Newbie question. What glue should I use to Install magnets in a plywood Hatch Cover?

I have used epoxy with good results,
Earl

For this, would go for 15 minute epoxy, to give a little time for diddling around.

The real clever part is to use a minimum of epoxy to minimise the chances of gluing the hatch to the model... This suggests 'tacking' the magnets with a little epoxy around the back of the magnets and well away from any hatch/model interface areas to hold them, then applying a little more epoxy around them to make sure they are really secure.

I do this as soon as possible when building the hatch, so I can get at the magnets from both sides relatively easily. Not so easy if your model is pretty much built and covered.

Hope that helps

D

Originally Posted by dawhale

Newbie question. What glue should I use to Install magnets in a plywood Hatch Cover?

Epoxy, definitely. I use 6 minute and have enough time to work with it. Use emery cloth to roughen the sides of your magnets. And wax paper to separate the hatch from the body if you do it all at once.

Epoxy -

My tip
Take a drill bit about 1/2 the diameter of the magnet. (One with a flat rear end if you have it)
Heat the flat rear end with a propane torch for a couple of seconds and melt a hole where you want the magnet to go. Makes a nice round hole with hardened sides to really hold the magnet in. Don't get it too hot or the hole will be too big. As always, a little practice makes for perfection.

Epoxy for sure. But in addtion sink the magnets down in a hollow pocket hole so you are using the sides of the magnet for the bond as well as the face.

Epoxy did the job. Now if I can just find the second magnet. Should have stuck it to my tool chest.

Thank you

Radio Shack sells rare earth magnets.
I use a sharpened brass tube to make the magnet 'pockets'.
+1 for epoxy...rough up the magnet ( post #4 ) then clean it with rubbing alcohol prior to installation.
There are times when a strip of tin can stock will work with each magnet.

thick CA or epoxy. i like epoxy

the best part about epoxy is that you can slather it on top of the magnets which really helps. simple truth is that the small rare earth magnets we use now for hatches are waaaaay too strong. eventually they'll rip off especially foam.


a thin layer of epoxy on top of the magnets keep them separated so they dont latch as hard

I buff the sides of the magnets, to make fine grooves that'll help the glue hold better. Just don't get the magnets hot whilst doing it.

I also prefer to sink the magnets into bass or ply, with the hole cut just large enough so that I need a "C" clamp as a press to put them into place. After that, I soak them with CA.

I don't use two magnets; rather, I use a magnet on one side and a flat-head screw on the other. So far, I've yet to lose a hatch.

CD

I just did this last night in foam with neodymium magnets. I used 5 minute epoxy.

I use a flat head screw as well. I insert the screw with CA and when set I attach the magnet. Mark the magnet with a texture and position hatch with light pressure leaving the texture print on the balsa/ply. Drill the hole, apply epoxy and refit hatch securing with rubber bands. Leave overnight and you will have a perfectly aligned hatch/cockpit....

Another way to do it:

After mounting the magnet into place, put a dot of tape, sticky-side up, over the center of the magnet. Put the hatch in place and press down; the tape will stick to the hatch and mark where to put the screw.

Another point: when setting up the hatch, whatever glue you use, put a layer of sandwich wrap ("Saran Wrap") between the hatch and the rest of the model. Glue won't stick to it, it's very flexible, and it doesn't leave any residue (unlike waxed paper). You can even sand away with it in place.

BTW, I have my own roll of sandwich wrap in my workshop drawer, so I don't need to swipe it from the Mrs.

CD