|
The Model Shop
Continuing from the FebruaryYankee Flyer
Recovering
Back in my working days at Itek, how many times I admonished people
to "read ALL the words before proceeding" with their assigned tasks?
Now that covering the Playboy Junior with 21st Century's Coverite
Transparent Microlite film is completed (and it came out wrinkle
free!), I was doing a little research for this month's newsletter.
To make a comparison with Monokote's 1.8 oz/sq yd and Microlite's
0.6 oz/sq yd, I queried Coverite for the material's tensile strength
and "was it fuelproof?" I hadn't seen the word "fuelproof" on Tower's
catalog web page or on the instruction sheet that comes with the
roll of Microlite. They responded that on their Coverite web page
it says "not fuelproof". Sure enough it's there in the fine print.
It pains me to have to rip off the beautiful, clear covering, so,
take a tip, thoroughly investigate when using a new product and
"read all the words!"
Construction
When building 40-size and larger models, wooden dogs nailed into
the pine building board to hold parts in place during construction
works great! (See July 2003 Yankee Flyer). However, building
the Playboy Junior's fuselage with its small, light structure, the
dog system was too big to be practical. The first item below addresses
this problem. The Pin clamp and Balsa Filler text below, in general,
are excerpts from the current issue of SAM Speaks, the bimonthly
publication of the Society of Antique Modelers.
Pin
Clamps
Recently there have been requests for information on where to obtain
the old Rocket City Pin Clamps. The Pin Clamp puts a larger head
on a standard tee pin. The pin clamp is tight on the pin, but can
be forced to slide up and down on the pin shaft. Place the pin near
the object to be clamped, and then slide the clamp down so that
it is pressing down on the object. With this system, the tee pin
is not pushed into the balsa, thus preventing the wood from splitting.
It is great for building rubber, gas and small electric models.
$3.19 per package of 50. Nelson Hobby also carries other Rocket
City products.
Pin Clamp (Part No. RCL 55)
Nelson Hobby Direct
PO Box 1327
Keller, TX 76244
817-431-9898
www.nelsonhobby.com
Balsa Filler
Here's an excellent product; Elmer's Carpenter's Wood Filler. It's
readily available at most hardware stores. A 3-1/4 oz tube can be
had in Lowe's paint department for $1.96. Its neat stuff as the
tube hangs upside down on your shop wall as seen in the photo. This
method keeps the moisture in the snout preventing a drying out of
the material. The putty-like substance is easy to apply and when
sanded the natural color blends in perfectly with balsa. Be sure
to select the "Natural" color as it comes in a variety of wood tones.
Elmer's also makes a 2-part epoxy wood filler when structural strength
is required.
GOOP
Hanging on the wall next to the Filler and J-B Weld is a small tube
of GOOP adhesive purchased from Lowe's for $2.98. This material
is extremely tenacious. A little dab every inch or so will hold
the receiver antenna wire in place up and away from the servos.
Also, in addition to mechanical landing gear straps, fill the block
groove to imbed the LG wires thus giving a belt-and-suspenders solution.
Unlike epoxy, GOOP stays flexible. It can be used to securely hold
anything in place but can be removed if necessary with pliers. Apply
it using a tooth pick.
|
|
|
J-B WELD, Elmer's Wood Filler and the amazing
GOOP!
|
Remember Folks...Two minutes a day!
|