i have a phoenix models extra 330s and i am about to install the cowl and i am just curious of what techniques you guys can offer to cut the cowl and make it fit beautiful. gotta look good ya know. :-) i have all the tools to cut the cowl i have cut 4 different ones before but they always look bad so i am just looking for the best recommendations

thanks in advance

Joshua

i always use clear binder page protectors to tape on the fuse to mark my positions to cut then with the cowl on at the right depth start with a small mark and cut on the cowl to see just how perfect the mark was and just start from there.......and i know you have a dremel

thanks for the good info. i am going to try that tomorrow.


thanks

Joshua,

I use file folders. I mount everything but the cowl then cut the file folder and tape it to the fuse side so the "flappy" part is overlapping the engine (and whatever else is sticking out). Now I use some scissors (Exacto, etc.) and carefully cut where the protruding object is. I trim until I have the fit I am looking for.

Now, fold back the folder out of the way, remove the engine and muffler. Now install the cowl. Flip the folder back into position and trace your cut-out onto the cowl. I then use my moto-tool to cut the holes.

Simple, EXACT, and you get a good looking, tight install every time. Hope this helps you !

CJ

CJ, That's a great tip! I'm at the point where I need to do the cowl of my Dragon Lady pretty quick here, & I've been kind of dreading it, because the rest of plane has come out SO CLEAN & I wasn't really sure how I was gonna pull off the cowl this time. The only other cowl I have done is from a World Models Cap 232 46R & it came with a 2-piece clear cowl to use for a template on the painted fiberglass cowl. Thank you for solving my dilemma.

Gary, Very nice. That's a clean looking job!

I also use the file folder method to mark the location of the needle valve, muffler, cylinder head, cowl mounting holes, etc...

Richard,

Exactly ! Been doing it this way for years...works every time.

Now what aggrevates me is this...I get the paper from the folder positioned just right, tape it to the fuse...make my cuts...bend the paper back..."lets put the cowl on"..."wha ?"..."doh !" I didn't leave enough room to get the cowl on where I taped the paper to the fuse ! GRRRRRRRRRR ! LOL

Seriously, this is the only thing that has "bitten" me in the past with this method. It works well, but you gotta plan ahead, a little anyway LOL

Glad it helped some and thanks to Richard for taking the pictures !

CJ