Remove a bulkhead from a glass fuse?
02-14-2004, 01:38 PM
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Remove a bulkhead from a glass fuse?
I have a plane I bought (saved from an inept builder) and it only had one bulkhead installed. This one bulkhead is heavy, unsymetrical and a general piece-o- 
. So I want to pull it out. Problem is, the wonder builder heavily glassed it in (helps fill the gaps) from one side. I need to get this thing out without destroying the fuselage.
There's a big hole in the middle of the fuse, so I figure I'll make radial cuts from the center to the fuselage skin with a cut-off wheel. Then I'll work at getting each piece out of there.
Anybody got any suggestions?
. So I want to pull it out. Problem is, the wonder builder heavily glassed it in (helps fill the gaps) from one side. I need to get this thing out without destroying the fuselage. There's a big hole in the middle of the fuse, so I figure I'll make radial cuts from the center to the fuselage skin with a cut-off wheel. Then I'll work at getting each piece out of there.
Anybody got any suggestions?
02-14-2004, 05:28 PM
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RE: Remove a bulkhead from a glass fuse?
I have watched a Guy do what your talking about with a heat gun. He managed to do it successfully. Actully he seperated a two piece fiberglass fuse removed one bulkhead(the one in the slipjoint)and put the entire tail section onto a new front section.
Maybe this is of some help.
Maybe this is of some help.
02-14-2004, 06:50 PM
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RE: Remove a bulkhead from a glass fuse?
Thanks, I was thinking about heat, but scared I would soften the fuse and make it ripple. I still am. My heat gun is pretty smokin hot. Maybe if I find a way to keep a wet towel against the outside of the fuse only the bulkhead & epoxy would heat up.
02-15-2004, 09:06 AM
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RE: Remove a bulkhead from a glass fuse?
I have used a 1/8 diameter carbide burr in a Dremel tool. Cut through the bulkhead as close to the glass fuselage as possible without hitting it, gouge it out all the way round. Then as Mike says use the sanding drum to remove what is left over. Believe me this is a tedious and messy process.
Ed S
Ed S
02-15-2004, 11:45 PM
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RE: Remove a bulkhead from a glass fuse?
OK, thanks. My Dad gave me a tool set for Xmas with 4 sizes of drill-mountable sanding drums. I guess that'll be how I make it pretty in there again. Still not looking forward to removing the bulkhead initially. It's made of 2 - 1/4" pieces doubled up in the center where it's really glued in well. So that's a 1/2" of material to get thru. Arrg.
02-16-2004, 07:35 AM
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RE: Remove a bulkhead from a glass fuse?
An afterthought, if the initial installation was a mess there is just a chance that the bulkhead is not bonded to the fuselage very well. So get a piece of say 1" dowel, hold it against the ply and give it a sharp crack with a hammer. It might break loose quite cleanly. It is worth a try.
Ed S
Ed S
