Model Boat Mayhem

Technical, Techniques, Hints, and Tips => Other Technical Questions... => Topic started by: dpbarry on April 19, 2010, 08:24:23 pm

Title: Re: Using Plastiweld ( + Ready 2 / 3 ABS model plane )
Post by: dpbarry on April 19, 2010, 08:24:23 pm
Hi Folks..

Bit of a question from the dark side - you know that side where the ground can jump up and grab things in the air  :embarrassed:

I'm putting togther an aircraft made from ABS and they suggest using Cyno or Epoxy but I'm not happen with using these glues becasue I don't thing they give a good solid joint.  A colleague has suggested using Plastiweld to cement both surfaces together then using epoxy to seal up areas such as the bulkhead.

I've tried it on a test piece of ABS but my question is, how long roughly does it take plastiweld joints to 'solidify' to a nice hard joint as such and are there any special recommendations for making the joints.

It has been recommended to give both surfaces a coat of plastiweld to 'soften' both surfaces then fit the bits into position then run a bead around the edge using capillary action.

What are the views on the maestros??

Regards

Declan
Title: Re: Re: Using Plastiweld ( + Ready 2 / 3 ABS model plane )
Post by: DickyD on April 19, 2010, 08:35:56 pm
Put the two pieces of ABS together and run down the joint with a small artist brush loaded with Plastweld.

The Plastweld will join the two by capillary action.
Title: Re: Re: Using Plastiweld ( + Ready 2 / 3 ABS model plane )
Post by: dpbarry on April 19, 2010, 09:12:22 pm
Cheers.

Would I need to 'wet' both surfaces prior to putting them in place or just go for the single in-place run with plastiweld.

Declan
Title: Re: Re: Using Plastiweld ( + Ready 2 / 3 ABS model plane )
Post by: mook on April 19, 2010, 09:55:32 pm
place together and let capillary action do its work. Just gentle pressure to hold it together, it will hold in seconds but takes about a day or so to reach its full strength
Title: Re: Re: Using Plastiweld ( + Ready 2 / 3 ABS model plane )
Post by: dpbarry on April 19, 2010, 11:19:15 pm
Cheers Folks

All ready for tomorrow evening  :D

Declan
Title: Re: Re: Using Plastiweld ( + Ready 2 / 3 ABS model plane )
Post by: FullLeatherJacket on April 20, 2010, 07:52:33 am
Declan
Plasticweld is very volatile and any attempt to wet the two surfaces would result in either the stuff evaporating before doing anything or the plastic softening and becoming distorted, making your mating joint non-mating.
DickyD is spot on with his comments. I would also suggest that you might hold the two parts together with short lengths of masking tape at interval along the joint, to hold it while the Plasticweld does its job. The plastic parts are fused together as the joint softens and then becomes hard again under the action of the solvents evaporating. Quite how long this takes before you can handle the workpiece depends on how much solvent you use and how big the mating area of the joint is.
Like they always say, try it on a piece of scrap material first - if you can.
FLJ
Title: Re: Re: Using Plastiweld ( + Ready 2 / 3 ABS model plane )
Post by: Peterm on April 20, 2010, 08:33:35 am
The way I do it, regularly, is to use a few drops of superglue to join together then a coat of plastiweld along the joints.   Takes only a few seconds to harden.   Pete
Title: Re: Re: Using Plastiweld ( + Ready 2 / 3 ABS model plane )
Post by: dpbarry on April 20, 2010, 09:06:34 am
Cheers Everyone..

I've tried out putting the parts in place on the scrap Ready 2 and running a bead along the joints to see how it goes.

Will let you know how I get on.

Declan
Title: Re: Re: Using Plastiweld ( + Ready 2 / 3 ABS model plane )
Post by: PMK on April 20, 2010, 10:17:29 am
Man, how did you managed to scrap your Ready2?! I thought they were supposed to be nigh but indestructable.
With regards to melding plastics, and all the previous sound advice, have you considered also running a hot (soldering) iron along the join? Quite good results can be achieved, but you might want to try it on some scrap pieces first?

Pse let me know if there any parts of your scrapped Ready2 that you might want to sell.
Title: Re: Re: Using Plastiweld ( + Ready 2 / 3 ABS model plane )
Post by: Martin (Admin) on April 20, 2010, 12:03:25 pm

Ah, the good old Ready 2... now Ready 3! - http://www.tiger.com.tw/article/news/307.html
 
I had one, great plane, very tough and mine needed to be!
 I put mine together with thick superglue and slow set epoxy.
  Roughen up the surfaces with sandpaper first.
Title: Re: Re: Using Plastiweld ( + Ready 2 / 3 ABS model plane )
Post by: dpbarry on April 20, 2010, 12:56:11 pm
Hi Martin..

I see you went for two aileron servos.  How well does it work? 

I have a spare set of wings from the Ready 2 that are the same for the Ready 3 (albeit slightly darker white) and was looking at possibly using these as a spare wing set with flaps - hence 2 servos

I now have a number of options for gluing in the firewall etc.  Up to me to decide!!

regards

Declan
Title: Re: Re: Using Plastiweld ( + Ready 2 / 3 ABS model plane )
Post by: Martin (Admin) on April 20, 2010, 01:46:44 pm

I was never that good a flyer so can't give you expert advice but ailerons with two servos is very easy to set up and adjust,
 setting up the 'flaperons' was a right pig of a job! Every time setup the radio, servos, links, arms etc. the flaps would go  up
  instead of down, invert the ailerons, lock up or all three! eventuality I got it right and then they weren't that  effective anyway!

