Clamping Balsa Strip

[michaelp]

Does anyone have a way of clamping balsa strips together when glueing? I was going to use those small 'modelling clamps' but found that the spring tension is way to strong which would damage the balsa wood, had thought of using clothes pegs but again the same problem.

 

Any ideas would be much appreciated

 

Thanks in advance

Michael

[Gilbert]

How about using some packing to spread the force - strip of cardboard maybe?

[kandc_au]

Put a piece of icypole stick either side on the outsides so that they won't get squashed.
 

Khris

[Gilbert]

Put a piece of icypole stick either side on the outsides so that they won't get squashed.

 

Khris

or the ubiquitous coffee stirrer?

Edited July 22, 2017 by Gilbert

[michaelp]

Thanks for the ideas guy's,  I need to build quite a few 'A' frame sections comprising of four pieces of balsa strip, I think placing wood/ cardboard in between the pegs and balsa might alter the alignment of the frames as  I try to clamp them up. If there is maybe a way to 'weaken' the spring tension somehow that might work out a bit easier.

 

Michael

[teaky]

Couple of thoughts off the top of my head.

 

Masking tape?  You can pull it as tight as you need but less than the point where it would dig in and mark the balsa.

 

Long thin pins like the ones used for sewing.  Push them in at different angles so that they work against each other to prevent the balsa pieces pulling apart.  If the pins are thin enough any holes will be filled by sanding and painting.

[Gilbert]

Make a small jig so each turns out the same and hold bits in alignment??

[Guy Rixon]

A clamp with a screw is more controllable than one with a spring. A bench vice might do the job well, if it has smooth jaws. Otherwise, a small tool-maker's clamp is very good. Even a large G-clamp could be pressed into service.

 

Parenthetically, I've never understood why people model in balsa. If weight is not an acute problem, why use such a fragile material? There are many, stronger woods that can be got easily enough. I favour thin plywood and the sticks from Magnums. Also, medical tongue depressors - basically large lolly-sticks - can be bought on-line at a tiny cost for a small batch of a hundred or so.