Elevated Bridge B/C

[lllazar]

Hey guys im going to my local hobby store soon, and they have Great Planes Pro CA adhesives...i was just wondering if "gap filler" is a bad because i just want a 10-15 second set CA based glue and then a 1-3 second set, but the 10-15 second set-time they have says gap filler....am i just being stupid?

The kind I use says gap filler. It doesn't seem to have a negative effect, although I haven't tested it. With proper building techniques, my joints never break. I think gap filling actually just refers to the viscosity, not a chemical in the glue. Don't take it to mean that you can get away with having gaps between your members, but it should be fine.

Haha that's wat i was thinking, thanks.

[AlphaTauri]

Hey guys im going to my local hobby store soon, and they have Great Planes Pro CA adhesives...i was just wondering if "gap filler" is a bad because i just want a 10-15 second set CA based glue and then a 1-3 second set, but the 10-15 second set-time they have says gap filler....am i just being stupid?

The kind I use says gap filler. It doesn't seem to have a negative effect, although I haven't tested it. With proper building techniques, my joints never break. I think gap filling actually just refers to the viscosity, not a chemical in the glue. Don't take it to mean that you can get away with having gaps between your members, but it should be fine.

Haha that's wat i was thinking, thanks.

Whatever you do, don't get the thin viscosity CA (I'd go with medium instead). Thin CA tends to be a bit runny, it spreads over the wood and glues your fingers to it. Personal experience. Not fun.

[lllazar]

Kk...i think im just gonna use the medium throughout towers...i just don't know where exactly the thin would be better vs the thick.

[jander14indoor]

Thin can be used and is appropriate in some circumstances.

I like to build structures dry and make sure fits are right and then apply glue. Thin CA wicks into the joint without having to dissasemble. It can be done without making a mess, but takes care and technique. Basically you need some method of applying controlled and very small amounts of glue to each joint. You can't apply directly from bottle to joint.

Which works best for you will take practice and experience.

Thanks,

Jeff Anderson
Livonia, MI

[andrewwski]

I prefer the thin stuff - as Jeff said it seeps into the joint. Too thick and it only bonds the outer grains, which tear very easily. But definitely is easy to use too much glue - you need to apply it very carefully, as CA (or any glue for that matter) can add weight very fast.

[lllazar]

Lol i made a "for show" bridge to put at the Sci Oly table at our high school registration - i built it in an hour and it's absolutely terrible...

[crazyhorse]

Does anyone know anything about the rules or guidelines for Storm the Castle in 2011 if it does come back? Any word from the summer institute?

[zyzzyva98]

If I'm not mistaken, Storm the Castle is back for B division only.

[paleonaps]

Yeah, and C has Sounds of Music.