So, while the first challenge for me in gluing these panels, arise from the characteristics of the CA glue itself, and its tendency to grab the panel pretty much instantly as it touches the frame, the next challenge I found only effects the glue-up of the second bottom panel. Actually this challenge also made properly shaping and fitting the second panel much more difficult than fitting the first panel. This challenge unique to the second panel has to do with clamping.
As I’ve mentioned, the shape of the panel effectively changes as it is bent to the curving contours of the hull. So, even just to properly fit the panel requires that it be clamped firmly to the hull all around, in order to gauge where it needs shaping. In fact, in the process of fitting one of these two bottom panels, I had to clamp it, remove and shape (cutting and sanding - mostly sanding,) then reclamp to gauge progress, and remove clamps again to shape some more, numerous times before achieving the proper fit. While this process was definitely tedious, I saw no other way to accomplish it. This brings us to the challenges unique to the second panel.
The exact shape of the panel can only be determined by clamping down (or otherwise holding it down) to the frame ALL AROUND. The problem is that with the second panel it is impossible to clamp it down on the keel side (or centerline side) because the already glued first bottom panel is in the way. (I considered waiting to glue the first panel until after I’d fitted the second one, but decided it would be impossible to achieve a good fit of the two bottom panels where they meet along the keel/centerline if the first panel wasn’t already glued. Also, even then, I’d have still been unable to avoid the problem when it was time to glue the second panel.)
You may notice, in the two pictures, that I have two screws with washers sticking out of the centerboard well. This was the only way I could think of to apply any kind of clamping to the keel side of the second bottom panel. Unfortunately, the only screws I can find that are long enough, are too large a diameter. I had to force them through the center board well, and now they won’t allow me to get the second bottom panel pushed all the way over, against the edge of the first panel. And even at that, the glue-up of the second panel needs more clamps along that side. The panel fights hard to spring away from the frame, and I don’t think trying to hold portions of it down with my fingers until the glue sets enough to hold it in place against its wish to spring away from the frame, into its natural flat shape, is a practical option.
Alright, I’ve done my best to present my two problems (the challenges of the CA glue, in an application where instantly laying the part in the exact correct position is virtually impossible, and the issue of proper clamping of the second panel.) I hope some of you will be patient enough to read my lengthy explanation. As with the model, I couldn’t figure out a better way!🙂