I'm thinking about building an MPR this year, would be my first. Haven't decided if I want to go with one of the discounted PSII kits (because they're cheap) or get what I really want, which is one of the NCR kits (Lance Delta or SA14 Archer). We'll see.
Either of these would be pretty much all wood and paper (other than the NC, which isn't glued anyway). And therefore I wonder whether it would be reasonable to build primarily with wood glues. I might have reasons (never mind what they are) to minimize my use of epoxy, though I'm OK with small applications here and there.
I know John Boren has said (if I remember correctly) that he builds his PSII models without epoxy, and Matt Steele at NCR told me that although he prefers epoxy, his models should work fine with wood glue as well. So it certainly seems possible, but I'm trying to figure out what pitfalls to look out for.
Given that that wood glue bonds (Titebond II is my go-to) are allegedly stronger than the wood and paper themselves, where in such a build would forgoing epoxy put me at a disadvantage? There are three possible areas I can think of:
1) Gluing motor mount into airframe: same consideration as with LPR, epoxy won't seize=
2) Any attachments to the motor mount where high heat tolerance is needed. I'm not really sure how much of an issue this is, or if something like Titebond II would be insufficient in any way.
3) Exterior fillets. I love my Titebond No Run No Drip, but I've never tried to use it to create the sort of monstrous fillets that are typically employed on larger rockets. Is it even practical to do so? Would I use the same technique as for epoxy fillets (mask, pour, draw, unmask)? Or would I just have to live with smaller fillets, at the cost of aerodynamics/strength/appearance?
I'm not committed to this idea yet, just feeling things out. Input appreciated.
Either of these would be pretty much all wood and paper (other than the NC, which isn't glued anyway). And therefore I wonder whether it would be reasonable to build primarily with wood glues. I might have reasons (never mind what they are) to minimize my use of epoxy, though I'm OK with small applications here and there.
I know John Boren has said (if I remember correctly) that he builds his PSII models without epoxy, and Matt Steele at NCR told me that although he prefers epoxy, his models should work fine with wood glue as well. So it certainly seems possible, but I'm trying to figure out what pitfalls to look out for.
Given that that wood glue bonds (Titebond II is my go-to) are allegedly stronger than the wood and paper themselves, where in such a build would forgoing epoxy put me at a disadvantage? There are three possible areas I can think of:
1) Gluing motor mount into airframe: same consideration as with LPR, epoxy won't seize=
2) Any attachments to the motor mount where high heat tolerance is needed. I'm not really sure how much of an issue this is, or if something like Titebond II would be insufficient in any way.
3) Exterior fillets. I love my Titebond No Run No Drip, but I've never tried to use it to create the sort of monstrous fillets that are typically employed on larger rockets. Is it even practical to do so? Would I use the same technique as for epoxy fillets (mask, pour, draw, unmask)? Or would I just have to live with smaller fillets, at the cost of aerodynamics/strength/appearance?
I'm not committed to this idea yet, just feeling things out. Input appreciated.