dav84 Posted November 21, 2012 Share Posted November 21, 2012 When drilling holes into a rudder or tail plane is there anyway of working out how much you can safely remove without weakening the structure or is it a case of trial and error. Dav Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greybeard Posted November 22, 2012 Share Posted November 22, 2012 It starts off as trial and error and slowly changes to experience as mr. fokker found out with some of his creations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted November 22, 2012 Share Posted November 22, 2012 UNless the wood is extremely hard and heavy you will be amazed at how little you do save. If the wood is heavy enough to really make it worth while you would be better off making new parts from softer wood. If you must try it, most of the strength needed is alog the length s make sure leading and trailing edges are fairly wide. The "ribs" will be weak what ever you do because th grain is across the narrow wood. A built up tailplane would be stronger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ernie Posted November 22, 2012 Share Posted November 22, 2012 Hi Dav, I've long since come to the conclusion that lightening holes in balsa don't make that much difference. It's better to look at the heavier components, and try to save a few ounces there. If it's the rear end that you want to lighten, look at tail wheels. Use the lightest possible, and cut the metalwork to the absolute minimum. Look at elevator horns and push rods. Maybe use a closed loop system, with adjustment at the servo end only. What about hinges and covering material? Holes in balsa, never seem to make that much difference ernie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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