This is a question for RCKen regarding his thread on the LT-40 build. I apologize if I am asking this in the wrong place, but I just need to ask. At the beginning of the covering portion of the thread, you say to start the covering at the back of the plane so as to not have a covering edge that faces the front of the plane. I get that part, it makes sense to me. And I saw and like the part about sealing the gaps. So post # 683 deals with covering ailerons. I think I understand the way you describe sealing the inside edge. I have copied and pasted the picture descriptions below. So my question is: do you end up with the "inside edge" of the covering facing the front of the plane? Is the "inside edge" tucked down in the "V" grove between the aileron and the trailing edge?

4. Pull the covering in the middle so it lines up with the inside edge of the aileron.
5. Tack along the inside edge.
6. Tack the covering all along the inside edge of the covering.

Please understand that I am not questioning HOW it's done. I am just a little confused, and not sure how this looks when it's completed. I am trying to learn as much as I can. I wish I had read the LT 40 thread before I put together my 3 ARF's. There is so much good info in there. I also re-covered my Nexstar. It came out OK, but could have been better. My son and I are looking forward to building our first kit after Christmas. If it turns out as good as I think it will, I may never do an ARF again.
Thanks,
Pete

I can answer this one for you. Idealy, you want to keep the seal within the bevel area. But realisticly, if the covering comes outside of the area it's no big deal. True, you will have a seam facing the airflow, but that is not the end of the world.

While you want to avoid having seams facing the airflow, there are times when it's just not avoidable. Also, it's a lot more critical if the top covering of your wing comes off than a small strip that is sealing the gap.

Also worth pointing out is that if this is a trainer, or even an intermediate trainer, sealing the gap is really not important unless you happen to have a huge gap.

Mesaflyer,
I don't mind questions at all. You are correct in that if you actually fold over the aileron covering and seal it inside the gap will give a more durable covering job. I didn't show it in the LT-40 build because it's not always possible to do that on every plane. Does that help??

Ken

Beat ya

Yeah, by a whole 52 seconds!!!! [:'(]

Ken

But I had to draw that nice diagram first!

I was eating coffee cake (homemade by my wife) and sipping on a cappuccino!!!! Gotta keep my priorities straight!!!!

Ken

Thanks Ken and MinnFlyer. Yes it helps, you guys are always a great help. So I was just wondering. Can start at the rear of the wing and cover the aileron first, then cover the gap with the small strip, and then cover the wing? Wish I could draw a picture. Would that work, or would that small strip be prone to pulling loose? Not trying to build a better mouse trap, just asking questions from guys that know the answers.
My son and I am planning on building a Tiger 60 (his Christmas present, so he doesn't know yet). I don't think we will have too many questions with the build. But after covering my Nexstar, watching Minn's covering videos, and reading the LT 40 build (wish I had done that in the reverse order!), I want to try sealing the gaps on the Tiger. I also just discovered a broken CA hinge on my Pulse XT aileron. I replaced all the hinges on both ailerons with the Du-bro pinned hinges (that was pretty easy). I am thinking maybe next year I will re-cover my Pulse before I cover the Tiger to give me more practice, and to change the color scheme. With the pinned hinges, I was not planning on removing the ailerons to cover them.
Thanks again,
Pete

Hey RCKEN - Got Snow?[X(]

Mesaflyer,
I prefer to cover the gaps first and then put down the covering on the aileron and wings. This will help secure the covering in the gap.

Ken

No, are you getting any up your way??

Ken

North of Enid 3 mi from state line. just 1" so far calling for 3 to 4 more. but the wind is blowing hard 30 gusting to 45 mph.

We're not getting anything but cold and wind down here. It's supposed to drizzle or light flurries this afternoon, but nothing sticking to the ground.

Ken

OK, I kinda thought that was best.
And by the way, it will get to about 65 today with no snow (except in the mountains). Great weather here in SoCal, just too many flippin people and too many flippin cars!!!!!!!

OK, I kinda thought that was best.
And by the way, it will get to about 65 today with no snow (except in the mountains). Great weather here in SoCal, just too many flippin people and too many flippin cars!!!!!!!
[/quote]



65---that just don't seem right.[X(]

Heck, it was 72° here yesterday!!!!

Ken

Ok, Ken and I agree on just about everything, but if he were here right now, I'd dope-slap him.

Doing it his way means hinging the ailerons before covering them. You'd be nuts to try to cover a wing and/or aileron AFTER they are hinged.

Nope, nope, nope, nope!

Cover them first, THEN hinge them on, THEN seal the gap (If indeed you feel that sealing the gap is necessary - I usually don't)

Minn,
We definitely do agree. And I admit that I do it differently than most. But I usually do hinge the control surfaces before I cover. It's just what I prefer doing. I don't hassle anybody that wants to do the other way because I do know that sometimes the way I do it is a little bit more work. It's just what I prefer to do.

Ken

Well, to each his own, but 2HI2C, I would strongly recommend covering them first, then hinging.

Hey Minn,
I think you were directing that to me, Mesaflyer. Anyway, when I recovered my Nexstar, I did the ailerons seperatly, and then installed them. That was pretty easy. Than I read the part about sealing the gaps which seemed like a good idea. One of the reasons I brought it up was because I replaced the hinges on my Pulse with pinned hinges. Which it appears to be a problem removing the pinned hinges if i want to re-cover it. ANYWAY, I'll cross that bridge when I get to it. Didn't mean to drag this out, just wanted some ideas and thoughts. I'm still very new, and always trying to learn new things. I will useally do a search on here first and read up as much as possible before I ask too many questions. Your guys help is priceless. The LT 40 build has shed a whole new light on this hobby for me.
Thanks again,
Pete

P.S.
It's currently 72 degrees with no wind! I wish I were out flying. But spending time with the family and friends for the next three days, which is also priceless.

I usually cover the aileron & the TE of the wing. Hing the ailerons then cover the wing & gap. Been doing it that way for lots of years. Isn't if funny how we all think our way is best.

Different is sometimes good. I run a strip of covering around the LE and tips of my controls then hinge them. I cover the bottom of my wings and stab in one sheet and close up the gap then do the same to the top so there are no hinge gaps at all except on the rudder. Sometimes I do that the same way too.
Even on planes that don't need the gaps sealed I do it just for the clean up after A day at the field.
No snow here either!!

That was something I was going to mention...

If you hinge first, I would at least cover the LE and edges of the ailerons, and the TE and any inside corners where the aileron meets the TE (See pic) Because once the surfaces are in place those places would be very difficult, if not impossible to cover.

I totally agree. This is what I do before I hinge my control surfaces.

Ken

Minn, that is one of the coolest programs for drawing things out like that!! Even if I had it I would never be able to figure out how to use it though.
Yep, by doing it that way with about A 1/4 inch over lap along the edges when you cover the surfaces the covering sticks onto itself so well it's hard to remove if you ever have to lift the covering again. Once down it stays down.