SOUTHERN COLORADO ROCKETEERS

Common Glue

This group would include white and yellow glues sold by Elmer’s, Franklin, Titebond and others. This glue would compose about 90% of all construction on wood and paper rocket components. The main differences being that the yellow, or woodworking glue is usually waterproof and dries faster. The downside is that it also tends to shrink to some degree and when used in fillets on fins leaves cracks which must then be filled in some manner before painting. The positive aspect of these glues is that they are very forgiving in assembly allowing you to correct mistakes in placement of parts, and are water soluble allowing for quick and easy clean up for the spills when they happen. There is also no offensive or harmful vapors associated with them, which in the winter months with all the windows closed is a definite plus.

Epoxy Glues

There are two basic types in this group, the two part liquid, and the pre-formed putty type. Both require mixing and have a limited set time, ranging from 1 minute to 1 hour. After that time they become as hard as a brick, and any that has been mixed but not used is destined for the trash. An epoxy joint is a far superior bond and is virtually unbreakable, as in the case of model rockets, the material will give way before the epoxy will. an epoxy joint can also be sanded, milled, machined, drilled, and threaded, without compromising the joint. The downside to epoxies are that they are relatively expensive, can be very messy, and fumes ranging from mildly offensive to downright toxic. Extreme care should be used with this type of adhesive.

Cyanoacrylate

Also known as CA, Super Glue, Krazy Glue. This glue has become increasingly popular in the last 10 years, and has many advantages. It has a set time ranging from 2 seconds to around 2 minutes. For use in the field making on the spot repairs, to securing a fin in place till the white glue can dry it is an invaluable addition to any model rocketeer’s box. The downside to CA glues are the fumes, which are toxic at best, and the fact that it will glue virtually anything to anything instantly. Extreme care should be used with this product as you may become permanently attached to your current building project.

Hot Melt glues

At first thought you would think that HM glue would not be used in MR, as it is very stringy to use, is very heavy weight wise, and if you touch while it is still melted can cause severe burns. However, like CA glue it will attach to almost anything and will hold on surfaces that CA will not. It is also more flexible than the other glues so far mentioned, and is an excellent gap filler. While I would not recommend HM for day to day use, it does have its place in the build box.

Plastic Cement

The old standby this glue is used for gluing plastic parts together, and comes in both liquid and gel forms. In today’s market of plastic fins, fin cans, and highly detailed rockets, this cement is used more and more. Plastic cement works by actually dissolving a small part of the plastic where it is joined, causing the two pieces to actually become one. Extreme care should be used, as the more glue is used, the more plastic is dissolved. In my own opinion the liquid form is easier to use and control, but both forms have there uses. As in the case of most solvent glues care should be taken to avoid breathing the fumes. One note, when gluing plastic to paper or cardboard this is not really the best cement to use as it cannot dissolve the cardboard to form a bond, E6000, Epoxy, Hot Melt or a general adhesive usually works better.

Specialty Glues

This is the catchall group, and includes rubber cement, contact cement, mucilage, spray adhesive, general household cement, and a product called E6000. Most of these are very task specific, and are not well suited for general construction. The most common use is for attaching plastic body wraps, gluing plastic to paper or cardboard, and any other projects where nothing else seems to work. Rubber cement is not really a permanent adhesive but at times can be used to attach a painting mask for specialty painting, however cleanup can be more of a chore than it is worth. Contact cement requires exact precision ,when the directions are followed, when the two parts are joined there is no second chance for correct allignment. Contact cement and Spray adhesive are most commonly used in attaching body wraps. Mucilage is a very old glue used mostly for gluing paper to paper, however it causes wrinkles in the paper and should only be used as a last resort. General household cements are sold under a variety of names, and as in the case of mucilage, their usefulness is extremely limited. E6000 is a rather unique adhesive. It has a wide range of uses including gluing rubber. It is extremely slow to set ( around 24 hours ) but if the time is not a major concern, this glue is excellent for gluing plastic to cardboard. I don’t use it very often but I always have a tube on hand for that one problem task that nothing else seems to work on.