How to install Blenderm hinge tape
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How to install Blenderm hinge tape
I am assembling my first foam plane a Turnigy Piaget EPP-CF 3D. I don't want to use the hinges that came with the kit. Not sure how to properly install Blenderm tape. any help would be appreciated. Guess I have to get ready for the indoor flying.
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RE: How to install Blenderm hinge tape
Also, 2nd question. What kind of foam safe CA should I use. Thick, medium, not even sure what it comes in. Going to the LHS this morning, however most of the employees are car and truck guys, so not sure I trust them to make the right choice. Thank Heavens for RCU
#3
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RE: How to install Blenderm hinge tape
The way I use the tape is to run a strip the entire length of the control surface. Bevel the L.E. of the ail. / elev. etc. along the lower edge first...about 45 degrees, then run the tape along the top of the surface. Leave just a wee bit of space (maybe 1/32 ) between the T.E. of wing/stab etc. and the control surface to be attached.
I put the tape on the control surface first, then apply to wing, etc. (if you're building a foamy, lay the wing/etc. flat on the table then stick the pre taped ail. to the wing.
I prefer medium foam safe CA and make sure you get the foam safe accelerator (or the ca will take forever to dry )
Another way to hinge w/ tape is to pin down the wing (for example ) and pin down the ail. w/ the small gap between...then apply the tape.
That works quite well with flat surfaces like a flat wing profile foamy type.
I put the tape on the control surface first, then apply to wing, etc. (if you're building a foamy, lay the wing/etc. flat on the table then stick the pre taped ail. to the wing.
I prefer medium foam safe CA and make sure you get the foam safe accelerator (or the ca will take forever to dry )
Another way to hinge w/ tape is to pin down the wing (for example ) and pin down the ail. w/ the small gap between...then apply the tape.
That works quite well with flat surfaces like a flat wing profile foamy type.
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RE: How to install Blenderm hinge tape
ORIGINAL: proptop
I put the tape on the control surface first, then apply to wing, etc. (if you're building a foamy, lay the wing/etc. flat on the table then stick the pre taped ail. to the wing.
I prefer medium foam safe CA and make sure you get the foam safe accelerator (or the ca will take forever to day )
I put the tape on the control surface first, then apply to wing, etc. (if you're building a foamy, lay the wing/etc. flat on the table then stick the pre taped ail. to the wing.
I prefer medium foam safe CA and make sure you get the foam safe accelerator (or the ca will take forever to day )
#6
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RE: How to install Blenderm hinge tape
ORIGINAL: goirish
You need to bevel the L.E. of the ail. or elev. with all of the angle on the lower edge...not a double bevel, but like a "Top Hinged" aileron or elev.
You need to leave a small gap too so you have frredom of movement on the downward part of the travel...
It's kinda tough to explain..I know..
I know this is dumb, but, if I lay it flat and then put the tape on, how will it flex in both directions. I have visions of being only able to flex one way. I know I am missing something in your post (I think)[&o][&o]
ORIGINAL: proptop
I put the tape on the control surface first, then apply to wing, etc. (if you're building a foamy, lay the wing/etc. flat on the table then stick the pre taped ail. to the wing.
I prefer medium foam safe CA and make sure you get the foam safe accelerator (or the ca will take forever to day )
I put the tape on the control surface first, then apply to wing, etc. (if you're building a foamy, lay the wing/etc. flat on the table then stick the pre taped ail. to the wing.
I prefer medium foam safe CA and make sure you get the foam safe accelerator (or the ca will take forever to day )
You need to leave a small gap too so you have frredom of movement on the downward part of the travel...
It's kinda tough to explain..I know..
I know this is dumb, but, if I lay it flat and then put the tape on, how will it flex in both directions. I have visions of being only able to flex one way. I know I am missing something in your post (I think)[&o][&o]
Edit: Boy...I messed up that quote didn't I ?!
I accidently put my reply into your post...duh...oops.
