David Ovenden Posted August 24, 2017 Share Posted August 24, 2017 I am putting together a VQ models 80" SBD Dauntless kit. https://www.topmodel.fr/en/product-detail-21491-sbd-5-dauntless-30cc-2-06m-arf IIt has a 3 piece wing with a long ali wing tube that goes right through the centre section so both tip panels plug onto it. The tips have a hatch to allow the tip panels to bolt to the centre section. The instructions suggest that the whole wing is epoxied up into a one-piece unit. I would like to keep a 3 piece wing to facilitate storage and transport. The wing tube is quite strong enough to allow the tip panels to plug on. But...? the location tubes in the wing itself are a sloppy fit on the tube. The wing tube itself is 25mm o/d. Seems like location tubes are 1" (25.4mm) resulting in a lose fit. So I would like to locate a 3ft length of 1" carbon fibre tube which would be a better fit. Anyone know who stocks imperial sizes? Alternatively, a source of very thin heatshrink tube to add to the existing wing tube? Standard HK stuff is too thick. Or another solution to the problem that doesn't involve major wing surgery? Edited By David Ovenden on 24/08/2017 21:22:42 Edited By David Ovenden on 24/08/2017 21:28:25 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon Whitehead 1 Posted August 24, 2017 Share Posted August 24, 2017 I've cured a sloppy-fitting wing tube before now by using solarfilm ironed onto the tube. It only needs a ring of the film on the tube to correspond with both ends of each socket. You don't need to iron it on for the full length of the tube. Gordon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevin b Posted August 24, 2017 Share Posted August 24, 2017 How about a piece of aluminium drinks can wrapped round ? Could be glued on if necessary, or litho plate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Hopkin Posted August 24, 2017 Share Posted August 24, 2017 Or give the wing tube a good coat of paint........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cymaz Posted August 25, 2017 Share Posted August 25, 2017 Several smooth coats of epoxy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Gray Posted August 25, 2017 Share Posted August 25, 2017 Use 1" aluminium tube instead? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Ovenden Posted August 26, 2017 Author Share Posted August 26, 2017 Thanks for the suggestions. I had contemplated tape, film, paint as a way of increasing diameter to fit the wing sockets. Not sure how well paint and film will adhere to ali tube. I may experiment with the epoxy resin idea as that resists fuel and is sandable to give a snug fit. Ron - do you know of a source for hardened thin-wall ali tube in 1" diameter? Or know the correct specification number/grade for wing tube grade ali tubing? Edited By David Ovenden on 26/08/2017 12:27:25 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Colbourne Posted August 27, 2017 Share Posted August 27, 2017 Hi David, When I was hang gliding, the standard tubing for our gliders was HT30TF, now called 6082 T6 **LINK** **LINK** Where are you geographically? You may find a hang glider or microlight company that can help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cymaz Posted August 27, 2017 Share Posted August 27, 2017 THIS any good?. It's 25mm OD, it's very close Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Ovenden Posted August 27, 2017 Author Share Posted August 27, 2017 Cymaz - Thanks for the link, but - 1" =25.4mm and it's the extra .4mm that I need to make the tube a snug fit in the wing sockets! Robin - Thanks for the links. I will see if I can find some locally at a price that is acceptable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevo Posted August 27, 2017 Share Posted August 27, 2017 My thoughts are epoxy coating as our Cornish Wizard states.. you only need it to be 0.2mm thick as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onetenor Posted August 27, 2017 Share Posted August 27, 2017 Glass cloth and varnish /epoxied in place. Wet and dry for final fitting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Ovenden Posted August 27, 2017 Author Share Posted August 27, 2017 Currently I'm waiting for some "thin" heatshrink tubing to arrive. I would like to see if that works as it's easy to undo. If that doesn't work I'll go with the thin layer of epoxy Failing that I'll be looking for 1" carbon or ali tube. If all else fails I may just have to settle for gluing it all into a once-piece wing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onetenor Posted August 27, 2017 Share Posted August 27, 2017 They also produced a material called Jablite but I can't recall what it was like. If you Google Jablite now it comes up as an EPP insulation foam and pricey it is too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cymaz Posted August 27, 2017 Share Posted August 27, 2017 Posted by Stevo on 27/08/2017 20:25:47: My thoughts are epoxy coating as our Cornish Wizard states.. you only need it to be 0.2mm thick as well I thank you kind sir. Now, where's my scythe....shirt off Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevo Posted August 28, 2017 Share Posted August 28, 2017 <swoon> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ken anderson. Posted August 28, 2017 Share Posted August 28, 2017 late in the day reply from me David............... what about the online kite seller's/suppliers?... worth a try.. ken Anderson...ne..1....... late reply dept. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrman Posted August 28, 2017 Share Posted August 28, 2017 Have you tried Mick Reeves? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyinBrian Posted August 28, 2017 Share Posted August 28, 2017 I had a similar problem with a QQ Yak, I broke the wing joining tube (dont ask!) which was 1" dia, the nearest I could get was 25mm. I cyano'd paper around the tube and gave it a light sanding afterwards. Worked perfectly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Trice 2 Posted August 29, 2017 Share Posted August 29, 2017 Masking tape wrapped around 25mm tube will work and the extra friction helps keep everything together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Ovenden Posted August 31, 2017 Author Share Posted August 31, 2017 OK, package arrived today from HK with some thin walled clear heat shrink tubing. I have just shrunk fitted this over the ali wing tube and hey presto I have a 1" diameter tube that is a snug fit in the wing sockets. Took 2 minutes to do has sorted the problem. That's what I call a successful conclusion. Thanks to all those who took the trouble to respond. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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