Balsa aircraft models

[duncancallum]

right just a quick one.

when I was a lad you used to be able to get a glue called tissue cement for bonding the tissue paper to the balsa frame. I cant find any now. whats replaced it?

cheers

Duncan

[SlipStream77]

There is some here...

http://www.samsmodels.com/acatalog/Section_A._Adhe...

But you're right, it's not widely available now by the looks of it.

I think most people just use dope to stick it to the frame now.

[tr7v8]

SlipStream77 said:

There is some here...

http://www.samsmodels.com/acatalog/Section_A._Adhe...

But you're right, it's not widely available now by the looks of it.

I think most people just use dope to stick it to the frame now.

Tissue paste is just a weak flour & water paste, but I found it leaves hard spots where it dries on the tissue. I always use dope, thinned dope on airframe allow to dry. Cut tissue roughly to shape but oversize, wet tissue & squeeze till damp. Lay damp tissue on the airframe & apply thinned dope over the whole area & it will stick it down.

[duncancallum]

cheers for that I'll have a go with dope and see how that turns out

if not i know where to get it

[dr_gn]

duncancallum said:

right just a quick one.

when I was a lad you used to be able to get a glue called tissue cement for bonding the tissue paper to the balsa frame. I cant find any now. whats replaced it?

cheers

Duncan

I have had a lot of success with 'Litespan'. This looks like tissue, but is very strong and is used in conjunction with 'Balsaloc' adhesive, which you lightly apply to the frame. The Litespan shrinks very easily with an iron (like solarfilm, but much, much easier) and the finished result is extremely tough and light. Here is an example (not one of mine):



Give it a try.

[Quick silver]

tr7v8 said:

SlipStream77 said:

There is some here...

http://www.samsmodels.com/acatalog/Section_A._Adhe...

But you're right, it's not widely available now by the looks of it.

I think most people just use dope to stick it to the frame now.

Tissue paste is just a weak flour & water paste, but I found it leaves hard spots where it dries on the tissue. I always use dope, thinned dope on airframe allow to dry. Cut tissue roughly to shape but oversize, wet tissue & squeeze till damp. Lay damp tissue on the airframe & apply thinned dope over the whole area & it will stick it down.

Many moons ago I used to use celulose dope but I don't have much call for it any more: http://www.alwayshobbies.com/Store/Model-Boats/Mat...