I had the oddest thing happen this evening while working on my Avistar. The wheel collars where being a pain to get on, so I was taking a hammer and tapping them to get them on the axle. I started hearing funny sounds from the tail section and low an behold my vertical stab came off. Good thing it was not in the air. It was like the epoxy I put on it was hardly there. So I ruffed up the sides and packed it full and put it back in. It was just hard to get exact on being vertical with the plane with all the tail surfaces installed. I hope it bonds better this time. I used a different brand epoxy. Now I am worried about my FuntanaS. I used the other tube on it as well. Maybe the banging on the wheel collar just shook it loose.

did you notice if the glue surface was shiney or dull before sanding? If it was shiney... it had never been in contact with the opposing surface. (usually why an poxy joint fails... no contact.)

It was dull. Not as if it had an expoy glaze on it. No crusting on it either. And I used a lot of epoxy on it when I put it in. And it did push epoxy out of the joint when I put it in also.

You sound like you have experience, but you weren't trying to epoxy it to covering were you?
Dennis-

banging on it with a hammer???? LOL sorry man, i had to chuckle at that one. but i seen that alot.. what i do is put a bunch in the slot, coat the stab with it, put it in, make sure its vertical, tape it vertical, and turn it upside down so the epoxy oozes to the joint.

This is what it sounds like to me. The covering was not removed where it sits in the tail. Makes you wonder about the horz stab now, don't it?

Is it possible for you to post some pics?

Gary

Too late for pictures, its all glued back together. No I removed the covering from the both stab's, so it was not that. This is the first time I have ever personally seen an epoxy joint let go. But this time I put half of the Devcon syringe load inside, forgot to mention I mixxed it first lol. The good two ton stuff. I dare it to come out this time. The first time I used Locktite brand, one I do not usually use. I did take a little extra covering off around the outside of the fus. section in the joint. Now I need to pick up a little white Monokote and seal around and also I want to put some over the end of the vert. stab. Extra insurance that air will not get up under it and rip it loose. Besides with the OS 46 AX it will need a little tail weight.

Graup. you know the old saying "if it doesn't work just get a bigger hammer". LOL I lubed the axles with dish soap and the collars would not go on. I even tried a different set of collars and those would not slide on as well. I think when I ditch the foam wheels and pick up some good dubro rubber I will take the dremel and ever so slightly take a little off the axle at the tip. It seems to have ballooned up a little. Once I get over the hump, they slide OK. And also love the avatar. I still have my #1 addition of the Transformers comic when it was released in the early to mid 80's. And enjoyed the show a lot.

I am also going to install dubro safety horns with the sliding lock on the end. Has anyone used these and do they work well?

i wish i wasnt such a ******* of a kid... i could still have all that cool stuff..[] parents should have beat me .LOL the hammer thing is all in fun.. i know all about it.. sanding sucks, so i just tap them on too.[X(] * i dont like those clevises.. i have seen some bind up.. i dont use them, but a friend did .. didnt really examine them just told him to get regular ones.. thats what a preflight is for.. check them, and youll be good.