Caveman Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 Just to add my opinion (I am by no means a past-master at this covering business, but have produced fairly reasonable results!!) As the surfaces you are covering are solid, not open surfaces like a built-up wing, I would start from the centre and work outwards. (I have the Solar film tutorial CD which shows how its done). The key is to have the iron at the right temperature to cause adhesion but without causing the film to shrink. If the iron is too hot nd the film shrinks then the further away from the centre the more dificult it becomes to avoid wrinkles. When the whole area is covered I then add the cloth sock to the iron and turn up the heat to ensure really good adhesion and to shrink the film to a really smooth tight finish. I have the Prolux digital iron courtesy of RCM&E when I first subscribed. I use film from Giant Shark. For inital tacking I set the temperature to 100 deg.C and for final sealing I use a maximum of 140 deg.C - I have never used a higher temperature. GDB PS I've sent you a PM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biggles' Elder Brother - Moderator Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 I would agree with Martin's method on an open structure - like a built up wing. Tack the centre of one short side, then with gentle pressure tack the centre of the opposite side. Then tack the centres of the two long sides. Then work around ot edge all the edges fixed down. You do this with the iron at a lower temp - I don't know the temperature unfortunately - I just know when it "feels" right! Once you have all the edges firmly glued down, up th eiron temperature a tad (yes I know that is very vague!) and shrink the film. To find the right shrinking temp just try it up a little - if it doesn't shrink, up a little bit more. remember to give the iron plenty of time to come to the new heat each time. But for a solid surface I would do it slightly differently - more like Caveman suggests. Start now in the centre and tack that. Then work out in all directions from the centre - avoid creases but don't worry about getting it tight - just let it lay on the surface smoothly. Again this done with a slightly cooler iron. Don't make it shrink as you fit it - that's a sure way to create a crease. Once it is all stuck down, turn the iron up a little again and shrink it. Et viola! Nice smooth well stuck down film and no creases! That my method anyway. BEB PS Don't get the film too hot when shrinking it - it needs to be just hot enough to shrink - no more. If you get it too hot this seems to create problems later with the film going "saggy" or "wrinkly" in bright sunlight. Edited By Biggles' Elder Brother - Moderator on 21/10/2013 11:50:59 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WolstonFlyer Posted October 21, 2013 Author Share Posted October 21, 2013 Hi Martin, Tim, Caveman and BEB Thanks for the advice, it really is appreciated! I just checked my email and found lots of replies to my build thread I think I am trying to do too many things at once and have the iron a bit too hot. I think the Giantshark / Hobbyking covering is shrinking as I try to stick it down and that is why I ended up in a real wrinkled mess when I tried to do the big wing section last night. I must have just got away with it on the smaller surfaces. The covering was also going transparent in spots (like little bubbles) so I am probably over heating it. I will pull off that bit and try cooling the iron from 120 degrees to 100 and try again. I am out at a club meeting tonight so will give it a go when I get back later Cheers PS. Thanks for the PM Caveman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Winks Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 It does look like you were overheating the film there James this, I'm afraid, can be a slow process, and patients is required by the bucket full. When I set my iron temp I started at a temp below the point where it adhere's and stepped it up one click at a time till I found the lowest point at which it would stick sufficiently to get it in place. this ensures you've got maximum shrinkage available when you come to the second stage. phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WolstonFlyer Posted October 21, 2013 Author Share Posted October 21, 2013 I think you are right Phil. I just had a chat with the guys at the club meeting tonight and they all said "you are getting it too hot". So I will try a different approach, try some lower temperatures and see how it goes.Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biggles' Elder Brother - Moderator Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 Stay cool WF! BEB PS Well at least your iron! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Flynn 1 Posted February 24, 2017 Share Posted February 24, 2017 Hi wolstonFlyer I'm a bit late on this one, as I'm just about to start the 2013 mass build as I was not too keen on this years choice. So I've read lots of the threads on this one. So I've just received the wood pack and looking at my electric motors etc. My question to you is this, on one thread you mentioned using 2 X 2200 3 S lipo,s to drive it. Like you I have more of these lipo,s than I should admit to, but how did this work? Or did you revert to 1 larger size. Reads lots on this link but couldn't find an answer. Thank Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caveman Posted February 24, 2017 Share Posted February 24, 2017 Hi Tom, as you haven't had a reply yet, I thought I'd jump in an offer my observations. I use a single 2200mAh battery 25C, Tower Pro MG90S servos, Emax GT2815/07 motor with APC 11x5.5E prop and, 40A ESC. The motor provides about 350 Watts and provides quite a llvely performance. I did try running 2x2200 batteries in parallel, mainly to increase the weight of the plane for better capability in windy weather. However, the extra weight did reduce the agility of the plane more than I liked, although the endurance increased significantly, so I went back to only one battery. I have since experimented with an Orange stabiliser/gyro, which does help in gusty weather, but isn't really necessary. I've a build log of my efforts here **LINK** Hope that helps. GDB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Flynn 