Foam in floats?
 

Hi everyone!

I have a plan for a scale floats plane (RV-6F) and in the plan it says that I need to use foam floats that are covered in balsa, my question is that I have to use foam as core for the floats? Or can I just make it from balsa covered with fiberglass?

RE: Foam in floats?
 

You can make them from Balsa and/or plywood. Hollow floats make a real handy place to store water.
If you DO make hollow floats, waterproof them inside and out, and put drain plugs in them so you can get the water back out.

Styrofoam floats can never fill with water and sink, even if the covering leaks. The balsa may get soggy and mildewed, but it can be repaired. Styrofoam floats covered with balsa tend to be lighter than all-wood floats, too.

RE: Foam in floats?
 

Ok, so I’ll try to do it with foam.
But someone can explain to me how to do it?
I knew how to cut wings from foam but those floats seem really hard to make.
So here’s a picture of the plane… how can I build the floats?



[link=http://www.geocities.com/hagay111/RC/s.htm]pic[/link]

RE: Foam in floats?
 

If you've cut wings from foam then you already know how to use a hot wire. I've been making some and the process I used was to cut out a block to the max width/heigth dimensions, then use templates to draw the tapers on it, then use a smaller bow to cut away more of that. You could also use a bandsaw to cut these away, I've seen that done very successfully for another project. After that start sanding until you have the final shape you want...

- Zep

RE: Foam in floats?
 

thanks

RE: Foam in floats?
 

For some resources on foam float building have a look under "construction" at [link]http://rcalbum.rchomepage.com/Home.html[/link]

RE: Foam in floats?
 

Thanks!!! That is exactly what I need.