Covering Tools
 

Ok.. so I am at the point in my LT-40 build to cover the model. Looking at a blue body with yellow wings - kids help me pick -- great to get them involved. :) Anyway.... the question is regarding tools. I see that we have a heat gun, sealing iron, and a trim tool. Does one need all three or can one just use one tool for the complete job? Certainly having the right tool for the job is a great advantage and truly steam lines the process, so just looking for options.

RE: Covering Tools
 

You can do it all with a Sealing Iron.

RE: Covering Tools
 

Cheesehead,

In a word - YES. I covered several planes with a sealing iron before I got a heat gun. In fact I still have my first sealing iron and it still works (and it's over 30 years old). It just needs a shoe since they didn't have socks for them available back then.

Just take your time. Do a search on RCU for covering with plastic films and you'll find lots of help on what works and what doesn't. It may seem hard at first (and don't get up set if your first covering job doesn't come out perfect) but it gets easier the more you cover.

Hogflyer

RE: Covering Tools
 

I think Hogflyer's sealing iron is the kind you heat in a fire and hold with a stick. They have electric ones now.

Just a joke, Hogflyer.

RE: Covering Tools
 

agexpert,

Here's a scarry thought - I've got some solder irons that are just that. IRONS! They have to be heated in a fire to work. (An inheritance from my grandfather).

Ever hear of the brand Sealector Custom Iron? That was my first sealing iron.

Hogflyer

RE: Covering Tools
 

RCU member MinnFlyer has done some great how-to articles and videos on covering. check them out as they will go a long way to getting you started.
[link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/magazine/article_display.cfm?article_id=67]Minnflyer Covering how-to[/link]
[link=http://67.18.81.100/rcuvideos/magazine/reviews/352/cov1.wmv]Minnflyer Covering video, part 1[/link]
[link=http://67.18.81.100/rcuvideos/magazine/reviews/352/cov2.wmv]Minnflyer Covering video. part 2[/link]
[link=http://67.18.81.100/rcuvideos/magazine/reviews/352/cov3.wmv]Minnflyer Covering video, part 3[/link]

newest covering videos
[link]http://www.rcuniverse.com/magazine/article_display.cfm?article_id=726[/link]

No on to the subject of tools. All you really need is a heat source. My first covering job was done with a travel iron that I had. It was all I had at the time. The job came out looking pretty good actually (still have the plane with the same covering job). You can do a covering job by just using a sealing iron, as long as you realize that it's going to take a LOT longer to shrink and stretch the covering material. A heat gun lets you shrink a lot of material quickly. After I shrink with the heat gun I will then use the iron to seal the covering down to the wood of the plane. So if you are using just an iron you will want to first go over the area without applying pressure to the covering material, you want to get it hot so it will shrink. After you have it shrunk you can then go over it again with pressure to adhere it to the wood.

If you're interested, here are the tools that I use when covering a plane.
[ul][*] heat gun[*] 3 covering irons. One set to a high heat, one to a lower heat, and the third with a hot sock on it.[*] Trim iron[*] Welder's glove (to hold the material with while you are shrinking it so you don't burn your hand)[*] A 100 pack of single edge razor blades. I use 10-30 blades per covering job. As soon as the blade starts to "catch" when you are cutting material it's time to replace it.[*] 4' length mirror. Great for cutting your covering material on. It's also perfect for sealing two different color panels of covering material on.[*] 36" metal straight edge. Absolutely needed for getting a good straight cut.
[/ul]

Ok, I think that's about it.

Hope this helps

Ken

RE: Covering Tools
 

Ken thanks for the links nd thank minn flyer for the Benny Hill music. Where was the old bald guy?

RE: Covering Tools
 

Well, he's not bald yet. But he certainly is old!!!! :D:D:D

Ken

RE: Covering Tools
 

Oh, you meant Benny Hill!!!!!!!!!!!!! ;) :D:D

Ken

RE: Covering Tools
 

Be Careful around MinnFlyer...Rumor has it he is a Viqueens fan...and a rabid one too.

RE: Covering Tools
 

That's just wrong, but funny. Seriously after tackling my first covering job which was the Patchwork for the fuse on my kadet senior, I am ready to recover the wing on my seniorita. I was so worried about those wing tips, but minnflyers videos showed patience and some useful tips should pay off alot.

what temps do you reccomend for the Iron, I was planning to use my IR thermometer to make sure i am close. The senior was all done with a heat gun,
I just acquired an iron. i am using ultracote.

RE: Covering Tools
 

My wife came home from work yesterday after stopping at the fabric store to pick up some cotton thread for me to use in Iron socks. She was telling me about the neet little iron with the replacable tips. I picked up my trim iron and showed her and Yep, it was the same thing. SOO, maybe the wife needs a little iron for some of her projects and you could borrow it:eek:

Don

RE: Covering Tools
 

Hogflyer,
That's not too scary. I have several of those also. They work great but I use a torch to heat them.

Old tools are always useful except for the turnbuckle wrench I have made by Geo. Roebling and Co. but it's way cool to look at.

RE: Covering Tools
 

On the couple occasions I've used them, I used a coal fire to heat them up.

Hogflyer

RE: Covering Tools
 

LOL!! Who runs the bellows?

RE: Covering Tools
 

Coal? Is that the same stuff you use in the BBQ? I heard Texas A&M had a coal-fired plane once, til it burned in flight. Then they sold it to the Sooners. :D

RE: Covering Tools
 

Hey now!!! Watch it!!! [>:]

They were gonna sell it to the Sooners, but FedEx bought them up for their fleet of delivery planes!!!!! :D:D

Ken

RE: Covering Tools
 

That may be true but we modify EVERYTHING. It actually works now. :D

RE: Covering Tools
 

Yep, just like Microsoft Works!!!!! :D:D [:@] [:'(] :eek:

Ken

RE: Covering Tools
 

Just for that, wait til you see where I have your next package sent. [:@]

RE: Covering Tools
 

What??? You planning on doing something different this time?? Like maybe delivering it on time and to the correct place??? [:@] :D:D:D:D

Ken

RE: Covering Tools
 

Not even close. Let's see, account number for Ken I......, and let's see where that automatic shipment forwarding page is. Oh, here it is.........International forwarding costs extra ya know Ken?...........

RE: Covering Tools
 

Not if you use the Big Brown Truck!!!!! [X(] :D:D

Ken

RE: Covering Tools
 

They charge even more for international forwarding because their trucks can't swim. :D

RE: Covering Tools
 

According to Tom Hanks neither can FedEx's planes!!!! :D

Ken