Alex Leigh Posted September 17, 2009 Author Share Posted September 17, 2009 Fuz mostly finished last night. Decided couldn't bring myself to bend the front in yet. That's a scary prospect that surely is going to end with something cracking! Anyway, I've amazed myself that everything seems to line up, it's absolutely square, and the formers have gone in perfectly. I've even been making up microbaloons fillets for each former. Mainly because I don't want to start shaping the l/e of the wing. And once that's done, I need to take a deep breath and cut into the wings for the servos. That's double scary. Quite enjoying it now tho Need to do some sanding as my gluing was a bit frenetic last night trying to get everything lined up. More tonight I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Leigh Posted September 20, 2009 Author Share Posted September 20, 2009 Right fuz is sheeted mostly. Filleted all my formers with microballoons. Decided not to glass anything after have a test with some stuff Frank gave me. A skill to far I think for this build. Pull the nose together this morning and that's most of the fuz finished. Waiting on my balsa plane before starting the wings. Andy Sanding tips for getting good radius curves for the fuz? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Mackey Posted September 20, 2009 Share Posted September 20, 2009 Who is Andy Sanding then ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Mackey Posted September 20, 2009 Share Posted September 20, 2009 Use a good quality paper, and free hand with gentle touch and mk1 eyeball. You could take off the first few cuts with a razor plane, depending how much surplus there is, but I always finish free hand ( EG: not a sanding block ) if its anything other than completely flat surface. Of course, that perfect symmetrical smooth curve wont last too long anyway Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Leigh Posted September 20, 2009 Author Share Posted September 20, 2009 Cheers Timbo. Andy Sanding is my alter-ego. A man who is at his happiest with a bit of fine grain sandpaper in his hand. As opposed to ol' "powertool" Al who struggles with the patience required Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Ashby - Moderator Posted September 20, 2009 Share Posted September 20, 2009 Looking good, early impressions of a trad build then Alex? Edited By David Ashby - RCME moderator on 20/09/2009 10:58:44 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Leigh Posted September 21, 2009 Author Share Posted September 21, 2009 Quite satisfying actually. Nice to see it coming together. Pretty well thought out this as well so even within my limited skill set. Well I say that now, ask me in a couple of days! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Leigh Posted September 25, 2009 Author Share Posted September 25, 2009 Right general life stuff has got in the way of building. But I've managed a bit more. Fuz is close to being done (prior to sanding). Still have canopy to build. Bending in the nose took a while to get it right. Think it's on the centre line, close enough anyway. Looks straight. Next time I need to be less prolific with the glue. Wings are started. Those leading edges took over an hour each but I'm pretty happy with them. After I've done the trailing edges, then it's time to mount the wing servos. Bought some boxes and just intend to cut them in where the wing section is the widest. Anything I need to know about that? Hoping to get it ready for the 11th Timbo! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Mackey Posted September 25, 2009 Share Posted September 25, 2009 Hoping is no good Alex...work rate is needed ! Dont ya dare turn up without her..... I love a good maiden on the big rock ...oooerrr missus! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Leigh Posted September 25, 2009 Author Share Posted September 25, 2009 Message received and understood Timbo. I'll just have to set my "out of office reply" for work, friends and family and it'll be fine. When I get to the covering stage (which I HATE), is there an option to paint it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Fowler Posted September 25, 2009 Share Posted September 25, 2009 Just joined this forum, so first off hello everyone Alex, I'm in the same position as you - I've just started a Middle Phase build. Like you I've not built anything but EPP before, so I've got a bit to learn. I used to work as a cabinet maker, so the woodwork side should be OK, but doing a good covering job may be more interesting. Couple of quick questions for you if you don't mind - Those wing servo boxes in your photo - do they have a box that you glue into the wing to maintain the wing strength. My local model shop suggested I cut a 50mm hole in the underside of the wing,leaving just the upper surface veneer, then line with thin ply and epoxy, then build a frame to hold servos in place. Those servo boxes look a lot easier What are you going to do about joining wings - LMS suggested glass bandage and epoxy to strengthen joint then do a lot of sanding. On another forum I've seen suggestions to use a couple of 1/16th ply spars set into wings (going about 8" into each wing) instead of the bandage. The thin bandage in the kit didn't get very good comments. Hope you don't mind me asking. Cheers Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Mackey Posted September 25, 2009 Share Posted September 25, 2009 Posted by Alex Leigh on 25/09/2009 10:35:38:Message received and understood Timbo. I'll just have to set my "out of office reply" for work, friends and family and it'll be fine. When I get to the covering stage (which I HATE), is there an option to paint it? I guess you could use lightweight nylon and PolyC - then paint with your choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Leigh Posted September 25, 2009 Author Share Posted September 25, 2009 Thanks Timbo. Yet more technologies to confuse me Hi Steve. Welcome You're in far better shape than with your woodworking skills. So this will be a breeze for you. To try and answer your questions The wing servo mounts are in the round, I specifically bought them as a) they fit my JR servos and b) round seemed a better shape than square for cutting into the wing. I think I'll probably line the whole with balsa as well though. My plan is to cut from the bottom at the deepest section of the wing core. Quite scary! In terms of the servo leads, I may try and "tunnel" into the foam with a brass rod, cut the end of the servo lead off and pull it through that way. Not sure yet. The wing bandage is a bit of a brute. I'd not really thought about it. Quite like the idea of spars but since I'm cutting into the foam already, not sure I want to do it again. How far are you with the build? