Anyone have tricks for beveling ailerons
11-03-2008, 09:52 AM
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Anyone have tricks for beveling ailerons
How do you all bevel the ailerons, rudder and elevator to get the V-edge on them. I have been taking a block with sandpaper and doing it that way. It is hard to keep it uniform. Is there a tool or something to help with that.
11-03-2008, 10:00 AM
#2
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RE: Anyone have tricks for beveling ailerons
I sand them using a angle template to get my angle, then just sand trying to keep my strokes straight. I have read where guys will remove the LE of a control surface and glue tri stock to it, thus negating any need to sand.
11-03-2008, 10:21 AM
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RE: Anyone have tricks for beveling ailerons
ORIGINAL: Gray Beard
I use A center line tool then use my hand held electric sander. I have been doing it this way for A lot of years so I don't mess up very often.
On A scratch build I often use the angled stock.
I use A center line tool then use my hand held electric sander. I have been doing it this way for A lot of years so I don't mess up very often.
On A scratch build I often use the angled stock.
I guess I do it about the same way only I don't use the electric seems pretty aggressive. Are you using a orbital sander or inline.
11-03-2008, 10:49 AM
#5
RE: Anyone have tricks for beveling ailerons
This really isn't hard at all. The trick is knowing when to stop 
What I do is: Lay the aileron flat on your table. Get a pen that has straight sides and lay it on the table too. Most pens are just the right height for a standard aileron or elevator, but you can lay a few pieces of paper or cards under either one if need be.
You don't want the pen to be perfectly in the center, just close.
Now holding the pen flat against the table, draw a line on the LE.
Flip the aileron stock and repeat.
You now have two parallel lines on the LE
Hold the aileron on the edge of your workbench, and hold your sanding block at an angle and sand until you reach the top line.
Flip it over and sand the other side the same way.
I think Ken and I demonstrated this in our "Getting Airborne" videos.
What I do is: Lay the aileron flat on your table. Get a pen that has straight sides and lay it on the table too. Most pens are just the right height for a standard aileron or elevator, but you can lay a few pieces of paper or cards under either one if need be.
You don't want the pen to be perfectly in the center, just close.
Now holding the pen flat against the table, draw a line on the LE.
Flip the aileron stock and repeat.
You now have two parallel lines on the LE
Hold the aileron on the edge of your workbench, and hold your sanding block at an angle and sand until you reach the top line.
Flip it over and sand the other side the same way.
I think Ken and I demonstrated this in our "Getting Airborne" videos.
11-03-2008, 11:41 AM
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RE: Anyone have tricks for beveling ailerons
WOW!!! to much coffee. I don't know what I was thinking when I said LE and TE. You are correct and I humbly beg your forgiveness.
11-03-2008, 11:51 AM
#9
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RE: Anyone have tricks for beveling ailerons
You can sand, plane, or you can glue. I've taken the later route. Glue the long side of a stick of tri stock on the flat edge of the aileron. Chose one that will extend just slightly. You may have use a different demention stock for the LE to accomidate the extra wood of the tri stock. It gives you a razor sharp edge and actually the glue re-enforces the LE a bit. I use Tight Bond as it make it easer to cut the hinge pockets.
Don
Don
11-03-2008, 01:51 PM
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RE: Anyone have tricks for beveling ailerons
ORIGINAL: cold_reboot
I just use the Great Planes Multi Sander that has the bevel angle in it..... does both sides at once...pretty simple.
I just use the Great Planes Multi Sander that has the bevel angle in it..... does both sides at once...pretty simple.
How do you get the sandpaper in the V-groove. I have one that someone gave me, but I have never used it. I think it had 2 or 3 different profiles that you can do.
11-03-2008, 02:27 PM
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RE: Anyone have tricks for beveling ailerons
They sell adhesive backed sandpaper for the GP Sanders in all kinds of grit, just sticks right on. Got mine from the LHS.
Edit: Should be three profiles, one large round for wing LE, one small round for tail feathers LE, and the Bevel. Easiest way I've found of sanding the bevel and know when to quit is to cut the length of Sandpaper I need, split it down the center into two strips then stick the paper to either side of the bevel leaving a small gap at the center point of the bevel where it's bare metal... || <about that wide a gap. When you bevel the edges far enough that the wood hits that gap in the center where there is no sandpaper it stops sanding itself pretty much, keeps the LE bevel straight across the length of the thing I'm beveling, so I don't end up with bumps and low spots where I've either not sanded enough, or too much.
Edit: Should be three profiles, one large round for wing LE, one small round for tail feathers LE, and the Bevel. Easiest way I've found of sanding the bevel and know when to quit is to cut the length of Sandpaper I need, split it down the center into two strips then stick the paper to either side of the bevel leaving a small gap at the center point of the bevel where it's bare metal... || <about that wide a gap. When you bevel the edges far enough that the wood hits that gap in the center where there is no sandpaper it stops sanding itself pretty much, keeps the LE bevel straight across the length of the thing I'm beveling, so I don't end up with bumps and low spots where I've either not sanded enough, or too much.
11-03-2008, 02:33 PM
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RE: Anyone have tricks for beveling ailerons
What do you do crease it so it will go down in the V-groove. Mine has a V-groove, 2 different sizes for leading edge. One is about 3/8' and the other approx. 3/4" width.
11-03-2008, 02:45 PM
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RE: Anyone have tricks for beveling ailerons
See above . If you look at the third picture Minn posted above you will come out with the same shape, i.e. the center leading edge will still be flat as shown in the picture.
