Wing dowel wear.  
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    • All Forums >> RC Airplanes >> 3D Flying! >> Wing dowel wear.
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    Wing dowel wear. - 7/24/2003 9:48:06 AM   
    BLT



    Posts: 10
    Joined: 4/1/2003
    From: Friday Harbor, WA, USA
    Status: offline     		After only 10 flights my wing locating dowels show significant wear, approx. 15 % of the diameter. The wear pattern is consistent with right rolling manoeuvers (who rolls left, anyway? ). Clearly, the gear bulkhead is too thin, causing high bearing loads on the dowels, probably made worse by soft dowel material. I am in process of reinforcing the bulkhead and replacing the dowels. I guess if my experience is in any way typical it will pay to inspect this area frequently. The only good news is that this wear is allowing the wing to move around and may be contributing to the airplane's atrocious elevator sensitivity.

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    BLT

    (in reply to YNOT)
           Post #: 26

    Flyn' the H9 Funtana Set up's and Mods - 7/24/2003 10:02:19 AM   
    BLT



    Posts: 10
    Joined: 4/1/2003
    From: Friday Harbor, WA, USA
    Status: offline     		IFLYIT, - I installed an elevator servo on each elevator half (HS 225's) similar to my UCD60. I have HS605's on the ailerons. Regardless of the above, this is the worst pitch sensitivity I have ever experienced.

    _____________________________

    BLT

    (in reply to YNOT)
           Post #: 27

    Flyn' the H9 Funtana Set up's and Mods - 7/24/2003 10:12:54 AM   
    awat


     

    Posts: 224
    Joined: 2/25/2002
    Status: offline     		For those who have not seen the Funtana in action, go to [url]www.minnesotarc.com[/url] They have a video of the Funtana doing a harrier into a torque roll than into a harrier rolling circle. Pretty cool.

    _____________________________

    aw

    (in reply to YNOT)
           Post #: 28

    Flyn' the H9 Funtana Set up's and Mods - 7/24/2003 5:49:55 PM   
    jmiracle


     

    Posts: 592
    Joined: 5/13/2002
    From: Findlay, OH, USA
    Status: offline     		I'm really starting to wonder if the comments I'm reading about this plane snapping and being extremely pitch-sensitive aren't coming from the same people who have reported problems with the wing-dowels?
    It seems obvious there's some pretty significant differences in the building/quality of this plane...
    Has anyone fixed the wing-dowel problem on their plane and eliminated the movement of the wing in the saddle? If so, can someone report on whether or not this improved the snapping tendancies and/or helped with the pitch sensitivity?
    It seems like there's quite a few people out there who are rather frustrated with their Funtana...it would be nice to find out if this is a relatively easy fix.
    I know my Funtana does not exhibit any of the snapping issues other people are reporting, and while it did seem pitch sensitive...it was definitely manageable and a little tweaking with a computer radio soften it right up.
    The only major difference I have picked up on between mine and others Funtana is that my wing is really almost a press-fit into the wing saddle. Even once the wing-dowels are in the holes, I have to apply some pressure to seat the wing enough to bolt it down. Even before it's bolted down, the wing really doesn't want to move around once it's seated. Maybe I just got lucky??

    (in reply to YNOT)
           Post #: 29

    Mine flys great - 7/24/2003 6:00:42 PM   
    garydog



    Posts: 162
    Joined: 12/7/2002
    From: Rapid City , SD,
    Status: offline     		I put 6 min epoxy around the holes accidently when I was building and now I really have to push the wing down to fit. + I have a piece of foam mousepad athe the aft end of my fuel tank the helps everything fit tight.

    I feel this plane is Good at 3-d but is a Great Flying airplane. I have other planes that will do any one trick great but this plane will do it all. Ass far as walls. Mine is so fast it sounds like somebody snaping a rug when it does it.

    Waterfalls were really really tight with spolierons. Mine will ke but not loop.

    Dan

    (in reply to YNOT)
           Post #: 30

    Flyn' the H9 Funtana Set up's and Mods - 7/24/2003 6:18:12 PM   
    TerryPhillips


     

    Posts: 38
    Joined: 9/6/2002
    From: Knoxville, TN, USA
    Status: offline     		[QUOTE]Originally posted by jmiracle
    I'm really starting to wonder if the comments I'm reading about this plane snapping and being extremely pitch-sensitive aren't coming from the same people who have reported problems with the wing-dowels? [/QUOTE]

    My wing has a pretty good fit from the factory, but I still used some 3/8w x 1/8t wing seating tape to seal/snug things up a bit. Regardless, it's still very pitch sensitive. I have brought it to a level of comfort with D/Rs and Expo, but all I've done it covered up the problem, not fixed it. Kind of discerning...