 I also had the Cardinal 177 with a 70 four stroke in it, but it was a bit heavy and bit too fast.
 "  "     "    "    Jupiter, the low wing version of the Ready 2. My first one dive in with a dead battery - user error.
 "  "     "    "    Jupiter, a 2nd, 2nd hand one but it was crap.
 "  "     "    "    Carosel, with a underpowered engine in it... guess what happened to that!

Title: Re: Re: Using Plastiweld ( + Ready 2 / 3 ABS model plane )
Post by: Big Ada on April 20, 2010, 06:13:45 pm
Er, to get back to plastiweld,a cheaper option is to use Plumbers abs pipe CLEANER NOT the solvent, you get more for less £s.

Use as Plasiweld, if you need a gap filler then put some liquid into a small glass lidded jar and add some small off cuts of Styrene and leave for a few hours and you will have a thicker liquid to fill your gaps.

Len,tight as two welded pieces of Styrene !
Title: Re: Re: Using Plastiweld ( + Ready 2 / 3 ABS model plane )
Post by: dpbarry on April 21, 2010, 01:14:57 pm
Man, how did you managed to scrap your Ready2?! I thought they were supposed to be nigh but indestructable.
With regards to melding plastics, and all the previous sound advice, have you considered also running a hot (soldering) iron along the join? Quite good results can be achieved, but you might want to try it on some scrap pieces first?

Pse let me know if there any parts of your scrapped Ready2 that you might want to sell.

heh..heh..  Not the way I went in  :embarrassed:

Up.. Over .. Down..  Splatttttttt!! The fuselage was vertical in the air with engine buried into soft wet field.  Probably would have been worst if the field had been dry.  No parts able to be salvaged.  Don't even trust the servos!!

I'm even suspect about the engine.  I have a TT GP42 whcih I may use instead of the TT 46 Pro until I get it checked out.

Declan
Title: Re: Re: Using Plastiweld ( + Ready 2 / 3 ABS model plane )
Post by: Circlip on April 21, 2010, 01:44:07 pm
And if you're sure it's Gergenuine ABS, the glue of choice used to be Balsa Cement. Sadly the thickoes got this banned cos they like to sniff it  :o  so Plumbers PVC/ABS solvent cement is good. (Comes with a brush fixed in the lid)

  DON'T ferget to take Passport/Pension book to prove you're over 16. O0

  Regards  Ian.
Title: Re: Re: Using Plastiweld ( + Ready 2 / 3 ABS model plane )
Post by: PMK on April 21, 2010, 02:12:10 pm
heh..heh..  Not the way I went in  :embarrassed:

Ah. Kind of how the Yanks would describe as "drilling for oil."
How bout the landing gear struts, and/or the wing bolt? Did any of those survive? If so, would you be interested in selling?

Back to the main point... Electricians use the same-similar cement as Plumbers for their plastic conduits. Just remember to make sure the lid is well tight afterwards.
Title: Re: Re: Using Plastiweld ( + Ready 2 / 3 ABS model plane )
Post by: Big Ada on April 21, 2010, 04:08:23 pm
And if you're sure it's Gergenuine ABS, the glue of choice used to be Balsa Cement. Sadly the thickoes got this banned cos they like to sniff it  :o  so Plumbers PVC/ABS solvent cement is good. (Comes with a brush fixed in the lid)

  DON'T ferget to take Passport/Pension book to prove you're over 16. O0

  Regards  Ian.


No NO not the Solvent cement, it the Cleaner that you want.

Len.
Title: Re: Re: Using Plastiweld ( + Ready 2 / 3 ABS model plane )
Post by: DickyD on April 21, 2010, 05:40:04 pm
And if you're sure it's Gergenuine ABS, the glue of choice used to be Balsa Cement. Sadly the thickoes got this banned cos they like to sniff it  :o  so Plumbers PVC/ABS solvent cement is good. (Comes with a brush fixed in the lid)

  DON'T ferget to take Passport/Pension book to prove you're over 16. O0

  Regards  Ian.
Remember this is like a paste, and if applied to thickly it will melt your plastic. Also needs to be used in well ventilated place and if used on boat will stink it out for weeks to come.
Title: Re: Re: Using Plastiweld ( + Ready 2 / 3 ABS model plane )
Post by: dpbarry on April 22, 2010, 09:18:05 am
Ah. Kind of how the Yanks would describe as "drilling for oil."
How bout the landing gear struts, and/or the wing bolt? Did any of those survive? If so, would you be interested in selling?


Actually, the landing gear struts and front steering wheel are okay.  I'm keeping them as spares as they fit the Ready 3.

Sorry..

Declan
Title: Re: Re: Using Plastiweld ( + Ready 2 / 3 ABS model plane )
Post by: PMK on April 22, 2010, 10:55:07 am
No worries.
And thanks. Hope you didn't mind me asking.
Title: Re: Re: Using Plastiweld ( + Ready 2 / 3 ABS model plane )
Post by: Martin (Admin) on April 22, 2010, 01:29:26 pm
I might have a spare set PMK, I'll have a look for you this weekend.

Title: Re: Re: Using Plastiweld ( + Ready 2 / 3 ABS model plane )
Post by: Martin (Admin) on April 22, 2010, 01:30:16 pm
Topic renamed.   :-)
Title: Re: Using Plastiweld ( + Ready 2 / 3 ABS model plane )
Post by: Circlip on April 22, 2010, 02:06:10 pm
Well if you just want to use the cleaner, go get a can of MEK.

 
Quote
Remember this is like a paste, and if applied to thickly it will melt your plastic

  So don't trowel it on.

  Airfix kits melt if you slop poly cement all over them.

  The first Graupner Cirrus ABS fusegulges used to break at the front boom joint and had to be bandaged with Cloth tape and Balsa cement (Gloopy) to effectively repair. The "Thickener" is sometimes needed as a gap filler.  :-))

  Regards  Ian.