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bigtim -> RE: Royal-FW190A8 (5/8/2008 5:55:19 AM)
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tail structure skins, so this is some basic stuff but for those who haven't done it it can be a pain and its really very easy,I am skinning the tail with 1/16 balsa sheeting. what I do is size the skin I need to make for a given part tonight was for the rudder and elevator,after sanding the ribs for the elevator/rudder, between Basketball games[:D] I sized up some balsa sheets,by sizing I mean cut to length, and tru the edges being glued with my strait edge ruler for each part being covered, once I do this I take several pieces of tape and set them aside so I can access them when needed,I then line up the edges and squeeze the edge tightly together and apply tape across the seam,moving down the seam making sure the joint is tight. after the sheets are taped, I fold them and press firmly so the tape is tight at the joint,so I don't need to add a bunch of exess glue,the glue I prefer is titebondII it sands well and is flexable,unlike CA which is stiff and is hard to sand,the reaason I prefer TB II over the III is that the III doesn't sand as well IMO and I use alot of it for work the TBII is water resistant not proof like the III but will withstand wetting if needed for flexability in the sheeting. before I start with the glue I take some wax paper and lay it on a flat surface,and depending on how many skins I need to make,tear off as many pieces of wax paper I need to go between skins so they don't stick together. I have done as many as 4 wing skins at one time this way,gluing up 4 sheets together for one skin. I then apply a small bede of glue along the seam,or seams if doing multiple sheets like tonight,making sure there is no gaps in the glue and simply flatten the wood untill I see the glue ooze out,with a old playing card or one of those dummy credit cards they always seem to send out,they work well for this,I scrape off the exess glue,and wipe it off on a paper towel making sure that the fresh skin doesnt lift and separate at the seam. I lay the wax paper over it and weight the skin down,tonight was half filled cans of fuel and solvent,a full can would need to have a buffer like some plywood or a book so as to not scar the skin with 1/16 wood a scar is hard to get rid of. to remove a dent or scar a 50% denatured alcohol and water mix will inflate the wood I have removed some big dents but it doesn't always work. the titebond sets up in about a hour and I usually wait 2 before sanding on a flat surface to remove any imperfections in the joints. if you wait to sand untill after you glue it to the structure you end up with a wavy surface,and sometimes sand throughs, so sanding before eliminates the need after installation and allows for thinner skins over the ribs. taped ready for glue up. weighted skins drying. skins ready for sanding.
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