CA and Baking Soda

The stab became tilted (fuse warp) on my Brodak Basic Trainer since the last time I used it to teach Scouts to fly. I had run out of gap filling CA and grabbed the baking soda to fill the gap left when straightening the stab.
It occurred to me that some newer builders may not know that you can do this.
Before gap filling medium and thick CA's were available we used baking soda to ensure no gaps. The process is to brush some baking soda on the end grain and drop on some thin CA while holding the parts together. You can make simple (though rock hard) fillets the same way. Just don't stick the tip into the baking soda or you will seal the tip. Although not as fast as using gap filling CA, it is good in a pinch (no pun).
Of course this is not a substitute for good joinery.

That is a good idea to pass on the the *newer* guys.
And maybe, some of the *older* guys, too!
I like to use micro ballons, too, especially in the wing/fuse joint.
Bill

I had to use this method to fill a 1" hole clear through a prop blade on an ultralight to get it 40 miles to its home field. I taped the back of the prop and used several layers until the hole was filled, then removed tape and sanded flush on both sides. Unbelievably strong repair and I got home fine. I did order a new prop, though. I would hate to prove my faith in the repair wrong at 2,500 feet.

You forgoy to mention that baking soda also is a "zap kicker".

If you are using thick ca and you want it to set fast, just sprinkle some baking soda on it.
It sets immediatly!

God bless you!

In Christ,

Ion,
I have not used the baking soda for that purpose. Doesn't it leave hard lumps? Perhaps you just sand down the lumps?
Tell us more about this method.

> Ion,
> I have not used the baking soda for that purpose. Doesn't
>it leave hard lumps? Perhaps you just sand down the lumps?
> Tell us more about this method.
>
> George

George,

It's as simple as I wrote.

But don't take my word, just get two pieces of scrap balsa, join 'em with slow CA and hit it with the baking soda.

I used tis method when I had to glue something I can't remember and I had only some thick CA availabe. I jouned the two pieces, poured the baking soda on 'em and pronto! No waiting.

If you're gonna do this on an outer part of the plane where lumps might show I recomend you to do this test before getting yourself a "finish headache"...

God bless you!

In Christ,

Ion

EDIT

S. You can also do them filets with that Hobbylite filler. You'll find it easier to shape the fillet with the hobbylit stff. I use the balsa colored kind, and it doesn't show.

I just ask you to keep your mouth shut, nobody needs to know that my nice woodwork is a farce!

The approved method for applying BS (Baking Soda, in this case) is to vacuum some into a baby's nasal syringe and simply puff a little "mist" of BS onto the wet CA. This tip comes from Satellite City, "Hot Stuff" creators, circa 1975. It will not make big lumps to sand off. Another useful method is to wet the end of a rib or stick in your mouth, dip it in the BS, wipe off most/all the BS, assemble and glue. This works. I once bought a bottle of kicker, but didn't see a reason to buy another, once it was gone. Steve

PS: Use a new, Baking Soda dedicated nasal syringe!

>PS: Use a new, Baking Soda dedicated nasal syringe!

Don't want no snot on the wood, huh!

Actually, I think we gave ours to our daughter when she had her first 'n. I think I'll sprinkle a little BS (baking soda, that is) on some sheet balsa or cardboard and blow it across the joint and see if that'll work also.

I still have about half a refill bottle of kicker plus what's in the spray bottle so I won't need it for awhile.

I forgot those tips that Satellite City put out so long ago. I think most of us "hot stuff" parts together no matter what brand we use. Sorta like "Crescent" wrench.

If I remember correctly, CyA was replaced by CA because Eastman held patents on CyA. Anyone remember for sure? Just as well I guess because CyA could be confused with CYA...

Anyway guys, nice tip on the Baking Soda dusting as a CA kicker.

It most definitely "kicks" CyA.

Combat fliers used to carry a small squirt bottle of baking soda and thin CyA in the flight box. Repair during the match involved pouring CyA liberally over the break, and dusting it with the baking soda. One person I watched used bulldog clips to hold the profile fuselage in place while splicing the break (and then launching with the clips in place, just in case).

These days, I'd use microballoons mixed with some baking soda. You might also use Cab-o-sil, but I wonder if that stuff is good for you if you breathe it, and it seems to hang in the air a lot longer than baking soda, or even microballoons....

Used Baking Soda for years, on-field repairs for Foxberg prop/ elevator interference (2 planes) Saliva also works, but without the 'welding rod' advantage. Just cut off the oxygen supply, CA will bond pronto. (Cowboy fer 'Rat Now!')