EarlyBird Posted July 27, 2020 Author Share Posted July 27, 2020 I am still shaking my head in disbelief at how simple and elegant your wing joining method is. Keep it simple. I like simple. Thanks yet again Peter. I am completely in awe! Cheers Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted July 27, 2020 Share Posted July 27, 2020 I like simple too. As I have said many times, I use the KISS principle all the time. I am looking at my drawing board at the moment. I have a biplane on it. I hate struts and cabin biplanes don't have quite the the same feeling for aerobatics. I have gone back to my control line designs from the 1970s. Prodlem solved!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EarlyBird Posted July 27, 2020 Author Share Posted July 27, 2020 Leading edge fitted bottom sheet glued. Beach block glued in place with pilot hole drilled through the bottom of the wing. Leading edge shaped ready for top sheeting. Waiting for glue to dry again! Cheers Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EarlyBird Posted July 27, 2020 Author Share Posted July 27, 2020 What is going on here? Cheers Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EarlyBird Posted July 27, 2020 Author Share Posted July 27, 2020 Leading edge sheet shaped in place after a quick soak on the outside. Look no glue! Glued. weighted down and leading edge pinned. Leave it to dry overnight. Another good days work on a wet and windy day. Cheers Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted July 27, 2020 Share Posted July 27, 2020 Tip of the week. If you see a clamp of any kind, beg, borrow, buy or even "aquire" it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EarlyBird Posted July 27, 2020 Author Share Posted July 27, 2020 Very good Peter But I acquired big batteries and they are very quick to use. I have admired your collection of bulldog clips that I have seen in your build logs. I am now wondering where I could acquire some. Office supplies? they cost money. Car boot sale? Too risky. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EarlyBird Posted July 28, 2020 Author Share Posted July 28, 2020 The glue is dry! This has to be the best result I have had with leading edge top sheeting. I have previously built three HK kits and a Das Ugly Stik(DUS) plan pack. First kit I had difficulty holding the sheeting in place using weights, tape and pins. Copious amounts of filler required. Second kit with wet sheeting was easier but easily damaged. Small amounts of filler required. First plan pack DUS wet sheeting then allowed to dry over night. Easiest so far no filler Third kit, HK Space walker, was a nightmare because of the design. Back to copious filler used This time no filler used Method Wet the sheet. Place on the wing. Use a plastic tube/bag. Use a ruler or thin wood to spread the load over the spar with clamps or weights to hold it in place. Use weights inside the tube to apply even pressure. See post 27/07/2020 17:25:06. Leave to dry. Glue the sheeting on. First time luck? I will find out on the second wing, Maybe Cheers Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted July 28, 2020 Share Posted July 28, 2020 You certainly got a good job there.Well done. The one thing that I always say. (one of many!) I never grudge spending money on tools. I have tools that I may only use once in a year but they are the only one that will do the job. Example. I have a right angle drive for my Dremel. About once a year I find that I need to drill a hole in a plywood former buried in the fuselage. The only way to do thatis with the right angle drive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EarlyBird Posted July 28, 2020 Author Share Posted July 28, 2020 Thanks Peter. I do try. I was told at school that I was always trying. I am not sure it was intended to be a compliment. Keep talking everything you say is interesting and a really big help to me. I always like to innovate, try something new. I am surprised how well the plastic bag and weights worked. Applying even pressure to the leading edge suddenly came together, one of those moments. Plus it was quick and simple, much quicker than pins or tape. Tools yes. I was using a Junior Hacksaw for ages, which worked, but recently I bought a Razor Saw which is so much easier and accurate. Next I am thinking of investing in a Fret Saw so that I can build from a plan. Pillar Drill would be useful. Hmmm the list is endless....... Cheers Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Berriman Posted July 28, 2020 Share Posted July 28, 2020 I built a nice glider and the tip for glued sheet to leading edges was dampen the wood glue down and weight down with model magazines that followed the compound curve perfectly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrman Posted July 28, 2020 Share Posted July 28, 2020 Ziplock freezer bags filled with sand or lead shot are excellent for providing a conforming weight when sheeting wings etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted July 28, 2020 Share Posted July 28, 2020 Posted by Keith Berriman on 28/07/2020 10:23:51: I built a nice glider and the tip for glued sheet to leading edges was dampen the wood glue down and weight down with model magazines that followed the compound curve perfectly I use that method when wings have to be completley sheet covered. Argos catalogues are very good for that. Steve. The fret saw is essential.You can get a good powered scrollsaw from Screwfix for reasonnable a