Mailing List lml@lancaironline.net Message #12661
From: Marvin Kaye <marvkaye@olsusa.com>
Subject: Re: Acetone et al--For Newbies Only
Date: Wed, 20 Mar 2002 14:49:10 -0500
To: <lancair.list@olsusa.com>
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Posted for N295VV@aol.com:

I am 62 years old.

After many years of giving people advice, both solicited and unsolicited,  I conclude that I am pissing into a stiff  headwind  whenever I open my mouth to give advice.

Of the more memorable, "Don't marry her, she's a dingbat, her mother is a dingbat, and the whole family are dingbats".  He did, she was, and they were.  Now, after the divorce, the sagacity of my advice rings true.  Cost him $100 K or more, plus 5 years of hell.

Now, at age 62, I am a little more inclined to keep my mouth shut.  Not always, but a little more inclined.  Since advice is free, people tend to treat it as a non-valued commodity.

And when the subject turns to my own area of expertise, chemistry, the memories of being rebuffed by people disregarding my sage advice dim like a light bulb being turned off in the night.

So, I offer my advice regarding Acetone, not to those who already have their minds made up, but to the Newbies on the site who are interested in not making mistakes and learning from those who have spent lots of time and money polishing their skills and learning their trade--which, in my case, is chemistry.

Do not use acetone to prepare your bond sites.

Use Methylene Chloride.  If you can't use MeCl2, at least use MEK, Methyl Ethyl Ketone, but test it first on a glass sheet to make sure it is not contaminated or not a recovered grade.

Do not trust suppliers when they say they do not use mould release.  Many of the parts we receive are made in third world countries. Always prepare your bond areas with solvent to be safe.

There are many sources of oils in your own shop area that contaminate the surface of your work area.  Do you have an air compressor in your shop?  Where do you think the oil has disappeared to when you find the compressor crankcase oil level down?  It has dissipated into a fine mist and coated everything in the shop, including your bond areas.

Have you leaned against the assembly with your forearms when you work?   You have laid down a micro layer of fine skin oil on the surface you just touched.

Did your neighbor in the next T Hangar run his engine or his car engine?  There are many sources of oils that become airborn.  Use solvent to prep your bond areas-always.  And, don't use Acetone.

Well, I have proved that I don't get any smarter with age.  I have gone ahead and done it.  I have given advice again.
Casting pearls again.  Remember that drawing of Damacles carrying the lantern?  He wasn't looking for an honest man--he was looking for someone who would follow his advice!

David Jones


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