Chris Barlow Posted January 31, 2016 Share Posted January 31, 2016 That's some machinery you've got there for a model plane John! Nice dimension saw and is that a Wadkin planer/thicknesser??? The square block is for a spindle molder, or could be from a for/six sided molder. Nasty things if not respected and had a reputation for taking fingers off whole in one go! BTW it also looks like you have the collets for a wobble saw weighing you sides down too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devcon1 Posted January 31, 2016 Author Share Posted January 31, 2016 Hi Chris. The weights were odds and sods accumulated over years from an old school workshop and were in a scrap box to be thrown out. I had no idea what the cylindrical wedges were but now I know. You know your machine stuff The planer is a classic 16" Sedgwick MB model. I've also got access to a nice Felder spindle moulder which I'll use to make the leading and trailing edge stock, overkill but fun Regards John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted January 31, 2016 Share Posted January 31, 2016 Posted by John Milne on 30/01/2016 23:49:08: Hi Chris. Possibly but I'm not sure what a square block cutter is, could it be a type of spindle moulder tool ? I'll definitely try the alternating 45 degree grain formers next time as it seems logical to me as it introduces the triangle aspect. I'd be curious to see what Peter's thoughts are on this. Hope you don't mind me dragging you into this Peter John Don't know about 45 degree grain. does not seem to solve anything. If I want to stiffen formers I just glue two strips of 1/8" X 3/8" across the back of the former. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted January 31, 2016 Share Posted January 31, 2016 Posted by John Milne on 30/01/2016 22:28:47: It's funny, every time I tried to decide which was the correct orientation for the former grain I could convince myself both ways were correct. So I've come to the conclusion that next time I'll cut with a 45 degree grain alternating left to right on successive corners, seems logical to me 😁 Fuz taking shape. I left off the fuselage doubler as I've no thin ply in stock so I'll go easy on the lomcevacs !!! John Probably with small electric power you will nlt need a doubler anyway,not even for a .10 engine although a balsa doubler would be good in the latter case. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devcon1 Posted January 31, 2016 Author Share Posted January 31, 2016 Thanks for that Peter. I suspect I'll have to embark on a destruction testing programme to validate the lack of a doubler and the grain orientation, so when I have a senior moment with the Ballerina I'll publish the results . John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted January 31, 2016 Share Posted January 31, 2016 If you look at the old pattern ships from the 50s they often used balsa doublers set at 45 degrees.. Of course in those days a big pattern ship (Astrohog, Citation,) was flown on a .45 cu in. engine which was not as powerful as the modern equivalent engine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devcon1 Posted January 31, 2016 Author Share Posted January 31, 2016 I guess then I could have used some thin, say 1/32, balsa as a doubler set at an angle. But being as the bottom of my fuz will be fully sheeted due to the plug in wings I'll have a fairly stout structure anyway John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted January 31, 2016 Share Posted January 31, 2016 I wouldn't worry. WE used to fly Little Ships with OS 10 FSRs and they had no doublers and they flew and flew for yers and were thrown around and into trees Fabulous little model and tough as old boots. No doublers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devcon1 Posted January 31, 2016 Author Share Posted January 31, 2016 Fuselage clamped up. You may notice I've extended the sides up to the spinner, because its now to become electrified I won't need to build up a balsa block nose to accommodate an ic engine. ( I think). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devcon1 Posted January 31, 2016 Author Share Posted January 31, 2016 I've extended and broadened the lower rear stringer to form the cockpit surround up to F2 , this will butt up to the removable front hatch for battery and motor access. . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyD Posted January 31, 2016 Share Posted January 31, 2016 ultra light weight looking good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devcon1 Posted January 31, 2016 Author Share Posted January 31, 2016 Weights looking good AndyD, not quite indoor stuff but hopefully good in a 5/6 mph.. Needed to find a former to shape the front turtle deck prior to fitting, miraculously I found an Old Peculiar which had just the right radius, I had to empty the contents before I could safely use it . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bouncebounce crunch Posted February 1, 2016 Share Posted February 1, 2016 This little Ballerina has doused my disappointment on subject chosen. Mr Miller must be proud of his model and chuffed with the variants in build and size. definately a worthy model and modeller. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devcon1 Posted February 2, 2016 Author Share Posted February 2, 2016 I know I would be if it was my design BBC.. Thanks go to the mightypeesh for this idea, I used to hate doing them but I've never had so much fun doing ribs since last summers maple and chilli barbecued ones. A little spare time this lunchtime I made up a jig on a table router and glued on the abrasive paper. The whole jig is machined from a single block which keeps the raised profiles parallel. The only real variation from MPs version was that I found I could place the master rib into the jig with the slotted blank then lift them out together, place on the cutting board and scalpel round the master. 20 ribs done in an hour. ( apart from the hour and a half making the jig) but they are the best ribs I've ever made. Hope the pictures make sense. Regards John Edited By John Milne on 02/02/2016 20:56:40 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john stones 1 - Moderator Posted February 2, 2016 Share Posted February 2, 2016 Jeez his jigs better than my model John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devcon1 Posted February 2, 2016 Author Share Posted February 2, 2016 But I bet your models fly better than my jigs . Ribs all done just need to cut the ends off for the flaps and ailerons. Last picture is the tail feathers faring. Usual method involved tack gluing some pieces the same size as the stabilisers together with the fairings themselves. It's all been sanded ready for separation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devcon1 Posted February 3, 2016 Author Share Posted February 3, 2016 To keep the outline of the nose as close as possible to the plan I've reduced the first former in width to negate using as much balsa block to get a nice profile. Top decking which forms the cockpit edge pinned in place. Now, there is no rational reason for the last picture other than I enjoy removing redundant material and any weight saved can be added as detail to the airframe later. Apologies. Pics are in reverse order. e Edited By John Milne on 03/02/2016 22:36:38 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john stones 1 - Moderator Posted February 3, 2016 Share Posted February 3, 2016 You're an accurate builder John bench is a disgrace though John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyD Posted February 3, 2016 Share Posted February 3, 2016 lovely work,some of you guys out there make me feel quite inadequate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devcon1 Posted February 3, 2016 Author Share Posted February 3, 2016 John, bench gets a minor clear down between stages but the more mess the more progress methinks . AndyD. Looking at your build you have nothing to worry about whatsoever, looking forward to seeing at Greenacres . Regards John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Barlow Posted February 4, 2016 Share Posted February 4, 2016 The bench looks perfect! Put anything down and he'll not find it inside 20 minutes! A proper bench! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devcon1 Posted February 4, 2016 Author Share Posted February 4, 2016 This is how is how it looked pre Ballerina . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted February 4, 2016 Share Posted February 4, 2016 Put somehting down and not find it in 20 minutes? Heck! I can't find my bench half the time!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AVC Posted February 4, 2016 Share Posted February 4, 2016 John, this mini Ballerina looks cute, and your workshop, well, my living room uses to be more messy than this!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devcon1 Posted February 4, 2016 Author Share Posted February 4, 2016 Thanks AVC. (if I took a picky tonight the true horror would be revealed) I'm loving building this lovely design, it's pretty much my perfect powered aircraft shape, era, style along with things like the Turbulent, Fly Baby et al. The Shed/Workshop is approaching 18 months old and I'm getting close to be able to lay my hand on most things fairly quickly now. Things are slowly falling into a natural order but there are times when I know I have for example a prop reamer, but can I find it . it seems to take four or five cycles of "where is it ?" "search, search, search", "find it", "put it back again" before I develop a mental index of where everything is Regards John Sounds like your bench is due a spring clean Peter. Dare you give us a picture of it ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.