reasonable price. when you have several 1/8" ply formers and some 1/4" ply parts it is vital. You can also use it on thick balsa. For example cutting 1/2" sheet at a slight angle for building the cowlis somucj=h easier.just tilt the plate the right amount andthe job is done. They will also cut aluminium sheet and beech engine bearers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EarlyBird Posted July 28, 2020 Author Share Posted July 28, 2020 Thanks Keith and jrman I will give it a go when sheeting the wings. Peter, Had to look up what a Scroll Saw was on Screwfix wow that is neat! Cheers Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted July 28, 2020 Share Posted July 28, 2020 I can tell you that I could not really live in my workshop without my scrollsaw. I bought mine nearly 20 years ago and it is used a lot on every one of my models. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted July 28, 2020 Share Posted July 28, 2020 Sorry double post Edited By Peter Miller on 28/07/2020 12:25:16 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kc Posted July 28, 2020 Share Posted July 28, 2020 Scrollsaws were dear in i990, got very cheap almost half price by 2010 ( 50 pound down from 100) now about 120 but with extra features like light , dust blower and variable speed. So a good time to buy- check out Axminster as well as Toolstation. Many look very similar but the fit and finish varies from make to make as does the extras, so look carefully at spec. Buy extra pin ended blades as they are difficult to get locally, and if there is an option for adaptor for ordinary fretsaw blades buy it whilst available as ordinary fretsaw blades are easy to get and come in wider range of teeth size. Also fretsaw blades go thro smaller holes than pin ended when doing internal cuts. Note that scrollsaws don't cut straight lines easily - need skill & patience! Curved cuts seem easy as you correct all the time, but straight cuts cannot be made by just pushing straight thro.. Blade tension is key so a quick release blade tension on top of saw is very worthwhile otherwise fiddly underneath at back ( like my old version ) Tension is adjusted by plucking blade like a musical instrument and listening for the note. Edited By kc on 28/07/2020 13:09:21 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kc Posted July 28, 2020 Share Posted July 28, 2020 One other thing about scrollsaws is the table - some have cast iron some alloy. Check out the weight. If you have a permanant position in a dry workshop then cast iron is best, if you have to move it around or have a damp workshop then alloy might be better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EarlyBird Posted July 28, 2020 Author Share Posted July 28, 2020 kc that's comprehensive information thanks. Space could be an issue as my house is full of planes, except the spare bedroom now that's an idea Looking at the prices they would soon pay for themselves, by not having to buy laser cut kits. Hmm Cheers Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EarlyBird Posted July 28, 2020 Author Share Posted July 28, 2020 Wing Ready to lift off the board Leading edge sanded ready for cap strip. Aileron completed On to the other wing I guess. Cheers Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kc Posted July 28, 2020 Share Posted July 28, 2020 Steve, I won't clog up your thread with a lot more about scroll saws, except to say i like the Record one out of those on sale now. Reasons are quick release+ light+ Fretsaw blade+5 year warranty. Lots of other makes have reviews where someone had the motor go dead after a few weeks - probably the 'ESC' part of the variable speed I suspect, so a 5 year warranty appeals. Older machines are very similar but don't have variable speed so go on for many years so would be a good buy secondhand if cheap enough and they come up quite often. However they need to be cheap to be worth buying as they lack the quick release, work light and blower. These are not essential but would add a lot to the convenience and satisfaction of working with the tool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted July 28, 2020 Share Posted July 28, 2020 Mine doesn't have variable speed...Never felt the need for it regardless of what I was cutting Doesn't have a quick release which would be handy at times but as I am not on piece work I can live with that As I often say "What isn't there can't go wrong." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EarlyBird Posted July 29, 2020 Author Share Posted July 29, 2020 Posted by Peter Miller on 28/07/2020 18:59:51: As I often say "What isn't there can't go wrong." True that is exactly my thoughts. I was thinking about investing in a fret saw because it has variable speed, does have quick release, I am not on piece work and there is nothing to go wrong. Edited By EarlyBird on 29/07/2020 06:22:36 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EarlyBird Posted July 29, 2020 Author Share Posted July 29, 2020 I am up with the Lark again, I have always been called an early bird. Bottom sheeting shaped and glued using the usual method. Test fit as always! Then glue and leave to dry on a flat surface. Cheers Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted July 29, 2020 Share Posted July 29, 2020 Well the fret saw will work.!! Used one for many years.....about 50 to be more accurate!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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