Pasting patterns onto wood.

[wonwinglo]

Pasting patterns onto balsa has a few advantages,notably all of the time consuming tracing or pin-pricking,by using the dime stores glue tubes yo can get excellent results,this is how-

One of the biggest problems with thin sheet balsa is that it can warp and curl when wetted,this is how I get around this problem,first of all get a photo-copy of the plans formers etc,stick these patterns onto the wood sheet noting the correct grain direction,use a printers roller obtainable from art suppliers to smooth down the pattern,now dampen the back of the balsa with a piece of sponge,then wrap the piece of wood with a piece of polythene sheet (Saren wrap to most of you guys the other end !) next place the whole lot underneath a piece of plate glass,leave overnight and next morning you will have a perfectly flat sheet from which to cut out your valuable parts.

Ilike this idea because the paper holds the balsa together making it easy to cut,if you dont want the tiny bit of extra weight just peel off the paper pattern,but it adds a lot of extra strength.

You can use 3M Scoth re-positionable spray adhesive to stick down your patterns as well if you wish.