CA Glue recommendation

[Prashun Patel]

My kids are making a balsa wood tower for a school challenge. Any reco's for a good glue that is simultaneously strong and light?

I've heard good things about Nexabond.

[Wes Ramsey]

Prashun,

I'm watching this thread closely. If we plan this right maybe we will get to meet at the world finals in the spring. My 3rd grader also wants to do OOM. However, at the moment my 5yo is the better engineer. Its fun to watch them learn!

[Prashun Patel]

Yes, but try coaching 7 of them! It's like herding cats. OOM is very strict about not leading the kids. So all my 'lessons' are very generic at this point. I'm showing them all types of glues and letting them pick.

My group is 5th graders. Good luck to you Wes. Am totally up for sharing info when your team forms.

[Al Launier]

I have used Nexabond 2500M on several occasions & have had good luck with it.

[Peter Quinn]

Fastcap's 2-P10 system is worth a look, comes in different viscousities for different applications, it's a very quick bond, requires an activator. It's kind of nasty stuff to put in the hands and lungs of children though.

[Kyle Iwamoto]

Elmers white school glue? I'm taking a guess, but I think that bond would be stronger than balsa. No sense is risking teaching kids how NOT to glue their fingers together. If not, what's wrong with Titebond? It's pretty much a non risk also. I know that is stronger than balsa. Just my opinion.

[Prashun Patel]

So, we are not allowed to use an accelerator. Safety IS a concern.

The towers will likely be trusses with many many joints, so quick bonding is a boon.

The tower has to support weight. And judging by past years' competitions, these structures can support hundreds of pounds, so strength is an issue.

Last, there's a weight constraint. About 10 grams!!!! So, every little bit counts.

[Michael Stein]

So, we are not allowed to use an accelerator. Safety IS a concern.

The towers will likely be trusses with many many joints, so quick bonding is a boon.

The tower has to support weight. And judging by past years' competitions, these structures can support hundreds of pounds, so strength is an issue.

Last, there's a weight constraint. About 10 grams!!!! So, every little bit counts.


Do you have a link to the competition? I used to teach pre-engineering courses at the middle and high school level. I ended up changing careers, and am now in healthcare IT, but I may be interested in approaching the school and trying to put together an after school "club" of some type.

[Prashun Patel]

www.odysseyofthemind.com

[Robert LaPlaca]

Hey Prashun, in my younger days used to really be into RC aircraft, towards the end really into 1/4 and 1/3 scale gasoline stuff.. Anyway, I always was a fan of Thin or Thick Zap products, used to use tons of the stuff... At one time Locktite use to make a great CA glue, then they got out of the business of making CA, I see now they are back..

As far as an accelerator, one can use baking soda, either in the end grain of the balsa, or sprinkled over the joint.. Trust me it works..

[Michael Stein]

www.odysseyofthemind.com (http://www.odysseyofthemind.com)

Thanks sir. I will look into it.

[Wes Ramsey]

Hey Prashun, in my younger days used to really be into RC aircraft, towards the end really into 1/4 and 1/3 scale gasoline stuff.. Anyway, I always was a fan of Thin or Thick Zap products, used to use tons of the stuff... At one time Locktite use to make a great CA glue, then they got out of the business of making CA, I see now they are back..

As far as an accelerator, one can use baking soda, either in the end grain of the balsa, or sprinkled over the joint.. Trust me it works..

For that matter, anything that is somewhat absorbent sprinkled over wet CA glue will cure it quickly. I use finely-ground coffee grounds to fill cracks in some turnings, and a bit sprinkled over the crack after applying the glue makes it harden up instantly. Still the issue with fumes though...

I don't know that I want to coach a team just yet. Maybe next year. But I have volunteered to be a sort of technical consultant if they need it, and they can use my shop.

[John Lanciani]

Satellite city, available in three different thicknesses; http://www.leevalley.com/US/Wood/page.aspx?p=20024&cat=1,110,42966&ap=1

Get a bottle of debonder too, just to be on the safe side; http://www.leevalley.com/US/Wood/page.aspx?p=20025&cat=1,110,42966&ap=1

[Mike Nolan]

Dry the wood as close to zero percent as you can. The water in the wood weighs more than the glue.

[Alan Lightstone]

I was pretty fond of the Zap glues from my RC plane days too. And I agree, drying the wood does help.

Accelerator isn't necessary, if you can't use it.

[Dave Lehnert]

I make fretwork clocks and have had very good luck with Gorilla Super Glue from the local big box store.
http://www.gorillatough.com/gorilla-super-glue