Make glue-on canopy removable
01-05-2012 | 11:16 AM
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Make glue-on canopy removable
The cockpit of my Pulse 125 is a convenient access point for the servo leads in the inverted tray just beneath it...
... so I would like to retain access if possible.
However, the canopy provided with this plane is the glue-on type. I've set the canopy on the airframe before and it flares outward at the bottom edge - that would have to be corrected (somehow).
I've thought of...
Do you have another suggestion - I'd love to hear it!
... so I would like to retain access if possible.
However, the canopy provided with this plane is the glue-on type. I've set the canopy on the airframe before and it flares outward at the bottom edge - that would have to be corrected (somehow).
I've thought of...
- trying to reform the canopy edges inward with a heat gun, but the compound curves may make that difficult to do by hand.
- attaching the canopy along the bottom with servo mounting screws, but I'm worried that the flared bottom edge would cause a scalloped effect.
- painting the inside of the bottom edge of the canopy with magnetic paint and embedding small rare-earth magnets along the rim of the cockpit but I'm not sure it would be secure at speed - and there might still be a scalloped effect.
Do you have another suggestion - I'd love to hear it!
01-05-2012 | 11:49 AM
#3
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From: Poolesville, MD
RE: Make glue-on canopy removable
Don't be tempted to screw in the canopy directly... it WILL deform over time if you do.
If you go with something like cap screws or wood screws, I highly suggest getting the smallest grommets you can find. ( Grommets work much better than fuel tubing for this... )
Make a small hole where the grommet will go using a Dremel stone pointed tip bit. This will smooth the hole edges without causing any cracks.
Widen the hole to just under the diameter of the grommet and slide the grommet in place.
You can also use a servo collar ( supplied with most servo mounts ) within the grommet.
Then put the screw or cap screw through the grommet using a washer.
The screw should push the grommet out a bit as it tightens fixing the canopy in place.
There will be just enough give on the grommets to prevent warping over time.
The downside will be that the canopy will be held a bit higher than the airframe, though this may be slight enough that you will not care.
The same technique works well for affixing cowls.
If you go with something like cap screws or wood screws, I highly suggest getting the smallest grommets you can find. ( Grommets work much better than fuel tubing for this... )
Make a small hole where the grommet will go using a Dremel stone pointed tip bit. This will smooth the hole edges without causing any cracks.
Widen the hole to just under the diameter of the grommet and slide the grommet in place.
You can also use a servo collar ( supplied with most servo mounts ) within the grommet.
Then put the screw or cap screw through the grommet using a washer.
The screw should push the grommet out a bit as it tightens fixing the canopy in place.
There will be just enough give on the grommets to prevent warping over time.
The downside will be that the canopy will be held a bit higher than the airframe, though this may be slight enough that you will not care.
The same technique works well for affixing cowls.
01-05-2012 | 07:24 PM
#6
Thread Starter
Senior Member
RE: Make glue-on canopy removable
Thanks for the tips, everyone. After another look today I see that the canopy edge doesn't flare out as much as I originally thought.
I'm following your advice pretty closely, except for two things. First, I drilled the holes with a finger-twisted brad-point drill bit instead of a Dremel stone. Second, I cut the grommets with a razor blade, leaving one end and the centre section:
Much appreciated!
ORIGINAL: opjose
Don't be tempted to screw in the canopy directly... it WILL deform over time if you do.
If you go with something like cap screws or wood screws, I highly suggest getting the smallest grommets you can find. ( Grommets work much better than fuel tubing for this... )
Make a small hole where the grommet will go using a Dremel stone pointed tip bit. This will smooth the hole edges without causing any cracks.
Widen the hole to just under the diameter of the grommet and slide the grommet in place.
You can also use a servo collar ( supplied with most servo mounts ) within the grommet.
Then put the screw or cap screw through the grommet using a washer.
The screw should push the grommet out a bit as it tightens fixing the canopy in place.
There will be just enough give on the grommets to prevent warping over time.
The downside will be that the canopy will be held a bit higher than the airframe, though this may be slight enough that you will not care.
The same technique works well for affixing cowls.
Don't be tempted to screw in the canopy directly... it WILL deform over time if you do.
If you go with something like cap screws or wood screws, I highly suggest getting the smallest grommets you can find. ( Grommets work much better than fuel tubing for this... )
Make a small hole where the grommet will go using a Dremel stone pointed tip bit. This will smooth the hole edges without causing any cracks.
Widen the hole to just under the diameter of the grommet and slide the grommet in place.
You can also use a servo collar ( supplied with most servo mounts ) within the grommet.
Then put the screw or cap screw through the grommet using a washer.
The screw should push the grommet out a bit as it tightens fixing the canopy in place.
There will be just enough give on the grommets to prevent warping over time.
The downside will be that the canopy will be held a bit higher than the airframe, though this may be slight enough that you will not care.
The same technique works well for affixing cowls.
Much appreciated!
01-06-2012 | 05:41 AM
#7
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From: Tullahoma, TN
RE: Make glue-on canopy removable
I painted the inside of mine silver and put it on with screws. (just in case)
Still as good as new after a summer of flying. Just sayin'.. Brian
ORIGINAL: grosbeak
The cockpit of my Pulse 125 is a convenient access point for the servo leads in the inverted tray just beneath it...
... so I would like to retain access if possible.
However, the canopy provided with this plane is the glue-on type. I've set the canopy on the airframe before and it flares outward at the bottom edge - that would have to be corrected (somehow).
I've thought of...
Do you have another suggestion - I'd love to hear it!
The cockpit of my Pulse 125 is a convenient access point for the servo leads in the inverted tray just beneath it...
... so I would like to retain access if possible.
However, the canopy provided with this plane is the glue-on type. I've set the canopy on the airframe before and it flares outward at the bottom edge - that would have to be corrected (somehow).
I've thought of...
- trying to reform the canopy edges inward with a heat gun, but the compound curves may make that difficult to do by hand.
- attaching the canopy along the bottom with servo mounting screws, but I'm worried that the flared bottom edge would cause a scalloped effect.
- painting the inside of the bottom edge of the canopy with magnetic paint and embedding small rare-earth magnets along the rim of the cockpit but I'm not sure it would be secure at speed - and there might still be a scalloped effect.
Do you have another suggestion - I'd love to hear it!
01-06-2012 | 01:36 PM
#8
RE: Make glue-on canopy removable
Cut and glue a "frame" on the canopy. Does not have to be one piece. Then screw through the framework to your fuse. Should take care of the scalloping. Look at some full size planes to get an idea of what it should look like. Some thin ply or plastic sheet can be used. Will give it a custom in the process!
01-07-2012 | 08:23 PM
#9
Thread Starter
Senior Member
RE: Make glue-on canopy removable
Because this is just-in-case access, I went with the screws and reduced grommets. I'm very pleased with the results.
01-07-2012 | 08:34 PM
#11
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From: Tullahoma, TN
RE: Make glue-on canopy removable
Looks great as does the rest of your work.. Brian
ORIGINAL: grosbeak
Because this is just-in-case access, I went with the screws and reduced grommets. I'm very pleased with the results.
Because this is just-in-case access, I went with the screws and reduced grommets. I'm very pleased with the results.
01-09-2012 | 08:29 AM
#12
Thread Starter
Senior Member
RE: Make glue-on canopy removable
ORIGINAL: rye
hey she looks great where did u get the grommets?
hey she looks great where did u get the grommets?
ORIGINAL: Brian Smith
Looks great as does the rest of your work.. Brian
Looks great as does the rest of your work.. Brian
