Covering tight corners, how to?
 

How do you get a smooth covering at joints like where the horz. stab. meets the fus? I'm refering to those 90 degrees joints. I have tried to work a thin strip of covering around the joint but it always wrinkles. I have also covered one surface and butted the other surface close but there is always a small gap right at the leading edge and fus.

Any advice or tricks would be appreciated.

Thanks

RE: Covering tight corners, how to?
 

I cut thin (3/16-1/4") strips, that are about 4" longer than the joint. I then fold the strips lengthwise to create a crease. I iron the strip down to the stab and fuse, starting at the back where there is less curve to deal with, then using the extra length to pull the strip tight, I iron it down around the leading edge. I cover the fuse and stab with seperate peices. It's a lot easier to do with Ultracote than Monokote.

RE: Covering tight corners, how to?
 

One way is to put a strip on each side before actually installing. For example on the horizontal stabilizer put it in place and then mark where it fit. Pull it out and put a small piece of monokote on. You also put monokote around the fuselage too where the stabilizer goes in. Then install the stabilizer and epoxy from the inside. You have to make sure you that your epoxy sticks to the wood and not just to monokote. But that way you have a clean monokte edge.

One other thing is to be sure to use a trim iron and not a regular one.

RE: Covering tight corners, how to?
 

Hi!
You cover them separately! Then glue them in.

Regards!
Jan K
Sweden

RE: Covering tight corners, how to?
 

jaka,
thanks, that is a great trick I will use on my next build!

RE: Covering tight corners, how to?
 

I use a strip of monokote, about 3/8" wide, fold it in half along it's legnth, then iron that into the stab-fuse joint. The covering on the stab and fuse would then go on top of the strip. With regard to the leading edge of the stab, where it joins the fuse, I take a small legnth of the 3/8" strip and make a series of cuts, leaving 1/16" tabs or ears on either side of the center fold. You need a trim iron to iron the tabs down one at a time over this portion of the joint. I usually do this part first.

peter