andy watson Posted March 9, 2011 Share Posted March 9, 2011 Sorry for the chemistry joke! I am about to sheet the fus of my vulcan, and have some fairly tight curves. I want to use ammonia solution to make the balsa bendy, but when I looked in the cleaning section of tesco everything was proudly advertised as ammonia free! So 2 options: 1) Can anyone recommend a widely available (ie in a supermarket) brand of suitable cleaner. 2) Can anyone tell me a suitable ammonia concentration for using to bend balsa, and I will dilute my own down (perk of being a chemistry teacher- all the ammonia you can drink). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Cantwell Posted March 9, 2011 Share Posted March 9, 2011 fish tank shop is where i used to get mine from, i made a bag up, of folded plastic, turned an end over, sealed it, dropped the amoniain, then the balsa, left it over night, you could tie it in knots, then, when it evaporated, it would retain its shape Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Williams Posted March 9, 2011 Share Posted March 9, 2011 window cleaner fella works great and comes in a handy spray Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy watson Posted March 10, 2011 Author Share Posted March 10, 2011 Paul- which brand are you talking about- all the ones I checked were claiming to be ammonia free. Alan, I can get hold of buckets of the stuff, but need an idea of what concentration to use- I don't want to mix something that seems dilute to me, but then weakens the wood over a longer term. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r6dan Posted March 10, 2011 Share Posted March 10, 2011 This any good? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Lambert Posted March 10, 2011 Share Posted March 10, 2011 I think household Ammonia is normally 9-10% with water. Homebase also do/did stock it as a cleaner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Cotsford Posted March 10, 2011 Share Posted March 10, 2011 I bought my last lot from Tesco as household Ammonia! That was only last year. An old fashioned ironmongers should be able to help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mowerman Posted March 10, 2011 Share Posted March 10, 2011 Bought mine from hardware store. Diluted as package instructions for window cleaning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erfolg Posted March 10, 2011 Share Posted March 10, 2011 I have found that the old fashioned leaving the sheet in hot water, is enough to allow balsa to be bent. I just hold in place till dry, then trim and glue. May not be as effective as Ammonia, but less hassle, will not raise the eyebrows of your loved ones, nor stain anything but does the job. I have made a steam chamber in the past, but water is better I feel, just slower. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy watson Posted March 10, 2011 Author Share Posted March 10, 2011 That's perfect- thankyou everyone. Erflog, you are right in using hot water, but as I work in a workshop seperate from the house there is no ready water supply. The smell is not an issue, but me stealing the kettle would be! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biggles' Elder Brother - Moderator Posted March 10, 2011 Share Posted March 10, 2011 Ah, the advantages of having your workshop next to the bathroom.... Mind you Mrs BEB isn't too happy when I do this... BEB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly P Posted March 13, 2011 Share Posted March 13, 2011 Does anyone know if this works on ply? I have somme fuselage sides to bend and they are lite ply. Thanks, olly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lazygit Posted March 13, 2011 Share Posted March 13, 2011 Ply will probably de-laminate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Williams Posted March 13, 2011 Share Posted March 13, 2011 B&Q glass cleaner is what I used fella worked great you can nearly bend 3/32 sheet double. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erfolg Posted March 13, 2011 Share Posted March 13, 2011 I have bent motor tubes from 1/32 ply, using hot water soaking. It beds well. However the stuff I use for firewalls etc, is not water resistant, You would need better quality ply or perhaps it is better to say water resistant, as the cheaper stuff is fine for formers etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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