. If you look at the third picture Minn posted above you will come out with the same shape, i.e. the center leading edge will still be flat as shown in the picture.
11-03-2008, 05:05 PM
#16
RE: Anyone have tricks for beveling ailerons
Depending on the thickness/length of the stock involved, and if its tapered or not (from root to tip), I usually use sandpaper on a straight edge like MinnFlyer posted, wood plane, or my Microlux table saw for thicker stock.
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11-03-2008, 07:49 PM
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RE: Anyone have tricks for beveling ailerons
I'm using an old Makita palm held finishing sander with light sand paper. The centering tool is just one of those little white things that come in some ARFs or kits. I have A bunch of them from planes I have built or assembled for other people. Remember to cut the hinge slots before sanding though!!! Don't ask!!
11-03-2008, 08:02 PM
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RE: Anyone have tricks for beveling ailerons
In addition to the center line, I also draw a line along each side of the LE. The distance I set the line back depends on the thickness of the piece. Generally it is 1/8 inch or so on 1/4 flat elevators and rudders. These additional lines help me keep the bevel uniform since I now have a center and outside line to bevel to.
11-04-2008, 09:22 AM
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RE: Anyone have tricks for beveling ailerons
This is what I made for doing control surfaces.
http://www.airfieldmodels.com/inform...ing_blocks.htm
Go to the bottom of the page and look at the second pic from the bottom. I made mine from a piece of scrap 1x4. The guide lines that the others mentioned are a good idea. However you go at it, just go slow and check your progress often. Its tough to put wood back on.
Chuck
http://www.airfieldmodels.com/inform...ing_blocks.htm
Go to the bottom of the page and look at the second pic from the bottom. I made mine from a piece of scrap 1x4. The guide lines that the others mentioned are a good idea. However you go at it, just go slow and check your progress often. Its tough to put wood back on.
Chuck
11-05-2008, 03:35 AM
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RE: Anyone have tricks for beveling ailerons
On my Midwest Aerostar,for the rudder section,I got a Piece of Plastic "L"Channel from the Plastic shapes section(Think it`s Plastistruct) and glued a strip of sandpaper to the inside of each inner face,cut the excess,and "V"oila ,,instant V Channel sander.
Works pretty good too,,just sand until the balsa fits the groove
Rt4957
Works pretty good too,,just sand until the balsa fits the groove
Rt4957
11-06-2008, 11:59 AM
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RE: Anyone have tricks for beveling ailerons
I really like my old iron hand plane.. It's also great for shaping wing LE's..
When I rebuilt the sweet stick I tried something new.. The Router table with a 45 deg bevel bit..
It works great but you need to be careful about the setup and run a few test pieces so you don't over cut..
The other thing I like to do is cut and set all my hinges before beveling.
When I rebuilt the sweet stick I tried something new.. The Router table with a 45 deg bevel bit..
It works great but you need to be careful about the setup and run a few test pieces so you don't over cut..
The other thing I like to do is cut and set all my hinges before beveling.
11-06-2008, 12:07 PM
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RE: Anyone have tricks for beveling ailerons
ORIGINAL: crossman
This is what I made for doing control surfaces.
http://www.airfieldmodels.com/inform...ing_blocks.htm
Go to the bottom of the page and look at the second pic from the bottom. I made mine from a piece of scrap 1x4. The guide lines that the others mentioned are a good idea. However you go at it, just go slow and check your progress often. Its tough to put wood back on.
Chuck
This is what I made for doing control surfaces.
http://www.airfieldmodels.com/inform...ing_blocks.htm
Go to the bottom of the page and look at the second pic from the bottom. I made mine from a piece of scrap 1x4. The guide lines that the others mentioned are a good idea. However you go at it, just go slow and check your progress often. Its tough to put wood back on.
Chuck
I made several of these for our club members. I had some nice oak boards that I used. I used rubber cement to put the sandpaper on. I made them the size of a sheet of sandpaper, that way I only have to cut the strips for the 30 and 45* bevel. Let me tell you, it works great.
11-06-2008, 12:09 PM
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RE: Anyone have tricks for beveling ailerons
ORIGINAL: cold_reboot
They sell adhesive backed sandpaper for the GP Sanders in all kinds of grit, just sticks right on. Got mine from the LHS.
Edit: Should be three profiles, one large round for wing LE, one small round for tail feathers LE, and the Bevel. Easiest way I've found of sanding the bevel and know when to quit is to cut the length of Sandpaper I need, split it down the center into two strips then stick the paper to either side of the bevel leaving a small gap at the center point of the bevel where it's bare metal... || <about that wide a gap. When you bevel the edges far enough that the wood hits that gap in the center where there is no sandpaper it stops sanding itself pretty much, keeps the LE bevel straight across the length of the thing I'm beveling, so I don't end up with bumps and low spots where I've either not sanded enough, or too much.
They sell adhesive backed sandpaper for the GP Sanders in all kinds of grit, just sticks right on. Got mine from the LHS.
Edit: Should be three profiles, one large round for wing LE, one small round for tail feathers LE, and the Bevel. Easiest way I've found of sanding the bevel and know when to quit is to cut the length of Sandpaper I need, split it down the center into two strips then stick the paper to either side of the bevel leaving a small gap at the center point of the bevel where it's bare metal... || <about that wide a gap. When you bevel the edges far enough that the wood hits that gap in the center where there is no sandpaper it stops sanding itself pretty much, keeps the LE bevel straight across the length of the thing I'm beveling, so I don't end up with bumps and low spots where I've either not sanded enough, or too much.