Scratchbuilding Tips, Tricks, & I Wish I Knew That Thread

[Murocflyer]

Here is something I just learned. I am building a balsa tail for my PEC and I wanted it to be light and strong. Sometimes this can be a difficult combination but I thought I would give it a try.

I found some 12" x 24" sheets of 1/32" basswood at Michael's craft store and I decided to glue the sheets together with some 30 minute epoxy. I cut the pieces to shape and then spread the epoxy in a thin even coat about 3 mils thick. I then put the two pieces together and weighted it down. Once it cured, I could not believe how stiff it made the two sheets. Now I simply have to cut out the lightning holes and this horizontal will be light and strong. I am sold on this method.

Pics below. (That is if I can ever get the pictures to load. :mad:)

Anyone care to share their tips or ideas?

Frank

[dnkehl]

Use a scrap piece of depron foam to spread the glue around evenly. Then you wipe or wash it off and ready to go again.

[dnkehl]

You know those old floppy disks. Take them apart and cut up the media and use them for hinges. I take a pin and poke alot of holes in the area to be glued and that gives it something to grab onto.

[fz1]

I don't build from scratch much but a good tool for thin materials is a standard paper hole punch. You can find them with different size holes depending on the brand. It works real good on thin materials and leaves a cleaner hole than drilling. I now have a whitney hole punch for this with interchangable tips but it cost too much for hobby work.

[dnkehl]

Take old cd disks and cut them up. They make great skids. Can anyone come up with more uses for these?