Originally Posted by
Viper1GJ
Ok, I guess the best plan is to just stick with .7oz cloth for the best surface for fill and finishing and not smack the surface with anything.
Here is another question.
How would a 1/8" balsa sheet fuse side laminated on both sides with .7 oz cloth and epoxy resin compare with the same fuse side made from poplar light ply in weight and strength?
Is there any advantage to using the laminated balsa sandwich to plain light ply for strength and weight?
The better compromise between strength, stiffness, minimal hanger rash and minimal weight build up for moderate sized planes (2 meter size) is either a balsa/glass sandwich (slightly heavier) or an airex/herex foam / glass sandwich (lighter). The glass layers that work well for this size plane are 2 - 2 1/2 ounce on the outside and 1 1/2 on the inside. The balsa we use is sealed 1/32" 6 - 8 ounce stock; the Herex we use is 1-2 mm 2 pound density stock for an extremely light yet durable construction. Ding resistant but not ding proof