Andy J Posted February 25, 2020 Share Posted February 25, 2020 Being doing some balsa bashing to knock up a Bird of Time. Having completed a modified centre wing section to allow each wing to plug directly into the fuselage I am left with the 1/16" wing sheeting peppered with pin holes. In the old days I would make up a paste of balsa sandings mixed with balsa glue to fill these. So what is the modern replacement to this approach as the last filler I purchased from my local model shop was rubbish? Have tried Wilco's light weight filler on Depron but its a bit of a mess on balsa. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Harris - Moderator Posted February 25, 2020 Share Posted February 25, 2020 Unless you use 6" nails, pin holes seem to disappear when you give the surface a light sanding... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Engine Doctor Posted February 25, 2020 Share Posted February 25, 2020 Try some water based filler like polyfiller or polyfiller light . Sands really easy once dried and adheres well There are also many lightweight fillers on sale at Diy stores . If area is prone to twisting try some Ronseal Woodfill. Its a two part filler that sets in about 10 minutes a little heavier than the light stuff but wont shrink or fall out , its easy to sand and comes in white or beige . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy J Posted February 25, 2020 Author Share Posted February 25, 2020 Posted by Martin Harris on 25/02/2020 17:37:01: Unless you use 6" nails, pin holes seem to disappear when you give the surface a light sanding... Martin don't think these will go away with sanding. Pin shown is 30mm long. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Harris - Moderator Posted February 25, 2020 Share Posted February 25, 2020 In which case, any of the lightweight fillers should do the job. If there's no model shop handy, try Screwfix. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy J Posted February 25, 2020 Author Share Posted February 25, 2020 As stated I find the white light weight fillers don't really work as they done seem to adhere well to wood or balsa. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted February 25, 2020 Share Posted February 25, 2020 Posted by Andy Joyce on 25/02/2020 18:12:28: As stated I find the white light weight fillers don't really work as they done seem to adhere well to wood or balsa. I doubt if that is a problem.He doesn't want a coating on the outside. and the filler is going to be IN the holes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McG 6969 Posted February 25, 2020 Share Posted February 25, 2020 Hi Andy, ... just mix your lightweight filler with a few drops of diluted PVA (20-25 %)... ... perfect adhesion to whatever wood you're using and really easy to sand when dry... ... if your model is to be covered with 'translucent' material, just add half a drop of artist acrylic 'Burnt Umber' to get the shade of balsa... Hope this helps Cheers Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrman Posted February 25, 2020 Share Posted February 25, 2020 As the holes have been made by pins no wood has been removed, just compressed. Try a drop of saliva over each hole to expand the balsa. I know it sounds strange but it works. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martian Posted February 25, 2020 Share Posted February 25, 2020 +1 for Chris,s suggestion it,s what I do and it,s very effective and sands well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim A Posted February 25, 2020 Share Posted February 25, 2020 I have tried lots of fillers until I used this https://www.reddevil.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=913 which I had on the shelf for home repairs. Wouldn't use anything else now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Fry Posted February 25, 2020 Share Posted February 25, 2020 You built it. It's entitled to holes. You might notice . No one else will. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Fairweather 1 Posted February 25, 2020 Share Posted February 25, 2020 A +1 for the saliva/spit solution , been using that method since 1966. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Engine Doctor Posted February 26, 2020 Share Posted February 26, 2020 Posted by Rob Fairweather 1 on 25/02/2020 21:18:07: A +1 for the saliva/spit solution , been using that method since 1966. Very interesting . have used it on dents in balsa but never tried it on pinholes . Will try that on next build . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Murphy 1 Posted February 26, 2020 Share Posted February 26, 2020 I get a very small fine detail paintbrush and put a drop of water on each hole. the wood sweels around the hole and closes. if what I read about wood is correct the fibres then mesh again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy J Posted February 26, 2020 Author Share Posted February 26, 2020 Well just tried the spit and rub and it does seem to work! Will now let it dry and give it a light sand again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Norris 1 Posted March 30, 2020 Share Posted March 30, 2020 Try a dab of water! Swells the wood, let it dry and then sand it. I could be wrong, pushing a pin through balsa compresses the fibres around the pin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Welford Posted March 31, 2020 Share Posted March 31, 2020 Yes the water trick works for removing dents as well. I've done this for as long as I can remember.I use a wet paper towel and squeeze water into the specific area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Robson Posted March 31, 2020 Share Posted March 31, 2020 I always pull out the pins with a pair of pliers, twisting the pins to release the glue then a straight pull out generally only leaves a small pin hole. Not sure of the spit method these days, could be a lot of covid 19 carrying planes flying about, sorry by the time we get to fly again it should have worn off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Flyer Posted March 31, 2020 Share Posted March 31, 2020 If you are covering with heat shrink film I doubt the pin holes will even show. Before covering I sand and and paint with thinned pva/balsa sealer then sand again before covering. I don’t think I have ever needed to fill individual pin holes. Edited By Tim Flyer on 31/03/2020 14:39:51 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy J Posted March 31, 2020 Author Share Posted March 31, 2020 Thanks all currently using the saliva method for all pin holes and dents. Also made my own filler by using Wilco's lightweight filler mixed with water and PVA, Seems to adhere very well to balsa along with my fingers.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Norris 1 Posted March 31, 2020 Share Posted March 31, 2020 You can also use heat(covering iron) on the water to "steam" the hole or dent out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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