    TGP

    (in reply to YNOT)
           Post #: 31

    Flyn' the H9 Funtana Set up's and Mods - 7/24/2003 6:26:02 PM   
    jmiracle


     

    Posts: 592
    Joined: 5/13/2002
    From: Findlay, OH, USA
    Status: offline     		[QUOTE]Originally posted by TerryPhillips
    My wing has a pretty good fit from the factory, but I still used some 3/8w x 1/8t wing seating tape to seal/snug things up a bit. Regardless, it's still very pitch sensitive. I have brought it to a level of comfort with D/Rs and Expo, but all I've done it covered up the problem, not fixed it. Kind of discerning...

    TGP     [/QUOTE]

    Have you noticed any snapping tendancies as well? Or is it just a pitch-sensitivity problem?

    (in reply to YNOT)
           Post #: 32

    Flyn' the H9 Funtana Set up's and Mods - 7/24/2003 6:53:24 PM   
    TerryPhillips


     

    Posts: 38
    Joined: 9/6/2002
    From: Knoxville, TN, USA
    Status: offline     		So far in the first 6 flights, I've had to focus on my OS 46FX due to tuning issues. Now that that's solved, i'll concentrate on flying and twisting the plane up a bit. I'll take some mental notes of the issues posted here and get back with ya'll.

    TGP

    (in reply to YNOT)
           Post #: 33

    Flyn' the H9 Funtana Set up's and Mods - 7/24/2003 6:56:18 PM   
    RGilliland


     

    Posts: 8
    Joined: 4/10/2003
    From: Little Rock, AR,
    Status: offline     		I fixed my dowels by gluing a piece of 11/32" brass tubing over them and drilling out the bulkhead with a uni bit.

    Mine gets a little pitch sensitive when the tank is almost empty but is okay untill then. My cg is right at the rear of the recommended range.

    (in reply to YNOT)
           Post #: 34

    Flyn' the H9 Funtana Set up's and Mods - 7/24/2003 9:47:38 PM   
    hookedonrc



    Posts: 2181
    Joined: 12/30/2002
    From: Broken Arrow, OK, USA
    Status: offline     		jmiracle: I never really complained about the plane, but did post the comment about the wing dowels. Whether or not it affects performance is for someone else to determine. I have just begun to practice 3D and have no bias or knowledge. In fact, I stated that in my post about the wing dowels. Its just me suggesting a few improvements to keep the wing from coming off at an inopportune time or any time.

    OH...and another thing, a guy in the club that I fly with has one and has been flying it a little longer. The sheeting on the top is starting crack under the ultracote. We are both thinking about how to reinforce it. Either by putting CA on the underside, or a little fiberglass to keep it sturdy.

    Just trying to be helpful.

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    My signature would be much more clever than this, but it is all of the characters that I am allowed to post as a basic membe

    (in reply to YNOT)
           Post #: 35

    Re: Mine flys great - 7/24/2003 9:52:11 PM   
    Kyle300S



    Posts: 477
    Joined: 5/8/2003
    From: port orchard, WA, USA
    Status: offline     		Waterfalls were really really tight with spolierons. Mine will ke but not loop.

    Dan [/QUOTE]

    did you double bevel anything? i have not tryed a waterwall yet because i am having engine problems and wont even pull vertical.(my carb gets stuck and wont go past half throttle)

    i'm thinking to make it waterfall better people could try to make it a bit more tail heavy. i adjust my CG till it will do anything i want and still do good pattern flying.


    _____________________________

    Kyle Woyshnis
    www.kyle.macapple.com

    (in reply to YNOT)
           Post #: 36

    Flyn' the H9 Funtana Set up's and Mods - 7/24/2003 9:58:55 PM   
    jmiracle


     

    Posts: 592
    Joined: 5/13/2002
    From: Findlay, OH, USA
    Status: offline     		hookeonrc: I understand fully. I don't have any complaints about mine either.
    However I also realize no plane is perfect and that there's bound to be differences from one kit to another.
    I'm just trying to throw out some suggestions for others to see if we can't make it even better than it already is!
    The more we know what works and what doesn't, the better chance all of us have of improving how it flys. ....just my thought....

