So, after a few months' hiatus, construction begins on a new Tsunami for myself and finishing my brothers. We did not get to prime his today, but I was able to wax, paint and prep the molds over the weekend. Because of today's holiday, I had the chance to layup a stab.
Our goal, as stated previously, is to fly the new composite wings on my Tsunami fuse. Hopefully, better construction and care on my part will yield lighter results this time on the hollow core wing.
Photos will come as we get time to work on the models. I anticipate updates every couple of days so you can see the progress.
Michael
Here's the stab in the mold - Note that I used red this time when painting my molds prior to layup. This way, the part will come out red, and hopefully need minimal filling before painting..
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Joined: 1/14/2002 From: San Jose,
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Here's the fuse and wing the molds prepped for layup. Stab is in the vacuum bag. In two weeks' time, I hope to have a complete wing and fuse out of the molds and being put together. The nice part about composites is that most of the hard work is done once it comes out of the mold.
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Joined: 1/21/2002 From: Bay Area, CA, Status: offline
Hey Mike,
I just found the previous thread... and now this one. Great job!
I have a couple of questions for you regarding your home build vac. bagging system.
1) How? 2) How much? 3) Where can I get the parts to build my own?
If you have time - shoot me an e-mail (tedpierson@yahoo.com)
Thanks, Ted p.s. We missed you yesterday at the field. It was not a good day... 6 went in. 4 total losses. 1 Minor repairs needed. 1 just needs a new tail wheel.
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5/29/02 Update:
Stab is closed up and out of the mold. No photos yet. Camera is on loan for a day or two. Next up is prepping materials for fuse and wing, along with primer on Chris's Tsunami.
Stab came out light, and strong. skin hinge should be much better than the last stab. More flexible, yet sufficiently strong.
Also, I will be putting together some info on home made vacuum baggers soon for those interested.
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Joined: 1/14/2002 From: San Jose,
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Forgot to pick up the camera from my brother's for photos tonight, but I did go out and cut the flashing off of the stab, cut the elevator edges, and check the skin hinges (very nice this time)! I weighed the stab and it is 4.1oz. Not bad. The heaviest part is the aluminum joiner (3/16" and all of the epoxy/milled fiber around it. I'm certainly progressing. I can't wait to do the wing this weekend!
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Tsunami - composites, part 2 - 
and all of the epoxy/milled fiber around it. I'm certainly progressing. I can't wait to do the wing this weekend!