warped ailerons
 

it seems that everytime i build a kit with solid stock ailerons, theyre always warped. im building a ss 60 and sure enough one aileron is bent in both directions, the other in just one. is there a fix ( wetting w/ ammonia and clamping, etc.) or should i toss them and build up another pair ?

RE: warped ailerons
 

That would work fine, ammonia, alcohol....anything that is volatile and wont let the wood to stay wet for a long time should do.

RE: warped ailerons
 

There are 3 ways that it can be warped. Only one needs to be corrected.

Looking at the pic below, only the TE in figure 1 needs to be straightened or replaced, the other two will straighten out when it is hinged in place.

RE: warped ailerons
 

MinnFlyer, will the hinges hold on #3? I had one that was .25" out of whack and I had to push on it so hard I figured it would eventually pull the hinge loose. I replaced it but would try it the other way if it will hold.

RE: warped ailerons
 

Obviously, it depends on the strength of the wood. In most cases, only minor pressure would be required to hold it straight. After a short time, the wood would relax and the warp would disappear. But if it's an unusually strong piece of balsa, and needs a lot of pressure to get it straight, then I would replace it (or try the "wetting it and bending it the opposite way" method to try to straighten it)