After the shake down and many a sorties she is in need of a new dress before the big dance at NATS. How are you all removing the old Balsa? I used the weld wood contact cement to sheet. Okay what are your secrets? [] thanks guys.
I might put out that guitar picks may work well. they are easy to handle, sturty(with the right brand) and can usually get into small areas. If you do try it monk, tell me how it goes.
I use a hammer for the windows, then a sharp chisel and hobby knives to clean off the glue and balsa from ribs, etc. The hammer part is particularly fun
Okay I guess it is Hammer Time (you guys who grew up in the 80 just started humming it didn’t you [] )
Utility knife to get the bigger chunks off. Then I use a belt sander, mostly. Also a Dremel with 1/2" sanding drum for some areas that the belt sander can't quite get. JM
I have heard that having the ship sit in the water for a few ours makes it easier to remove. Something about moisture that does soak into the balsa makes it simpler to remove it all. I am going to try this when I resheet the Des Moines before placeing her on display. She is getting Raided for parts to make the Kron Prinz active.
yea monk, nothing like power tools to make everything easier. i like the idea of soaking it too, the water seeps in, making the wood more flexible, then the power tools, take care of it.
Eric, thats what i told him to do in his recovery topic there. That is the best solution ever, but i dont think he has it in him.
Wood isn't the issue; that comes off easy enough hard or soft. What needs to be chipped, chiseled, ground, etc. is the glue. JM
That's why I glue my balsa on with contact adhesive. Scrape off the old busted balsa, gently scrub the hull down with turps on a rag (using gloves) and voila! no glue.
Hey now Eric easier said than done once you leve the safty of the bench DOUH!!! but thanks for the advice []
Monk, i dont care who you are, or what kind of divine entity is looking over you, your gonna take hits anyway.
I'm going to have to give that a try. I've been using CA, which leaves a hard crust that has to be ground off. The basic technique is to lay beads of thick CA on the ribs, spray the sheet with kicker, & slap it on. With contact cement, I reckon you'd have to lay a bead on the ribs, place the balsa to get some cement onto it, wait, then apply for keeps, right? Turpentine dissolves cured contact cement, then? JM
Even easier that that. Thin the contact cement 50% Cut a piece of balsa to fit paint the hull with the thinned glue and paint the entire piece of balsa too. (We tested, this DOES NOT MAKE IT SELF SEALING) Let both dry for a few minutes. Carefully,since you only get one chance, apply the wood to the hull.
