by soslipstream » Sat Sep 17, 2011 12:23 am
Another nice model succumbs to seller stupidty. I would jump both on Ebay seller and the postal source for refunds...
That said, These breaks are tough to fix and if they are "fixed" never move that ball again, too much torsion.
Ok here we go...
First try to get the two parts together and carefully mark with a fine SHARPIE marker east, west, north and south on both sides of the break. This is to facilitate the location later on in the process....
The Dremel IS the tool of choice. A set of miniature drill bits is next. You will use not only one but two pins of very small music wire and these two will be fitted to the the airplane side of the break. The wire size can be as small as .015" (Ace Hardware has all of this so far). Equal distance from the center of the break to the outside of the break in two opposite locations is where the two holes will be drilled. It is preferred that these two holes be the same diameter as the wire. Music wire is very tough wire. It is not easy to cut and the wire needs to have the burrs ground off as well. The Dremel and a cutting wheel is an absolute here. The wire needs to have an affixative (glue). The best choice is a slow curing epoxy. After at least 24 hours, you are ready for the next critical step, locating a drilling holes into the base side of the stand/arm. Do your best to allign those SHARPIE marks and mark the site ends for the music wire. Once you believe you have made the marks in the right place, drill the two holes but with a slightly larger diameter drill bit. Set the airplane into place and see how well the marks line up. If they are slightly off, try to determine which pin is off and again drill out the hole with the next size bit. Do this until the ball sits approximately in place.
If you feel confident that you have a nice fit then you can prepare for the last step, re-attachment. There is a need to support the heavy model as the epoxy cures. Build up, with books and wood, two or three (if tail heavy) support columns to steady the model during the cure. Now go for it. Clean both sides of the break with rubbing alcohol and let dry. Then, mix the epoxy and be careful to get the 50/50 mix dead-on. Apply some to the holes then a little to both faces and fit the airplane into place. Any excess can be wiped off lighter fluid. Now go take a trip someplace and do not touch this airplane for at least 3 days.
Oh yes, about those SHARPIE marks, a cotten swab and acetone if use quickly and sparingly will do the trick. Kryon makes a respectable match for the paint color... Bronze, I believe.
From here on the airplane will be ok for display but it will never fly again.
Regards,
Tom Sanders