EarlyBird Posted January 26, 2021 Author Share Posted January 26, 2021 Fixed I peeled back the covering and glued a 1/32 ply splint down the side and reapplied the covering. Easy! Now this side is 1/32 wider than the other side and slightly heavier. Do I need to do the same on the other side? Cheers Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted January 26, 2021 Share Posted January 26, 2021 No! Unless you want to reinforce it for peace of mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EarlyBird Posted January 26, 2021 Author Share Posted January 26, 2021 I have gone for the peace of mind option and added the splint to the other side. The rudder is also hinged. I have ordered the Motor and ESC plus other bits and pieces from 4-Max. Oh yes I have made a decision on how to fit the battery hatch, I will use a spring catch that you showed earlier Peter. Tomorrow I can finish the elevator and fit the wing control horns which will finish the wings. There is a bit to do on the fuselage before final assembly can take place, but not a lot. That's another good day in North Lincolnshire. Cheers Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EarlyBird Posted January 28, 2021 Author Share Posted January 28, 2021 The tailplane and elevator are finished including the lead mass dampers. I have started final assembly by adjusting the wing and tailplane seatings as usual. Onwards and upwards with very little to show for a lot of fiddly work. Cheers Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EarlyBird Posted January 30, 2021 Author Share Posted January 30, 2021 Battery hatch. I went with a hybrid design, just to try something different. Different for me anyway. and fitted Happy with that. Next is the motor and esc. Stay tuned for more fun and frivolity Cheers Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EarlyBird Posted January 30, 2021 Author Share Posted January 30, 2021 Motor and ESC from 4-Max complete with all connections. The XT60 is a nice touch. The motor shaft extends into the battery bay, not a good idea. I have reversed the shaft previously, which is easy to do, but some people cut the shaft down. I have a hacksaw will that do the job? Cheers Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted January 30, 2021 Share Posted January 30, 2021 You need a Dremel or other minidrill from Argos and a cutting disc and mandrel from B&Q or Ebay. A hacksaw will not do it. Make a smallhole in a plastic bag and push the shaft through it and tape the bag up tight. This stops grit and filings going into the motor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EarlyBird Posted January 30, 2021 Author Share Posted January 30, 2021 Thanks Peter, I was dubious about the hacksaw idea and did not want to try because of the possible damage I could cause. The plastic bag is a good tip. Club mates could do it for me but... Looks like I will be reversing the shaft and using a collet adapter. Unless I leave it as it is and wait for the flying to start, when it can be cut down. In the mean time I can fit and test it. That's a decision made. Cheers Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john stones 1 - Moderator Posted January 30, 2021 Share Posted January 30, 2021 A mini hacksaw might do it, they cut piano wire, same routine bag it first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted January 30, 2021 Share Posted January 30, 2021 I have found that the average Junior hacksaw blade gets an accute case of Pyorea when asked to cut piano wire. Living without a mini drill would be impossible for me. I have two plus a spare. I even have a right angle drive for my Dremel. Ony use it about once a year but worth every penny. Edited By Peter Miller on 30/01/2021 13:31:27 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piers Bowlan Posted January 30, 2021 Share Posted January 30, 2021 Yes, motor shafts are often very hard and quite brittle which explains why they sometimes break rather than bend. Instead of a hacksaw a new fine triangular section file could be used to carefully cut a groove around the circumference of the shaft. Once completed the excess length can just be broken off with a pair of pliers and the shaft end tided up after. A Dremel with a suitable cutting disc would be my weapon of choice however. Good tip of the plastic bag to protect the motor, Peter. Edited By Piers Bowlan on 30/01/2021 13:39:23 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted January 30, 2021 Share Posted January 30, 2021 I have to admit that the plastic bag tip was from George at 4-Max Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EarlyBird Posted January 30, 2021 Author Share Posted January 30, 2021 What would we do without George at 4-Max. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted January 30, 2021 Share Posted January 30, 2021 Well I would be in trouble for a start Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EarlyBird Posted February 1, 2021 Author Share Posted February 1, 2021 Final assembly has started with the tailplane being glued in place. Not sure about the fin, it could be a bit heavy like that. Cheers Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EarlyBird Posted February 2, 2021 Author Share Posted February 2, 2021 Assembly complete. I was going to make the undercarriage but I would have to do that in the garage, using the large fixed vice, then it started snowing. For some reason that put me off, must be an age thing. Also Rx to install, control horns and push rods to do. I should have that done before lockdown ends. Cheers Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EarlyBird Posted February 3, 2021 Author Share Posted February 3, 2021 Two control horns fitted. This is the first time that I have used the ball connectors. Interesting idea and an improvement. I like them. Cheers Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Davies 3 Posted February 3, 2021 Share Posted February 3, 2021 Hi Steve, Great job! A note on ball joints; they do mask a problem a little. If you look at your rudder snake, it is not perpendicular to the hinge line. This means it will tighten up as it moves away from the centre point. This is because as the rudder moves through it's arc, the horn height remains constant relative to the ground. However, your snake will get closer to the ground as it pulls and further as it pushes. With a clevis, this would have been very noticeable as it will jam quickly. This is definitely lessened with a ball joint, but the problem is geometric, so still exists! Listen for your servo stalling at each end of the movement. If it is, it is an indication that it is tightening up and this may cause the ball joint to pop out. In an ideal world, if the snake or pushrod is perpendicular to the hinge line, the control run will be smooth throughout it's arc, and you can use whatever termination you like! Graham Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EarlyBird Posted February 3, 2021 Author Share Posted February 3, 2021 Thanks Graham, I have checked out what you said and can find no issues. Which for me is good. Cheers Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Davies 3 Posted February 3, 2021 Share Posted February 3, 2021 Good enough is good enough Steve! It looks great; your covering skills put mine to shame Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EarlyBird Posted February 3, 2021 Author Share Posted February 3, 2021 Graham you are not the first to comment about my covering. This one was going to be simply all red then I found some blue I wanted to use up and also yellow. With nothing better to do I thought I would have some more practice for the next build. Oddly I have never found covering difficult but I have improved with every build, this being my sixth. On my fifth the Ballerina I went to town with multicolours. It does create positive comments. Most people are very generous with their praise. Today I have been installing servo arms, RX and ESC, All tested with my TX and working. What's left to do? Wing controls and undercarriage. The flight line beckons, I wish, as we all do. Cheers Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EarlyBird Posted February 4, 2021 Author Share Posted February 4, 2021 Undercarriage done. I went for a tail wheel, from an old Riot. I think it will work better on the Tarmacadam runway. Wing controls, servo arms and control horns, and propeller to fit. Then back to the RF-4 Cheers Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted February 4, 2021 Share Posted February 4, 2021 Don't worry.....It won't stay on the ground long enough!! Take off rolls measure in inches Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EarlyBird Posted February 10, 2021 Author Share Posted February 10, 2021 All done ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EarlyBird Posted September 16, 2021 Author Share Posted September 16, 2021 Maiden flight today, without issue. But that's probably because I wasn't flying it.? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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