Gerhard:

What I do is use holes drilled through the surfaces. Start the cord from the vertial fin, through one side of the horizxontal stab, through a hole drilled in the lower fuselage, up through the other side of the horizontal stab, then back through the first hole in the vertical stab.

Then, since the two free ends come out opposite sides of the same hole in the vertical stab it's easy to clamp one end, and pull the other to tighten the entire loop.

While holding the tension, put some CA on both sides where the cord goes through the vertical fin. This tightens all four free runs of the cord.

Next, sighting the horizontal and vertical stabs, with the cord not locked anywhere else minor corrections in alignment can still be made.

Finally, put CA on the cord through the horizontal stab, and where it goes through the lower fuselage, both sides, top and bottom. Use plenty, it has to harden the wood too, remember. Then trim the loose ends. You're finished.

Further note: Keep the holes as small as possible, and to help thread the cord through the holes stiffen about an inch of the cord with CA before threading it through. The stiffened part will need to be long enough to push it through the lower fuselage, this length will be cut off after it's all glued in place.

You might also want to have the start and finish at the sides of the lower fuselage for a neater appearance. Pulling the cord tight just seems to be easier with the ends in the vertical stab.

Joe:

If done in initial construction the dowel reinforcement is desired, if using a bolted attachment it is all but required. Using the Aramid cord it's not necessary, and the CA hardens the balsa very well.

If the Sig you are talking about is the Somethin' Extra, that is a metal wire, bolted through. And it does have the dowel reinforcements you mentioned.

Bill.