planecrazee Posted January 9, 2017 Share Posted January 9, 2017 Hi folks, I wondered if anyone could share their experience of making sure that an aircraft does not become a tail sitter. What does everyone use as nose weight - especially when space is a premium. Any advice/tips would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks Kris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daneel Posted January 10, 2017 Share Posted January 10, 2017 well, I use fishing weights. They come in different shapes and sizes, so it's easy to make them fit. Sometimes I use a table vice to shape the lead in a suitable form. For example, if I need to weight down a front end of a 1/72 Huey, I press the lead in a thin strip to place beneath the floor, and it fits nicely. To fix it in place, I use Bison 2k epoxy glue, or sometimes PVA wood glue. Also, if I need the lead to stay in place while the glue sets, I use just a really tiny dab of CA glue before applying the epoxy. Never put more CA, because in contact with lead it develops a chemical reaction which can destroy the model. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dreadeddrew Posted January 10, 2017 Share Posted January 10, 2017 Hi Kris I've bought lead shot for diving bags,you can buy in bulk so it'll last for ages + it's small,so it'll fit in confined spaces.Haven't used it yet,but I imagine the downside is making sure you secure all of it,otherwise it'll come loose & rattle around inside the model. Maybe cover in white glue & block in with blue/white-tack?.......that's what I was planning anyway. As I said,I haven't tried it yet,so it might be useless,hopefully someone will come up with a tried & tested method. Cheers Andrew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
planecrazee Posted January 10, 2017 Author Share Posted January 10, 2017 Thanks for you swift replies guys - much appreciated. I'll have to source some lead shot as I think that'll be the best solution. Cheers Kris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickR Posted January 19, 2017 Share Posted January 19, 2017 Just had a though reading this. Could you mix sand with PVA? Pop it in when still semisolid and it could be manipulated into fully filling a nose and other forward cavities?? Anyone tried that or can see that it wouldn't work?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
treker_ed Posted January 19, 2017 Share Posted January 19, 2017 (edited) I bought a strip of lead flashing from the local builders merchants about 5 years ago. I just cut a strip off when I need it. It's still going strong and will probably last for several years yet. Just use CA to stick it in where I can, as far forward as possible. Edited January 19, 2017 by treker_ed 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Knight Posted January 20, 2017 Share Posted January 20, 2017 1 hour ago, NickR said: Just had a though reading this. Could you mix sand with PVA? Pop it in when still semisolid and it could be manipulated into fully filling a nose and other forward cavities?? Anyone tried that or can see that it wouldn't work?? Can't see why that wouldn't work. It just might be not heavy enough for its volume I, too, have a bit of a roll of roofing lead which I've been using bits of for years. Also, a friend passed me several Kgs of old lead car wheel weights. Available out there is stuff called Liquid Gravity. Its very, very small balls of maybe zinc - it says its not lead. Being very small it can be poured into the smallest of places and set with your favourite liquid glue. Don't forget good ole Blutac can be used too, its quite heavy for its volume. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve McArthur Posted January 20, 2017 Share Posted January 20, 2017 At work we had several bags 25 lb bags of #8 lead shot. One of them ripped and they were going to throw it out, so I grabbed it. The shot is small enough that it can fit just about anywhere and I've go more than enough to last a lifetime of modelling. Either CA or PVA will hold it in place Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
little-cars Posted January 20, 2017 Share Posted January 20, 2017 We sell bottles of nose weights., known as liquid steel. http://www.modellingtools.co.uk/liquid-steel-200g-12735-p.asp £3 for a 200g bottle, Thinned down PVA is the normal method for fixing it, but ca can be used yo set them quickly. We used to use lead shot, but the dust that this gives off is not healthy, so moved to a safer steel product. Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mick4350 Posted January 21, 2017 Share Posted January 21, 2017 (edited) Bought a 300mm x 300mm lead sheet from my local hardware store a few years ago and cut into smaller pieces that can be epoxied into the frontal area's of kits. Also bought a container of number 9 birdshot that is roughly one litre in volume that has 10kg of lead shot that's perfect for gluing into tight area's on a model. A 45ml bottle ( 3 tablespoons ) holds about 320 grams ( 11.3 oz. ) of the 2mm diameter lead shot. Edited January 21, 2017 by Mick4350 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Coombs Posted February 23, 2018 Share Posted February 23, 2018 I've been experimenting of late with tungsten putty. Think of it as really dense Blu-Tack, very good for squeezing into assorted nooks, crannies, and small spaces without needing to add glue. The stuff is supposedly for weighting fishing lines - carp fishing being an example use - but of course can be used for other purposes. I will have to keep an eye open as time passes to see if there are any adverse reactions (like the lead/superglue horrors you read of in these forums on occasion), but so far, so good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scimitar F1 Posted February 23, 2018 Share Posted February 23, 2018 Whatever you do avoid using PVA and lead. I used it in an F-84 and after a while it expanded and caused the fuselage to deform. I understand this may also happen with cyanoacrylate. I suggest lead or steel and epoxy. Will 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhoenixII Posted February 24, 2018 Share Posted February 24, 2018 Hi all, if your a driver, youll need to change tyres on occasion. Have a word with the fitter, as all (?) companies use self adhesive weights to balance alloy wheels, the individual weights are 2 -3mm thick, I found they work, give 'em a go. Paul 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bentwaters81tfw Posted February 24, 2018 Share Posted February 24, 2018 Got some Silicone sealant on advice from Georgio. Not used it yet for weight fixing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spaddad Posted February 24, 2018 Share Posted February 24, 2018 I use any metal bits that come my way & use plasticene to hold it in position. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsairfoxfouruncle Posted February 24, 2018 Share Posted February 24, 2018 Ive been using lead weights and C/A since the early 90’s. None of my builds has ever split or deformed from the combo ? I still have a few of those early builds. I see them quite regularly when looking at my stored builds to choose what i will display in my office. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rayprit Posted February 24, 2018 Share Posted February 24, 2018 Plenty of lead weights at your old replacement tyre bays.. They tend to rebalance wheels so take off and throw away lead weights..........see if they have any to give away next time your in there.................cut them down with pliers, hack saws or what-ever..........imbed them in silcon...........stay away from Blu-tack or plasticine as these are oil based and tends to leech over time 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhoenixII Posted February 24, 2018 Share Posted February 24, 2018 What Ray says. Recommend new, unused weights, if the answers 'no', ask for some old ones, but wash 'em first, some brake pads still contain asbestos. Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scimitar F1 Posted February 24, 2018 Share Posted February 24, 2018 6 hours ago, Corsairfoxfouruncle said: Ive been using lead weights and C/A since the early 90’s. None of my builds has ever split or deformed from the combo ? I still have a few of those early builds. I see them quite regularly when looking at my stored builds to choose what i will display in my office. Very glad to hear that - I know that PVA is a problem Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chillidragon Posted February 25, 2018 Share Posted February 25, 2018 Poly Vinyl Acetate, yes. Railway modellers have suffered split locomotive smokeboxes as a result of the acetate reacting with the metallic lead, forming Lead Acetate (or Ethanoate, for any chemists waiting to pounce!) which takes up significantly more space. I have heard of modellers in Australia experiencing corroded rails where the PVA they used for fixing ballast to trackwork has liberated Acetic Acid fumes in the hot climate. I've always used sheet lead and Epoxy Resin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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