When you are mixing the glue you need to be very accurate in the proportions.
In plastics terms epoxy is formed when two components (each called a Mer) are joined together and form a polymer.
if we have inaccurate mix proportions then we end up with too many of one of the plastics components and the overall cured polymer is weaker.
also when we make a mix, in my situation in a little pill cup, we leave some of the epoxy in the cup.
first confidence check for our bonding is whether the epoxy in the cup set hard.
if we pull the hardened lump of epoxy out of the cup and find that the outside of it is sticky then we haven't stirred the mix adequately. stiring places the two mer parts in close proximity to each other so that the bonding that leads to a solid polymer can take place.
not stirring the mix completely can be as catastrophic as getting the proportions wrong.
if in a few years time you had a doubt about the soundness of glue joints in your turbulent, how would you convince yourself that the aeroplane was safe to fly.
simple really.
you glue up some test pieces with each batch of glue mixed, four or five is probably a good number of test pieces.
you break one after the glue has cured as primary confirmation that the glue batch was sound. the others you keep in a plastic storage box. in 20 years time if you have a doubt you get one or two out and break them with the hammer.
your hands can get an oily coating so when I spend a night gluing I wash my hands periodically to keep them oil free.
here is a rogue little question to exercise the mind and the research skills.
why is it that you shouldn't carry a bag of oranges or lemons in your wooden aircraft?
Last edited by dubbleyew eight; 14th March 2014 at 10:29.