Don't be afraid to soak the sheeting. I did mine by edge-glueing pieces together and cutting to size with a paper templete. I then submerged the entire balsa sheet in a sink full of warm water for about 20 min. It wrapped right around the structure just like paper. I then used rubber bands to hold it in place for a day or so while it dried. When removed, it was almost a perfect fit to glue back on with tite-bond. You won't damage the balsa and will be amazed at what it will do.

I tried that and it didn't work. The joint broke and then I used the two pieces as my sceond method. I also soaked it for 30 min. in warm water. I have to finish sanding the TD to be rounded and then finish up the fairing blocks to be in tune with the TD. then I will be ready to get bucks pics, and start covering.
Karter

Use med-CA to edge glue the sheets - anything that is water soluable won't work.

I did use med CA. It still broke.

I ve also heard of soaking it in amonia instead of water. any one ever do that?

Yes. It stinks. Water works fine.

Water with a few drops of amonia. It tends to open/loosen the grain slightly. Then bend slowly while keeping wet. Be sure to bend along the grain obviously.

Hope to see those pictures soon, If anyone has pictures or can explain how to attach the vertical and horizontal stabilizers to the fuse that would be great. Also how to use the stab and fin triangular pieces.

To me this process seems really confusing. Thanks for the help again to everyone that has provided some info.

Ok buck, I've finally done everything I need to, so I will finish up the fairing blocks tomorrow morning and get started on the stab and fin. Also I will be at the beach next week so I wont be doing much then. I will write up a detailed report tomorrow afternoon.
Karter

I think I have it, the two horizontal trapezoid looking pieces and the one vertical trapezoid looking piece are for a guide to sand down the fairing block, but are not used in the final attachment of the horizontal stabilizer and the vertical stabilizer? Also do you just glue the stabilizers on the fuse?

theres actually two sets.You only need one.You CA them to gether like you would the fin and stab. Make sure the fin is centered and straight just like you would when mounting the actual one. Make sure you just take glue the stab section to the plane or it ll be a mess when you go to remove. Then you take glue the the wood stock in place and carefully carve it to a ruff shape.Then switch to 80 grit and sand it shape finishing it off with 220 grit or better. When you done, slide a razor inbetween popping them loose.And your done with the mock fin and stab.Pop thos loose the same way and you done. I believe that covers it.I m sure if I didin t someone will correct me and say it better.

Sorry about the major grammar and spelling. I was on the verge of a migraine and one of my symptoms are stroke like.I did not realize it, because everything looked normal to me at the time. It goes the same with speech.I think I m talking normal, but its all broken words and gibberish.

Buck, do you still need those pics then or are you good? I tried to post them yesterday morning but RCU had multiple errors so it would not let me post. I went through the whole process and took about 30 pics for you, but if you dont need them I'll just delete them. Also I did not actually glue my tail on to the plane because not all the pieces are ready. Tell me soon if you need them because otherwise I will just delete them as they filled up my camera card, and it would take me several hours to get them again.
Karter

Karter - you could just save them on the computer for a while if you need to use the card for something else.

I am good I think, I haven't had time to work on the plane though, should be able to get plenty of work on it this weekend since the wife has to work this weekend. I will let you know. Thanks again for the help and your time.

Hey everyone, I forgot to tell you that I'm going to the beach for a week so thats why I havent made any progress yet. So one of my friends had a laptop and theres free internet in our beach house so I decided to make a post. Well sofar after 3 days I have a sunburned nose a badly chafed chest, other badly chafed parts[sm=eek.gif]and still have several days left. I bet i'm having a more fun than you guys (). our house is really sweet!! I will check back later this week. Oh, also I rode 4 miles on the beach today. See yall later.
Karter

Edit: I must have short term memory loss! I was re-reading my posts and realised that I did tell you I'm going to the beach.[sm=bananahead.gif]

Ok, well I was sitting around and realised that nothing is fuel proofed! The tank cover is on so is every thing else in that area. I am unsure of how to proceed. By the way the tank is not in and neither is any foam. Hope yall had a good 4th of July!
Karter

Nice thing about brushes like these is that they can be bent to many different angles to reach into corners and taped onto extensions if needed to reach into compartments to spread epoxy to fuelproof an area.

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXE269&P=7

And they are cheap too.

Those look good. Sorry I havent been doing much lately but I've gotten kind of burned out on this project. And my summer has been extremely busy.I have only flown my nexstar 2 times since january. And my dad and I have been working like crazy to try and get our boat back in the water before summer is over. We have completely rewired the elictrical system and completely repainted and we had to do a lot of work on the engine. I have also spent a lot of time repairing my aunt and uncles lakehouse, which we have almost completely rebuilt, we tore off the deck and built a new one and we are ripping off the dock and building a new one. So as you can see I have been busy lately. And on top of it all I broke my toe on sunday I just need some rest. I will be home schooled this year though so I will have time to work on my plane after school starts.
Karter

Don't worry about it. These times with your dad and family are going to be the ones you remember and treasure when you get older. I wish I had gotten to spend more time with my father before he passed away. Make sure your mom gets some pictures of you and your dad working on all this stuff to help jog your memory when you get older like some of us.

Hey i'm back! I started yesterday and began with putting triangle stock on the rudder. I then hinged the rudder ( but didn't glue it on) and sanded one side with 80 and 220 grit. I will be sanding the whole airframe with these grits and the moving up to 320, 400, 520 and 600. After that it would be the same as rubbing the plane with a piece of printer paper so I'll do that to .I then decided to practice covering on the messed up aileron that I sanded to much(see post 122) I just covered the end with white as that is the color I will be using the least. I will post pics later.
Grey

Here's the pics the fourth and fifth are me correcting the elevators ( they were way off see post 150-160) I separated them and re glued one side so they are straight, also here are the pics of my first covering job ever! This aileron was completly unsanded unfinish and all that! Please truthfully tell me how it looks. Be brutal!I know that many people don't like covering but I like it a lot!
Karter

Covering doesn't look too bad. Camera work needs some improvement though . Most pictures too blurry to evaluate.

Well you see, the blurriness wasn't my fault, I took the pictures during an earthquake! I will try and get better pics with the tripod. Also if you look at the pics you can see that the camera focused on the room instead of the aileron. I will get some pics up later today after I hinge the elevator of the whole plane with wings, control surfaces and all that stuff. I am really getting close to finishing this plane up. All I have to do is fuelproff the tank/engine area, hinge the control surfaces, drill the holes for the servos, mount the control horns, fill and sand the whole plane, cover the plane , cut the canopy, glue and cover the wheel pants, and I think thats it. I need some ideas for the wheel pants. I'll put up a blank 3-view of the pants and people can modify them if they have any ideas.
Karter

I'm not all that savvy on digi cameras but there should be a way to force the camera to focus on what you want it to. Maybe a "macro" mode or like when taking "closeups". Drag out the manual for the camera.