Gluing Saucer Halves: Best Technique?

strangelove · Post by **strangelove** » Sat Jul 18, 2009 7:10 pm

I am about to glue the two halves of the saucer from the AMT 18 inch Enterprise kit and am concerned about the 'time-to-dry' on a seam that is over a linear foot.

My concern is that under-application of a glue (I have on hand Tenax 7R and Ambroid pro-weld) will lead to the beginning point drying out by the time I have applied glue to the end point of the circular seam.

What are some techniques for dealing with large seams that cannot be reinforced on the inside once glued?

Thank you,

USS Atlantis · Post by **USS Atlantis** » Sat Jul 18, 2009 7:15 pm

Best technique for both the Tenax and the Ambroid is as follows

Clamp the pieces together - I have a set of 8 mini-spring clamps I got at the Dollar store; they're black with red rotating 'jaws' - you can use rubber bands at the back end to adjust the clamping strength

Use a 0 or 00 artist paint brush to apply the glue along the junction (the brush that Ambroid includes is too large for this type of gluing process) - capillary action will draw the glue into the joint

Wait to dry

Un-clamp, sand and putty to remove the seam

Kylwell · Post by **Kylwell** » Sat Jul 18, 2009 9:16 pm

With long seams like that I tend to clamp in sections.

Run some Tenax or Ambroid into the joint, clamp that spot. Move over a bit and repeat.

strangelove · Post by **strangelove** » Sat Jul 18, 2009 11:41 pm

Thank you for the replies.

There are two videos, part one and part two, from my Star Trek Model blog that document what I did.

MillenniumFalsehood · Post by **MillenniumFalsehood** » Sun Jul 19, 2009 9:30 pm

I'd use a syringe loaded with cement to glue a saucer section.