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Fowler Posted September 25, 2009 Share Posted September 25, 2009 Only just started the build for an hour or so last night, so just joined front and rear of sides and glued formers to balsa backing - bit of a way to go yet. Hopefully get some time this evening if it fits round the usual family stuff. I'm building it in the shed this time, so I can leave it all lying about and keep sneaking out - so should be quicker than keep clearing up the kitchen table. For the wing servo wires, I've seen advice about cutting a tunnel with a sharpened tube, or melt it with a thick wire with the last 1/2" heated. Seems like some people then line the tunnel with thick drinking straws, or brown paper & glue rolled into a straw. I don't know if all servo connectors are the same, but I know in Hitec servos, the little metal connectors in the black plastic connector block can be taken in & out - that would save cutting / rejoining wires. I'm itching to get on with it now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris C Posted September 25, 2009 Share Posted September 25, 2009 haha i thought i would share a pic with u of our middle phase lol not much modified haha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Leigh Posted September 26, 2009 Author Share Posted September 26, 2009 Chris - that's a horrible thing to do to a classic Stephen - well I've run out of things to do so tonight I'll be cutting in the servo boxes. The whole straw/hot brass thing looks fraught with danger. I'll see how I'm feeling after I've cut into the wing for the servos! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris C Posted September 26, 2009 Share Posted September 26, 2009 u should see it now with a .40 in the nose FEEL THE POWER! lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Leigh Posted September 26, 2009 Author Share Posted September 26, 2009 Feel the CRASH Right after a scientific analysis of the best place to cut the wing (that'll be the thickest bit then to accommodate the servo mount), I took a deep breath and made a hole. Which I have now filled with a servo mount. Servo is a perfect fit, will just cyano it in probably or maybe even servo tape so I can get it out if it fails. I've looked at the hot wire solution for the cable, and decided to go with a rather cruder cut'n'shut of the veneer. Might work, we'll see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris C Posted September 28, 2009 Share Posted September 28, 2009 well today i made a new tailplane out of 4mm ply instead of blasa beacuse the balsa tailplane wasnt adiquate, any idea on how good this will be? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Skilbeck Posted September 28, 2009 Share Posted September 28, 2009 Posted by Alex Leigh on 26/09/2009 13:56:13:Feel the CRASH Right after a scientific analysis of the best place to cut the wing (that'll be the thickest bit then to accommodate the servo mount), I took a deep breath and made a hole. Which I have now filled with a servo mount. Servo is a perfect fit, will just cyano it in probably or maybe even servo tape so I can get it out if it fails. I've looked at the hot wire solution for the cable, and decided to go with a rather cruder cut'n'shut of the veneer. Might work, we'll see. Alex, rather than cut the veneer, cut a hole in the foam from the center with a bit of tube , 10mm copper tube or similar you should have some lying around from your other project , with and then thread the servo wire through. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Fowler Posted October 1, 2009 Share Posted October 1, 2009 Hi Alex, Hows the build going - mines coming along slowly, but nearly at the stage of shaping fuselage. Have you built your wings totally flat. Instructions say 1" dihedral uder each wing for "trainer" aileron, or totally flat. Not sure whether to go totally flat, or half way between the two. Also, any idea of the amount of nose weight required for correct C of G - just trying to plan ahead and leave a space just behind nose Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Leigh Posted October 1, 2009 Author Share Posted October 1, 2009 I built mine flat. They have a very small amount of dihedral. I am only just ahead of you. Too many things to do other than build. Winds are joined but no bandage yet, tips are done, t/e. l/e done, ailerons need shaping to work for a top hinge. Fuz is getting there (see pics). Just tail, rudder, servo mounts, gear installation, covering, etc, etc but I think I can at least see the home straight! Popped the wings on last night and it was looking ace! Made a few mistakes, nose isn't exactly straight but close enough for me. (you need to click on the pics, as they are not rendered correctly in the vertical plane...) Still some more to do, but I least I am up to the lamination layer so I can see I'm close. Dents are where I just dropped it! Edited By Alex Leigh on 01/10/2009 14:49:34 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Mackey Posted October 1, 2009 Share Posted October 1, 2009 Hi Alex...hope you are still on course for the maiden at the Orme on Sunday 11th thenI have spent week rebuilding my "written off" hawk, which is now even better than better before, and before the 11th I have a Wildthing to do .... an Alula from scratch, and repair the Jart if my mate Steve gets me the fus finished - so we are all gonna be busy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Leigh Posted October 1, 2009 Author Share Posted October 1, 2009 I'll be lucky to finish this. I'm still sanding! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Leigh Posted October 6, 2009 Author Share Posted October 6, 2009 Getting closer. Just finishing the tailplane. Need to fir servos and start looking at getting all the hinging/horns done. But I'm going to be covering stuff first. Three 2m rolls of profilm coming tomorrow. ORange/Violet/White. Chosen by my kids. I've no idea what it's going to look like. I have learned SO MUCH doing this. I want to do another one when it's finished. Phase 6 for Xmas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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