LE CRUSHER! (Simple Rounded LE Jig)
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LE CRUSHER! (Simple Rounded LE Jig)
I know, I know, a sharp, folded, creased, leading edge fly's just as good as a nice rounded one. A sharp one is easy to do and strong. I know.
With that said it still just bugged me. An airplane is supposed to have a rounded LE! If you agree here's the jig I built and used to get nice, straight, even rounded edges without much ado.
Step 1: Mark and cut Coro
Step 2: Lay Coro over Die Groove so the LE mark is centered on the groove.
Step 3: Heat Coro along LE mark with heat gun.
Step 4: CRUSH! Allow to cool . . . . .
Here's a link to the plans:http://leogreene.mystarband.net/Pics_02-03/le_press.pdf
Plastic's Cool!
With that said it still just bugged me. An airplane is supposed to have a rounded LE! If you agree here's the jig I built and used to get nice, straight, even rounded edges without much ado.
Step 1: Mark and cut Coro
Step 2: Lay Coro over Die Groove so the LE mark is centered on the groove.
Step 3: Heat Coro along LE mark with heat gun.
Step 4: CRUSH! Allow to cool . . . . .
Here's a link to the plans:http://leogreene.mystarband.net/Pics_02-03/le_press.pdf
Plastic's Cool!
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LE CRUSHER! (Simple Rounded LE Jig)
Ross,
I usually heat only one side, the inside, the side facing up . . . .
Though I have crushed them cold . . . . It's just harder to do.
I heat it until it's soft, that's all, you don't want the flutes to deform.
Most times I use 2mil but it works equally well with 4
I usually heat only one side, the inside, the side facing up . . . .
Though I have crushed them cold . . . . It's just harder to do.
I heat it until it's soft, that's all, you don't want the flutes to deform.
Most times I use 2mil but it works equally well with 4
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LE CRUSHER! (Simple Rounded LE Jig)
CapnG;
How did you make the 1/2" circular groove in the 2 x 4 that the coroplast gets molded into ?
This would have to be perfectly straight and level for the wing to be made.
Thanks
Cary
How did you make the 1/2" circular groove in the 2 x 4 that the coroplast gets molded into ?
This would have to be perfectly straight and level for the wing to be made.
Thanks
Cary
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LE CRUSHER! (Simple Rounded LE Jig)
1/2" round router bit I bet - that's what I'd use, anyway. Some time ago, I posted a picture on the other Spad board about slitting 4 to6 flutes at the LE, then squeezing some poly glue into the flutes that are slit. You can adjust the LE roundness (size) by weighing down the top surface at different locations. Get the LE bent to the shape you want and leave it alone for 5 hours.
: This will give you a round, hard LE that will take quite a smack.:^)
: This will give you a round, hard LE that will take quite a smack.:^)
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LE CRUSHER! (Simple Rounded LE Jig)
Right you are Daryl, 1/2 inch router bit! Don't try to take it all in one cut though. A bunch of little cuts, each one deeper than the last works great!
First wing I did with it I actually glued the dowel to the coro. I found however that the coro holds the shape very well without it. If you want the extra strength glue an arrow shaft after the crush!
First wing I did with it I actually glued the dowel to the coro. I found however that the coro holds the shape very well without it. If you want the extra strength glue an arrow shaft after the crush!
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LE CRUSHER! (Simple Rounded LE Jig)
How about a larger diameter, say 3/4" to 1"? If you could find a router bit that big, that is. The reason I ask, is for a fun-fly wing with the thick airfoil and rounded le. I would think it might be easier to crush, since it's more of a radius.....???????
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LE CRUSHER! (Simple Rounded LE Jig)
So far the only wings I've made were of 2mil. I've done some test crushes on 4mil and they seem to work great too! Once the flute crushes the resultant thickness is about the same.
I've only got one 1/2 inch round router bit so I've not tried a larger size. I do think it would work just fine though. For the LE of my LawnDart.Bat, I crushed it with the 1/2 inch die then worked it with some heat over a 1 inch dowel. (should have went out and got the bigger bit!)
Take a look at the pdf plans link in the first post of this thread and modify accordingly.
I've only got one 1/2 inch round router bit so I've not tried a larger size. I do think it would work just fine though. For the LE of my LawnDart.Bat, I crushed it with the 1/2 inch die then worked it with some heat over a 1 inch dowel. (should have went out and got the bigger bit!)
Take a look at the pdf plans link in the first post of this thread and modify accordingly.
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LE CRUSHER! (Simple Rounded LE Jig)
Pjtg0707: The coro ribs at the ends I'd call caps. They cover the wing ends and the spar thats inside . . . . It's a tapered spar.
I'd recommend caps on the ens of wings for all SPADs. The cap adds tremendous tensional (twisting) stiffness, they keep the foil shape at the tips, as well as reduce drag. (They also look sharp and keep the dirt out)
I'd recommend caps on the ens of wings for all SPADs. The cap adds tremendous tensional (twisting) stiffness, they keep the foil shape at the tips, as well as reduce drag. (They also look sharp and keep the dirt out)