Graeme Poke Posted November 30, 2023 Share Posted November 30, 2023 Can you help please. I have glued the leading edge onto my new glider wing that I am building. How do I form it to the correct shape without damaging the front of the ribs? Cheers Graeme Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leccyflyer Posted November 30, 2023 Share Posted November 30, 2023 Is this a shaped leading edge or a square/rectangular section length of balsa? I start off with a Davy plane, to get most of the rough shape correct, just being careful not to catch the ribs. Then move on to a Permagrit block, alternating with the Permagrit curved interior sanding tool and finishing off with 300 grit wet and dry on a cork sanding block. At that stage each rib gets a light touch with the sandpaper to make sure it doesn't present a step where it meets the leading edge. It's really just a case of being careful and not catching a rib when sanding across them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Burch 1 Posted November 30, 2023 Share Posted November 30, 2023 I stick Sellotape on the top and bottom of the ribs to protect them while planing and sanding. Works for me. (Other makes of sticky-back plastic tape are available). 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leccyflyer Posted November 30, 2023 Share Posted November 30, 2023 Great tip Simon - will be giving that a try right away. 🙂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Green Posted November 30, 2023 Share Posted November 30, 2023 I carefully plane along the LE, then when its getting close, use a coarse permagrit block and sand along the rib, and round the LE across the grain, to get the profile - then very carefully tidy up lengthwise. You will break some, we all do! 🙂 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ernie Posted November 30, 2023 Share Posted November 30, 2023 I think it was Danny Fenton who suggested an excellent method. Make a short length of balsa (say 6") that is a bit like a wee rain gutter, but with the inside shaped to match the required LE. Now glue in a bit of fine sandpaper, and you have a perfect tool for the job ernie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Lee Posted November 30, 2023 Share Posted November 30, 2023 Have a look through this thread for some more suggestions: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graeme Poke Posted December 2, 2023 Author Share Posted December 2, 2023 Thank you all. LC, it's square balsa. I have planed it and I am now block sanding it. Even though I try to be careful the sander occasionally takes a bit of the ribs. I'll try the sticky tape tip. May help. Also it's becoming a bit "wavy". Don't know why. Maybe I didn't have it secure enough with pins when I glued the ribs to the bottom balsa sheet when forming the "D" section. Anyway. Just persevere I guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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