Working on the Midwest Dinghy and I posted a question in the wrong thread. I am reposting it here since it's the appropriate place.

I am at the point where I need to glue the first of the side pieces to the transom, frames, bottom, and stem. I can get the proper alignment by moving it, bending it, and holding it steady, but I am concerned that when I put the glue on, I won't have much time to work, and I'm going to end up gluing something in the wrong position.

I'm using CA glue as the instructions recommend. Hardware store stuff. This may be my problem?

I read a lot of threads here about glue before I started, and I didn't see CA getting recommended much, but the instructions call for it and encourage it, so that's what I'm doing.

Perhaps this isn't so much a glue question as a technique question, in which case I am interested to hear how others set up this kind of gluing situation, either technique for holding things in place, or what kind of glue I should be using.

Thanks.

donald, i am at the same point and i see what you mean about 4 sets of hands. what i did was i aligned the plank and then release the bow while holding the aft section and was able to get a clamp( clothespin) on the rear frame. i then recheck front alignment and clamped other two frames. it took a few tries but the three clamps id ok. i then did the other side. once both sides looked good i glued the bow section with the ca glue. when that held i glued the aft section. once that was holding i released the clamps and was ble to get glue along the bottom and sides and frames and side. i re-clamped and will let it set overnight before proceeding with next layer of plank.

Just out of curiosity, what kind (brand) of CA glue are you using? Mine is usually setting up in 10 seconds or less, and it seems awfully quick to me.

I have found 3 time variations on setting times for CA glues. They run from just a few seconds to about a minute. I am at work right now so I don't have the names in front of me, but you can find them pretty much anywhere (Michaels is probably a good place). I got mine online.

i use two types of ca, both loctite brand where there are gaps i use loctite superglue gel control, where there is a tight fit i used a brush on super glue that is thinner. the gel holds within 15-20 sec's and sets between 30-40 secs ( where taking apart will probably cause damage). the thin stuff holds around 7-10sec but is less forgiving if there is movement ( meaning if the pieces seperate during the 7-10 sec the glue will probably not hold).

on the second plank i super glued the bow and stern (with clamps on the three frames)and used wood glue where the planks meet and on the frames and clamp it.

Thanks - that helps a lot.