hot melt glue

[todddlur]

is that the stuff you use a glue gun for in crafts. you just put the stick in and it melts in the gun? or it it a stronger version of it? won't the PL premiun hold the reflectors in? if not why? i know i'm asking a lot of quesrions but this is the onlt thing i'm not sure of. Thanks, Todd

[Harley]

is that the stuff you use a glue gun for in crafts. you just put the stick in and it melts in the gun?

It is indeed

or it it a stronger version of it?

There is but you don't need it for that job. Trust me, you've never had to pull out a stuffed up reflector job yet - hopefully you won't have to, but if you had have, you would realise just how well that hot melt actually works.

won't the PL premiun hold the reflectors in? if not why?

It will but it won't do near as good of a job and won't seal the PVC against the wood anywhere as well as the hot melt. With the hot melt, once it is set, you can clearly see any holes/leaks. You must inspect this thoroughly. The rake of the top/bottom piece will prevent the reflector being forced backwards as you will learn when fitting it.

PL works best between joints that are under compression. The reflectors just sit there so you use the hot melt as a filler/sealer much like you would if you were sealing a piece of guttering, or if you have ever welded, like a fillet weld. That's why you must have a 1/8" gap betwen the edge of the PVC and the outer edge of the horn sheath that fits onto the throat horn supports



Illustrative only - Not to scale

i know i'm asking a lot of questions

Better to ask now than after you make a GCU

WARNING: Hot Melt is exactly what it says - HOT. Get it on your fingers or skin and you will have a severe burn

Harley

Edit - typo fix and hot melt warning added

[AntonZ]

Thanks for this post and the sketch Harley, I never quite understood why and how with hot melt on this stage of DR construction. I understand now. I suggest this explanation and sketch be stickyfied (moderators please use your choice of either PL or hot melt) for future reference.

[vexorgtr]

There's different grades of hot glue........ if you have a extra high temp glue gun and the industrial grade Hot glue, it works like a champ. The hobby shop glue doesn't always stick that well.... As long as it's glued tight, we're good to go.

[Bill Fitzmaurice]

I suggest this explanation and sketch be stickyfied (moderators please use your choice of either PL or hot melt) for future reference.

All worthwhile tips like this one are left in place permanently.

[Lawrence Langford]

I personally make the reflectors a tight fit, so the wood is what is really holding it in place. And basically the hot glue is just to keep everthing airtight. Just my .02 cents

[Harley]

I personally make the reflectors a tight fit, so the wood is what is really holding it in place. And basically the hot glue is just to keep everthing airtight. Just my .02 cents

You and I are both on the same wavelength - that's what I meant by The rake of the top/bottom piece will prevent the reflector being forced backwards as you will learn when fitting it.

Harley