Fin Box Balsa Install, Any Tricks?

General Discussion
1

Any special things I should know about installing fin boxes in a balsa. I’m going with Proboxes.

2

LeeV,

Tape off the area that the templates will be sitting on with 2" masking tape. Protect the balsa around the area from overspray with painter’s masking paper before you spray down the 77 adhesive. Spray onto the tape and stick the templates to the tape. When done, you just pull up the tape with the glue on it. Go slow with the router and be sure the cutter is sharp. You probably know by now that Balsa is pulpy, and will tear and fuzz-up with dull tools.

Doug

3

Thanks Doug. The bottom has been laminated and the standard install is after hotcoating so the adhesive won’t be on the wood. Your right about the tooling though.

4

Lee,

Right you are. I was driving along in my truck when I realized I had assumed you were installing on the wood. My brain was thinking about my current installation, and I goofed.

I am installing my boxes after the lam on an epoxy board in order to lap over the box later with a patch. I am doing it the way I described so as not to get glue on the lam.

Hopefully you will post some pictures of your new board. Balsa is always a treat.

Doug