ARF Trainer Wings
 

I bought a Trainer 40 and it has a 61” wingspan the wings come in to pieces pre-Covered. The plans show the wings to be fastened together with some wood strips. The strips are to be glued inside the wings in slots on both sides this leaves no type of fastning on top or bottom of the wing just fastened together by the two strips of wood (about ¼” thick).

Would anyone recommend something to fasten the wings a little better its kinda tricky as the wings are already covered? Or are the two strips of wood plenty to fasten the two halves of the wings together?

RE: ARF Trainer Wings
 

Is the inside of the wing that fastens together bare wood? Usually the pieces of wood are called wing joiners. You glue those in as they set the wing dihedral but you also epoxy the wing halves together. Does the manual not mention any epoxy?

RE: ARF Trainer Wings
 

No, No mention of epoxy it does say to “glue” the pieces wood “joiners” to the wings on the inside but nothing about applying epoxy to the inside to glue the two wings together. I thing gluing (epoxy) the two wings together with the Joiners would defiantly stiffen it up. But will it be strong enough? Or should I cover the join line with something?

RE: ARF Trainer Wings
 

You want to apply epoxy (slow set, 30min or longer) to the faces of the root ribs. That should be exposed wood. Then press the parts together and hold in place. I like to use masking tape to hold everything together until the epoxy cures. If you get a good, no-gap glue joint between the wing halves, and get enough epoxy on the plywood wing joiner, the wing will be strong enough. If you make a poor glue joint in the center, the wing could fail, the wood joiner by itself usually isn't strong enough.

RE: ARF Trainer Wings
 

Is there a good epoxy you recommend? I also have gap fill after the wings are joined should I use that as a finish off?

Thanks so much for the help!

RE: ARF Trainer Wings
 

There might be differences in epoxy brands, but I've never noticed much of one. I just use BSI 30min, since that's what my LHS has in stock at a reasonable price. I don't trust hardware store epoxy, but I really have no reason for that, other than "hobby snobness". (well, except that when dealing with CA's, hardware store CA really is dramatically inferior to the stuff from the hobby store. But I don't know if that carries over to Epoxy as well).

You shouldn't need a gap filler. If there is a gap to fill, you didn't get the joint right. Be sure to "dry fit" the parts, and if you need to sand or trim things, do it until you get a gapless fit.

RE: ARF Trainer Wings
 

BEFORE YOU USE THE EPOXY, "dry" fit the joiner(s) and wing halfs to gether FIRST. MOST ARFs have no problems, however, on occasion, I have seen some where the joiners didn't fit properly.

What you want is a SNUG fit, not a tight fit, with each joiner half in the wing and you also need to make sure the wing halfs WITH THE JOINER IN PLACE, will fit flush with each other.

If there is a problem you want to find out BEFORE you put the epoxy to it.

As for epoxy, just about any type of 30 minute (or longer) epoxy will work. I have occasionally used the stuff in the 2 tubes that you can get at Ace, True Value, Wal-Mart, etc.

RE: ARF Trainer Wings
 

Thanks for the help guys I will go forth and conquer now!:D I have been in RC’s for a while but just got into Gas planes so will defiantly be back with questions…

SWG

RE: ARF Trainer Wings
 

defiantly???? Could this be the wrong word???

RE: ARF Trainer Wings
 

We can only wait with patience & interest -- all will eventually be revealed.

RE: ARF Trainer Wings
 

Hum... Might be a bit harsh of a word lets just say I plan on "sticking" around a while!:D

SWG