#7
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RE: How to install Blenderm hinge tape
When I say tape, I mean the Blenderm (great stuff! ) I just shortened it (didn't feel like typing Blenderm that many times )
Years ago, when I started building foamies (5-6 yrs ago ) I didn't know about Blenderm...and some of the other so called "special" tapes were nothing more than scotch tape...so that's what I used. Blenderm is MUCH better.
I think the 3M Blenderm is a medical tape? Derm is another word for skin I believe? I think Blenderm probably came from a Dermatoligist who was also into R/C (just speculation )
Years ago, when I started building foamies (5-6 yrs ago ) I didn't know about Blenderm...and some of the other so called "special" tapes were nothing more than scotch tape...so that's what I used. Blenderm is MUCH better.
I think the 3M Blenderm is a medical tape? Derm is another word for skin I believe? I think Blenderm probably came from a Dermatoligist who was also into R/C (just speculation )
#9
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RE: How to install Blenderm hinge tape
Gene:
A couple years ago, I was a the WRAM Show in New York. I bought a "Bug" from
http://www.lightflite.com/
They use UHU Creativ glue for just about everything. One thing, though, they used Blenderm and the UHU Creativ glue together. The instructions stated to use your finger and apply some UHU Creativ glue along the hinge line where the tape would go, let it set, then press the tape right on the UHU Creativ glue strip.
This works, trust me.
You can get UHU Creativ glue at your favorite arts and crafts store. Make sure you get the UHU Creativ glue because there are other types of UHU gule. You want the Creativ glue.
Dick (CGr)
A couple years ago, I was a the WRAM Show in New York. I bought a "Bug" from
http://www.lightflite.com/
They use UHU Creativ glue for just about everything. One thing, though, they used Blenderm and the UHU Creativ glue together. The instructions stated to use your finger and apply some UHU Creativ glue along the hinge line where the tape would go, let it set, then press the tape right on the UHU Creativ glue strip.
This works, trust me.
You can get UHU Creativ glue at your favorite arts and crafts store. Make sure you get the UHU Creativ glue because there are other types of UHU gule. You want the Creativ glue.
Dick (CGr)
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RE: How to install Blenderm hinge tape
> if I lay it flat and then put the tape on, how will it flex in both directions. <
Not dumb, it is a good question. The key element is to have a small gap between the the two surfaces when they are joined. If there is no gap the control surface will up, but not down. This applies to both tape and to film (covering) hinges. I set this up on a trial fit with balsa shims for the gap and masking tape pieces simulating the hinge. This lets you check if the gap allows enough throw for the control surface.
Not dumb, it is a good question. The key element is to have a small gap between the the two surfaces when they are joined. If there is no gap the control surface will up, but not down. This applies to both tape and to film (covering) hinges. I set this up on a trial fit with balsa shims for the gap and masking tape pieces simulating the hinge. This lets you check if the gap allows enough throw for the control surface.
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RE: How to install Blenderm hinge tape
ORIGINAL: goirish
I know this is dumb, but, if I lay it flat and then put the tape on, how will it flex in both directions. I have visions of being only able to flex one way. I know I am missing something in your post (I think)[&o][&o]
ORIGINAL: proptop
I put the tape on the control surface first, then apply to wing, etc. (if you're building a foamy, lay the wing/etc. flat on the table then stick the pre taped ail. to the wing.
I prefer medium foam safe CA and make sure you get the foam safe accelerator (or the ca will take forever to day )
I put the tape on the control surface first, then apply to wing, etc. (if you're building a foamy, lay the wing/etc. flat on the table then stick the pre taped ail. to the wing.
I prefer medium foam safe CA and make sure you get the foam safe accelerator (or the ca will take forever to day )
goirish
You are accustomed to beveling control surfaces for balsa planes, where you would put a 45 degree bevel on the top, and the bottom of the (let's say elevator) leaving a very small flat strip in the middle, where you would insert your hinge. With most foamies, the hinge line is on the top surface of the elevator, with all the 45 degree bevel being on the underside so the surface can hinge down. This is how my Seminoll works anyway. I could draw a picture if I haven't explained myself properly.
