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"Advice for gluing magnets" Topic


14 Posts

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daveshoe05 Aug 2012 9:33 p.m. PST

I'm looking for some suggestions on the type of glue to use to glue magnets to my aircraft and to the associated stands. I'm using 1/300 scale planes and the acrylic flight stands from Litko.

Also, if you have any tips for mounting the planes/magnets, I'd be happy to listen.

Thanks

Kaoschallenged05 Aug 2012 9:44 p.m. PST

Here are a few threads on the same subject. Check them out. There are quite a bit of useful information and tips in them. Robert

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Personal logo Schulein Supporting Member of TMP05 Aug 2012 9:46 p.m. PST

I use super glue. The gel type. If the plane can handle it I make a small hole with a slow turning hand drill.
Before you start: take one flightstand, glue a magnet on it and put your other magnets on top.
When you need a magnet, color the top magnet with a pen, take it off and glue the colored side to the aircraft.If a friend also starts, make an identical magnet stand for him.
This insures compatibility between flightstands and aircraft.

Inari705 Aug 2012 10:30 p.m. PST

First you need a good magnetic stand system.

I use cylinder magnets on Litko flight stands or just about any stand. This method allows you to glue large magnets onto the bottom of your aircraft. The smaller your magnet the more likely for wobbling and spinning of the aircraft when you move it.

Cylinder Magnets
link

Disc magnets to top the cylinder magnets
link

Litko Flight stands
link

Then you need magnets for the bottom of your aircraft like the 1/8 x 1/16 disk magnets. I usually drill a shallow hole so the glue can stick to the sides of the magnet.
link

Here is a picture of my stands
link

You can see my old method of flight stands to the left, in the picture, and my new method (I stole from a member here on TMP) to the right. BTW the stand to the far right is a beautiful Forge World flying base.
link

McWong7305 Aug 2012 10:55 p.m. PST

Any CA glue in gel form is what you want. The gel makes it easier to put exactly the amount required on, which is why I've gone from Zap A Gap to any gel based CA glue.

Mako1105 Aug 2012 11:55 p.m. PST

Epoxy is best, for the strongest bond.

Personal logo Doms Decals Sponsoring Member of TMP06 Aug 2012 2:17 a.m. PST

Definitely agreed on epoxy – worth the extra faff.

AndrewGPaul06 Aug 2012 2:21 a.m. PST

Also, preumably epoxy won't fog up the clear flight stand.

Personal logo Virtualscratchbuilder Supporting Member of TMP Fezian06 Aug 2012 3:15 a.m. PST

Super glue, and I sand the glue side of the magnet to give the glue something to grip.

Texas Jack06 Aug 2012 3:26 a.m. PST

Itīs funny how everyone has their own methods, and I am sure they all work too!

For me the worst thing is trying to get such a small magnet into place. My fingers are none-too deft at handling the damn things, so what I do is put the magnet on a paint brush, on the metal collar very close to where it meets the wood. Then, using the paint brush, I put the magnet on the airplane where I have previously applied super glue gel, and slide it gently to the wood part of the brush, which releases the magnet and leaves it, in theory, squarely where I wish it to be.

elsyrsyn06 Aug 2012 4:36 a.m. PST

Definitely agreed on epoxy – worth the extra faff.

Me too.

Doug

MajorB06 Aug 2012 5:28 a.m. PST

UHU All Purpose Adhesive should work fine.

Terry L07 Aug 2012 10:35 a.m. PST

I only used one magnet on the stand. On the aircraft bottom I glued a small square of sheet metal. I then painted the sheet metal the same colour as the underside of the aircraft. This blends it in and doesn't ruin the look of the aircraft. The rare earth magnet easily sticks to the sheet metal piece. I used 5 minute epoxy to fasten everything together.

daveshoe07 Aug 2012 9:30 p.m. PST

Thanks for all the advice and comments.

I like those cylinder magnets. I think I might try those out.

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