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APPENDIX:
The Tools: (and things you’ll need)
1) Pliers: Something suitable for wire bending.
2) Knives: a Razor knife, and an X-Acto would both be useful.
3) .032” wire for pushrods and possibly landing gear
4) Glue: UHU Creativ’ contact cement, Hot Glue Gun, or Foam-Safe CA, or Elmer’s
White glue, or RC-56 type white glue, or Epoxy. You’ll probably want a couple of
these for good measure.
5) Tape: You’ll want some “crystal clear” Scotch Tape if you can find it. If not, you can
cut down packing tape.
The Techniques: You’ll probably want to practice these on a piece of the scrap foam.
1) Gluing:
a) Contact Cement:
The contact cement will test your patience. I know you’ll be tempted to stick
the pieces together immediately, but don’t be give in. The UHU Creativ’ will form
the strongest bond, if you allow it to dry for about 5 MINUTES before putting the
pieces together, and probably much longer. Put the glue on BOTH surfaces to
be joined. If you’re not used to contact cement, remember you really only get
ONE CHANCE at putting the pieces together. It really is instant gluing! (except
for the waiting, but that’s already over at that point)
The UHU Creativ’ has a long working time. After application, the glue can
sit for nearly half an hour and still make a full-strength bond. If you plan ahead a
little, you can apply the glue to all the fuselage surfaces in the order that you’ll be
assembling them, and the first ones will be ready to press together by the time
that you’re done applying glue to the last. Then proceed in order, for an
exceptionally quick build.
b) Hot Glue Welding:
Although the hot glue gun can be used to attach flat sections, it dries too
quickly to give you much time. The glue gun works best when the parts are
already assembled, and you simply need to make the fit permanent.
Rather than continually pulling back the gun, leaving a globe of glue behind,
move the gun forward, keeping just enough glue flowing that the tip slides easily,
and leaves a seam of glue pressed deep into the corner of the joint. This takes a
little practice, but leaves an unobtrusive glue joint that is incredibly strong. Quick
and easy too!
2) “Rolling the Foam”
a) You’ll be bending the foam to form the airfoil for the wings. Find yourself a
section of 2” PVC pipe, (Or a Baseball Bat, Rolling Pin, Kitchen Counter, Bathtub
edge, etc…) and press the wings firmly and evenly down onto it to form the airfoil
shape. It doesn’t take too much pressure. The airfoil curves more sharply right
near the leading edge, so you can use smaller diameter pipe (or a Broom handle
etc.) to add a little more curvature there if you feel it’s necessary. It’s also
acceptable to just use your thumb, and the side of your index finger to work the
leading edge bend a little.