1 Posted February 24, 2017 Share Posted February 24, 2017 Thank you for that Caveman. I've now read your log, and it looks a very attractive build. Do you fancy building another. I had a DB Jodel, which I bought from eBay, which the guy told me it flew on 2 2200 lipo,s. Having put the set up he advised in the plane, I had the same problem, it was too heavy. So I finished up reverting to IC on that one. This model looks the business so I'm hoping my 2200 3s do the job. The time it takes me to build, it's going to be well into summer before it flys. So thank for your help.i may be back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Winks Posted February 24, 2017 Share Posted February 24, 2017 Hi Tom since building mine, which originally flew on a 3300 3s I've converted to a 2650 4s and a smaller prop now pulling 600w and the flight envelope is much improved Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iain Marshall Posted February 25, 2018 Share Posted February 25, 2018 Any more progress on this build? I'm dying to see it finished, might build one too! Iain Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Flynn 1 Posted February 25, 2018 Share Posted February 25, 2018 I meant to add, I've built both sizes over the winter, just need the weather to turn so I can fly them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WolstonFlyer Posted February 25, 2018 Author Share Posted February 25, 2018 Sorry Tom and eveybody else, the model never got finished, it is in storage. I have since moved house and not even flown anything for over 12 months. I might come back to the hobby when I get chance between a hectic job, 3 kids and renovating the house. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denis Watkins Posted February 25, 2018 Share Posted February 25, 2018 Posted by WolstonFlyer on 25/02/2018 13:59:43: Sorry Tom and eveybody else, the model never got finished, it is in storage. I have since moved house and not even flown anything for over 12 months. I might come back to the hobby when I get chance between a hectic job, 3 kids and renovating the house. Exactly what I did, the house is finished now, complete, and the kids left home, Now I think, "why did I stop flying?" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biggles' Elder Brother - Moderator Posted February 25, 2018 Share Posted February 25, 2018 Iain, if you still want to look at some build threads that are finished, and flown, models take a look here. That houses all the build blogs for the Tucano. All are good but the two most detailed are probably mine and Phil Winks versions. Hope that is useful BEB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Winks Posted February 25, 2018 Share Posted February 25, 2018 Hi Beb hows things? all well I trust, just to add my tucano is still flying though its now 4s powered and a much more scale jet trainer like flight envelope, lord knows how its survived my landings but it has in fact the only damage its suffered so far was a broken elevator joiner while negotiating my narrow shed door Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biggles' Elder Brother - Moderator Posted February 25, 2018 Share Posted February 25, 2018 Hi Phil, haven't heard much from you lately - you're busy I guess. Anyway good to get in touch. I'm well. Retired recently which while it is producing a bit more flying time isn't really producing the extra building time - yet! BEB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iain Marshall Posted February 25, 2018 Share Posted February 25, 2018 Thanks for that BeB. Really like to build one of these. Just getting back into building after a load of foamies. Going to do a Swallow for some practice, then a Middle or Phase 6, then hopefully Tucano or a Mossie or a....... Iain Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Flynn 1 Posted February 26, 2018 Share Posted February 26, 2018 Built these 2 over the winter. Both sizes of the Tucano. Edited By Tom Flynn 1 on 26/02/2018 13:57:12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Winks Posted February 26, 2018 Share Posted February 26, 2018 Nice work Tom, have you put a contrast colour on the underside, I only ask as I find it relatively easy to loose orientation without, mine is the 48" version and pretty quick on a 4s setup Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Flynn 1 Posted February 26, 2018 Share Posted February 26, 2018 Hi Phil, no not yet, but I know I need to do it as the my last flying trip finished up with my Pussy Cat going in at a rate as I could not make out what way up it was. Neither of them has flown, so it should be an interesting morning when I eventually manage to make the field. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Winks Posted February 26, 2018 Share Posted February 26, 2018 My suggestion would be 1" invasion stripes under one wing surprised me how they stand out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biggles' Elder Brother - Moderator Posted February 26, 2018 Share Posted February 26, 2018 Yeah - the Tuc is a nippy beast on a decent battery! Not hard to fly, in fact flys very nicely, but definitley on the fast side! BEB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Flynn 1 Posted February 26, 2018 Share Posted February 26, 2018 Pushy Cat flies the same. Not hard to fly, as the saying goes, flys like its on rails, but push the revs up and you have a rocket on your hands. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Flynn 1 Posted June 21, 2018 Share Posted June 21, 2018 Well I have now flown both models. The little one was doing ok but just fell out of the sky. No idea why but it was a complete mess when I retrieved it, but no canopy. It sat on the garage floor for awhile as I didn’t know what to do with it, although jumping on it came to mind. In the end I cut the tail off and rebuilt the front end of the fuselage. The wings were good so rebuilt and flying ok. The larger model just left the ground and flew away quite happily, but I have got confused with which way up they both are so some covering needed on the underside of both planes. Great planes both of them, playing with making another of the larger ones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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