutely shocked that using Marmite as adhesive could even enter someone's mind! What appalling waste of such a priceless substance. Back later, I've got to go and lie down for a while. |
|
I'm with you there ch I'm absolutely shocked that using Marmite as adhesive could even enter someone's mind! What appalling waste of such a priceless substance. Back later, I've got to go and lie down for a while.