Using Epoxy Glue to better connect fake gun ports

[Captain Amateur]

Hi.

 

I'm building the HMS Bellona by Corel. Below the deck it has over 20 fake gun ports that are glued to the hull plank from the inside. They bond doesn't feel very strong and I can foresee them falling apart later when I actually drill holes in them and insert the guns.

What's the view about applying epoxy glue on their connections with the planks?

 

Thanks all.

[Nirvana]

I would use epoxy, but do your research as there are many types of epoxies. Good luck.

[Dr PR]

What are the fake gun ports made of?

 

Epoxy is probably the all around best general purpose glue. It will glue just about anything to anything. I have used everything from very thin epoxy paint that soaks into wood grain to epoxy putty that is very good for molding parts, and it can be machined. The catch is the cure time. After mixing the two parts (be CERTAIN to follow the instructions) you have a limited time before the glue hardens. On the one hand some mixes set up in just 5 minutes, and some types take up to an hour to harden. So pick a type that gives you enough time to work with it to get things aligned, or to work with multiple assemblies, but not longer that you need. Once cured it is extremely difficult to remove. Rubbing alcohol will clean up excess before it cures.

 

Super glues (CA or cyanoacrylate) are good for bonding metal to metal, and are commonly used for wood. Oddly enough, a web page describing many types of cyanoacrylate glues says it really isn't very good for wood! I have used it to glue metal to wood. The less you use the faster it cures. There are accelerators to speed up curing (although it is almost instant curing on metals and skin) and you can loosen it with acetone. CA gels are slower curing and give you a few seconds to position parts. But cyanoacrylates will fog most clear plastics and they leave a film on wood surfaces that interferes with staining. Use acetone to clean up residue.

[Captain Amateur]

Thanks so much Dr.!