    One thing I've picked up from this thread that I haven't tried is using spoilerons during a waterfall. My Funtana doesn't do waterfalls very well, and maybe this will help. Next time I'm out, I'll give it a try and let everyone know what happens.

    (in reply to YNOT)
           Post #: 37

    Flyn' the H9 Funtana Set up's and Mods - 7/24/2003 10:02:26 PM   
    jmiracle


     

    Posts: 592
    Joined: 5/13/2002
    From: Findlay, OH, USA
    Status: offline     		Oh yea, and can you describe a little more where you noticed the sheeting cracking? Was it on the wing or the fuse?
    I'd like to know so I can keep an eye on mine in case mine starts to crack as well. Thanks.

    (in reply to YNOT)
           Post #: 38

    Re: Mine flys great - 7/24/2003 10:04:16 PM   
    tiggerinmk



    Posts: 1527
    Joined: 12/30/2002
    From: Milton Keynes, UNITED KINGDOM
    Status: offline     		[QUOTE]Originally posted by garydog
    I put 6 min epoxy around the holes accidently when I was building and now I really have to push the wing down to fit. Dan [/QUOTE]
    I binned my old bottles of 6 & 30 min epoxy before I started on the Funtana. I bought the 30 min Pacer Z-poxy to replace them. I don't bother with the 6 min stuff now. I'd hardly used the old 6 min bottles anyway.
    When I put the dowels in I coated the surface and painted over that front section with thinned down epoxy to fuel proof it. I've had no problems with the wing fit....

    _____________________________

    If you can remain calm, while all around you is chaos...
    then you probably haven't completely understood the seriousnes

    (in reply to YNOT)
           Post #: 39

    Flyn' the H9 Funtana Set up's and Mods - 7/24/2003 10:06:21 PM   
    Abraxxas



    Posts: 342
    Joined: 5/2/2003
    From: Plover, WI, USA
    Status: offline     		I noticed on the second trip to the field with mine last night that my wing dowels are loose as well, and I also found one helluva twist in my rudder! LOL So I flew it anyways seeing I was already out there, as I mentioned in a previous post I have the "drop-a-wing" issue while trying to harrier as well, and pulling out of some vertical stuff when going downwind but can to a popup just fine most of the time. I am eager to see how this flies with a straight rudder (shrunk the twist out with the covering no problem) and tighter wing. One thing I do have to say is this plane does the most beautiful inverted flat spins for a .40 sized airplane!! I can actually stop it in the air flat spinning not losing altitude and Im sure once I get used to it should be able to climb inverted while flat spinning Good thread going here about some the issues with this plane and everybodies ideas and methods of solving them.

    _____________________________

    "Hey, everybody land for a minute and shut your planes off, I have to call in sick..."
    It must be 8am at the

    (in reply to YNOT)
           Post #: 40

    Flyn' the H9 Funtana Set up's and Mods - 7/25/2003 12:52:15 AM   
    awat


     

    Posts: 224
    Joined: 2/25/2002
    Status: offline     		My wing dowls are just fine and I have flown mine over 30 times. I have no snapping as well. I used 30 min epoxy on the wing dowls. As far as being pitch sensitive I do not know. I just fly the plane and pull as much elevator I need doing a manuever. Mine will waterfall all day.

    _____________________________

    aw

    (in reply to YNOT)
           Post #: 41

    Flyn' the H9 Funtana Set up's and Mods - 7/25/2003 1:50:36 AM   
    hookedonrc



    Posts: 2181
    Joined: 12/30/2002
    From: Broken Arrow, OK, USA
    Status: offline     		jmiracle: On the cracking, if the plane is sitting upright, the cracks are beginning to appear from the firewall back to the cockpit. When inverted, it is from the firewall on the underneath the fuel tank and running along the bottom (top if it is right side up) back to the cockpit area. To get to the front, you would need to remove the tank and any foam that might be underneath. In the rest, it is already exposed from the throttle servo forward to the bulkhead where the wing dowels are inserted. I am considering using a brush and brushing on 5 min epoxy. I know this will add weight, but I am not sure what else to do. I will also strenghten the dowels and bulkhead area around the tank for the dowels.

    Just for the record, even if I can't get this plane to do everything, I still am impressed what it offers for the size and weight.

    _____________________________

    My signature would be much more clever than this, but it is all of the characters that I am allowed