PS ....I just used elevator as an example. Actually all my foamie controll surfaces are beveled this way.
Lm
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RE: How to install Blenderm hinge tape
Thanks for all the input. I did go to the LHS and pick up some blenderm tape. It is really flexable. I did cut a 45* on the leading edge of the aileron from the bottom. When I put the tape on I left a small gap approx 1/32 and it worked great. Just hope it don't come off in flight. AH!!! won't be flying that hard indoors anyways. Thanks again.
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RE: How to install Blenderm hinge tape
I second what CGr says about the UHU Creativ Glue along with the Blenderm tape. For consideration about any future foamies, this combination really plants the tape down for good!
I used it for hinges on an obscenely priced, high speed Multiplex foamie with excellent results.
And, at my age and with fat fingers, I found making and installing these type of tape hinges to be quite the task. A good popsicle stick or strong flat wooden coffee stirrer is helpful for smoothing down the tape, as suggested above.
I used it for hinges on an obscenely priced, high speed Multiplex foamie with excellent results.
And, at my age and with fat fingers, I found making and installing these type of tape hinges to be quite the task. A good popsicle stick or strong flat wooden coffee stirrer is helpful for smoothing down the tape, as suggested above.
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RE: How to install Blenderm hinge tape
Almost...you could call it bedding the tape down into the glue, however, it is actually more like applying a very thin layer of the glue to act as a binder between the foam and the tape, which augments the holding power of the tapes adhesive. You can seal the leading edge of the tape also, by spreading the glue along, then up over the edge.
Is this process Overkill? Perhaps! I's like the Foamie's version of "Pinning" standard nylon hinges into place! (yes...I do that too)
At the liteflight website's front page if you scroll down towards the bottom, you can see a picture of the now discontinued UHU creativ glue. There is mention about a current replacement.
http://www.lightflite.com/
Is this process Overkill? Perhaps! I's like the Foamie's version of "Pinning" standard nylon hinges into place! (yes...I do that too)
At the liteflight website's front page if you scroll down towards the bottom, you can see a picture of the now discontinued UHU creativ glue. There is mention about a current replacement.
http://www.lightflite.com/
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RE: How to install Blenderm hinge tape
goirish...Great hunting on a price for the tape! That's about what it's really worth per roll, imo.
Now..please hunt-eth forth on a price for the UHU glue!
Now..please hunt-eth forth on a price for the UHU glue!
#22
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RE: How to install Blenderm hinge tape
My "Significant Other" works at the local hospital. She was able to order some via the hospital an I paid cost for a box of the 1 inch Blenderm. Came in a box of 12 rolls.
I did the same thing as Gene did.. passed some around the club members. I didn't give them the UHU Creative, they had to get that on their own..
CGr
I did the same thing as Gene did.. passed some around the club members. I didn't give them the UHU Creative, they had to get that on their own..
CGr
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RE: How to install Blenderm hinge tape
I would like to know the part number of the 3M Blenderm tape? I have a two year old boxes with the part number 1531p-1, and I cannot find anything with this number. I see on the 3M site part number 1525-1, it look the same, but I remainder that they where two different type in the store. And one was easily ripped vertically and horizontal, and the tape same not clear, but semi-transparent? Thanks.
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RE: How to install Blenderm hinge tape
Try this link
http://www.restockit.com/blenderm-1-x-5-yard-10-tape-(8815251).html?srccode=cii_9324560&cpncode=32-169409500-2&source=IDx20111014x00001e&utm_source=IDx20111014x00001e&utm_medium=paid&utm_campaign=comparison&utm_term=8815251&bvar7=nextag&bvar10=nextag
http://www.restockit.com/blenderm-1-x-5-yard-10-tape-(8815251).html?srccode=cii_9324560&cpncode=32-169409500-2&source=IDx20111014x00001e&utm_source=IDx20111014x00001e&utm_medium=paid&utm_campaign=comparison&utm_term=8815251&bvar7=nextag&bvar10=nextag