Science Olympiad Student Center

Re: balsa wood [TBC]
Posted By: Iceman

In my opinion CA glue is the devil.:angry: CA goes into the cells of wood which in and of itself is good but then destroys the cells. This causes the weakened wood to break
right at the area where CA ends. Also, it is so strong it is brittle. That is why a plane that hits the wall breaks at CA joints. In towers any kind of tension bend breaks CA joints. The tendency with CA is not to build forms to construct which mean free handing construction. If any structure is not perfectly straight it fails.

Ambroid or Duco cut with 20 to 50% acetone is much lighter than CA. The acetone will carry the glue into wood cell to create strong joints. Acetone evaporates quickly lowering the weight. One trick to using these type glues is to do a second glue coat. It is best to put first coat on while structure is pinned down and second coat after taking structure up
so joints can be welded all the way around. Ambroid will give some without breaking too.

Reason: