Ph. D, General Villany
I've got a rocket on the VAD (vehicle assembly desk) with some good fillets, but one is just terrible. Dried wood glue all over the fin, cardboard tube, etc. I tried sanding away the excess glue, but it doesn't seem to be doing anything. Is there a method to get if off without doing much damage to the tube or it's wax covering?
NAR #94783,
Member, MMMSClub, CMASS
Programmer, FTC team 5818, FIRST Tech Challenge 2012-13 "Ring it up!"
Oblivious to time
What can make wood glue soft besides water...
Last edited by bradycros; 25th March 2012 at 12:44 AM.
The process is continuous...
NAR 89819, L1
vinegar
Thanks,
Steve
Rocket Dad
Not sure of a good suggestion to fix other than sanding. But for future fillets be sure to tape off tube and fin first, apply glue then remove tape ... perfect smoothed fillets every time. There should be some pics of this technique here somewhere
Member
that's an awesome idea, thanks for sharing.Originally Posted by SacEsq
Rocket Dad
Thanks ... but I canot take credit for it. I learned it here in TRF.
Oblivious to time
What can make wood glue soft besides water...
Heat, in the form of hot air from a blow drier or heat gun. Use a simple scraping tool to remove the softend glue.
The tube doesn't have wax on it. Wood glue doesn't stick to wax.
The process is continuous...
Is this mic on?
If you're and RC guy, a mylar iron might work to help smooth it out. Cardstock guys use them for sealing joints with previously dried glue.
Really explore your relationship with your wife before using her iron. Jus a thought...
latest photo
LOL! way back when we first married (yeah, dinosaurs still roamed the earth..) I bought my blushing bride a 10-4 iron, deluxe with all the bells and whistles an iron could have. Two months later I screwed the pooch when I scorched the hell out of some monocote and ruined it. Still married (with a new iron), tho'....
She made me get my own.
TRA 2383
I'd like to have a smart phone, but I don't qualify.
I'm not user friendly, I have Anti-Social Security.
I don't always do things, but when I do, I think I'm busy
I'm usually left holding the bag. If I got a Right bag, maybe it would be better.
Why is it a launch lug? They are usually too small to carry your rocket to the pad with.
Why do I need an altimeter that talks back to me? I can get that at home.
Ph. D, General Villany
I have a soldering iron, but I don't think that'll work. 700 degrees is far hotter than the flash point of cardboard...
Might a heat gun (for paint stripping and such) work? Or even a hair dryer?
NAR #94783,
Member, MMMSClub, CMASS
Programmer, FTC team 5818, FIRST Tech Challenge 2012-13 "Ring it up!"
Lv 1
a heat lamp will work, you really only need to warm the glue to around 150-175F to soften it.
doubtful stability
For water-based glues (incl a lot of "wood" glues) you can use a hair dryer. A heat gun (as used by house painters) could easily cause damage. One other idea: set it under a 100-watt bulb for a few minutes to soften the glue.
My two cents: You may as well bite the bullet----get out your Xacto and start picking, peeling, and scraping. Maybe use a Dremel on the thick spots. Be prepared to perform repairs on nicks or gouges with stuff like CA (to soak into the basic materials) and filler.
Just curious, though, as to how you got into this mess in the first place....did ya sneeze or something?
Everyone has a right to be stupid, some people abuse the privilege
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