Jaybird

My limited experience with Coverite is that it just doesn't tighten up like other covering, including Solartex. The Fleet that I bought complete is covered in Coverite that seems rather spongy and it never really gets tight and sags over time. Too much heat and the seams pull away. My Solartex covered planes don't sag and seams stay put. Hopefully someone has some recommendations as I have a couple rolls of it too, but have been hesitant to use it no knowing how well it would work.

Jaybird

Fleet

Well, stay tuned.   If I don't like what I see on the ailerons after a few coats of buty, the coverite may get removed and back to Koverall.   Supose I should order up more Randophs.

Thanks for the response.

Ray W #7

retransit

My Feedback: (18)

The leather I have is from Michaels, which is a craft store. It is available in different colors, widths and thicknesses. The product is "Soft Leather Trim Piece" #4036. Product website is www.tandyleatherfactory.com

Bob

retransit

My Feedback: (18)

"Now, I know they have mice in Florida."

We have rats too, human ones.

Bob

retransit

My Feedback: (18)

"I've some fresh Solartex in silver that may have to be employed but I'd really like to use up the old stuff.

Any ideas Brotherhood?"

Make a tablecloth.
Seriously, if it will shrink very little, I think you're going to have to pass on it.

Bob

retransit

My Feedback: (18)

My first Fleet had fabric on it and I'm guessing it was Coverite. It was 30 years old. It sagged and felt like rubber. That is why I replaced all of it with Nelson Lite Fab, which is no longer available in the U.S. and looks very similar and has about the same properties as Solartex.

Bob

knucklebutt

Solar Tex Lite Fab same thing

Fleet

Some improvement this morning but a few sags were observed. Reheat, more dope, reheat and let dry. Seems, with this , I have less and less sag.

Interesting in that I covered the elevators, stab, fin, and rudder with the same roll with no problems with the ailerons. Not sure where it will all shake out but rest assured, the wings will get Sig Koverall and all the dope it will take to fill the weave. Might even be lighter than the silver solartex.

Pic of fuse is verticle (very big 1/3rd scaler) covered with Koverall. Thump it and it sings. Love it.

Ray W.

#7

... well, it was supposed to be verticle.

Fleet

Seems I'm having some success.   3rd coat of Butyrate cut 50% with thinner and retarder is tightening things up.   I'm still gun shy and have begun to brush balsarite around the parimeter of the wing sections in prep for 3/4oz Koverall.  

Fuse getting painted up nice and rudder may get another coat of orange/yellow.  

As well, I'm going through the fittings I made for the Nstruts and flying wires giving them some locktite treatment.   Final sanding and measuring here and there and by evening, I can start laying down some fabric.

Ray W.
#7

retransit

My Feedback: (18)

I'm on you tail, Ray.

I ran out of Pink-It tape so I had to place an order. He didn't have any natural Solartex because Bala USA was waiting for a shipment due in in the middle of October. I settled for white. It shouldn't be a problem.

Bob

retransit

My Feedback: (18)

I was going to cover the wings tomorrow but Thursdays we have our weekly afternoon cook-out and I have to check out a Headmaster's batteries before then. I'm giving it to a member's son so he can learn to fly.

Bob

Planejaw

My Feedback: (53)

Bob, have you tried to cut your own pinking tape? I used a fabric cutting wheel with a pinking blade. I've done a Cub and my Fleet this way, cutting strips of Solartex. You can cut tape to your heart's content in any width you would like.

Fleet

Tell me more on the cutting wheel John from Portage.   I can't see the price for the Pink it as for my 1/3 scale, I could buy up a bunch of new props for the same.  

I've given up looking for the paper medical tape and the "waterproof" is showing some propencity to come loose until lots of dope and buty color comes off from masking tape.  

I was going to just cut some strips from white coverite .60 inch wide and forego the pinked edge.   Sally's hair tape worked good, wasn't all that expensive, but women just don't use it much so it's getting more rare.   I was never sure of the scale pinked anyway.

Great rebuild Bob.   Nice work considering what you had to work with.

Ray W.

#7

retransit

My Feedback: (18)

Ray, that's not a rebuild. I used the plans to cut a new kit. The only pieces that were salvaged were the ailerons, empennage, cowling, landing gear and a couple of hatches. Most needed some form of repair, but it was minor.

John - I looked around a bit for the pinking cutting wheel, but couldn't find it locally and I put it on the back burner. Again, what tool and wheel do you use? I probably can get it from Amazon.

Bob

Planejaw

My Feedback: (53)

I'm using the Olfa Rotary Cutter RTY-2/G and the PIB45-1 9456 rotary pinking blade. The cutter comes with a straight cutting blade...you need to purchase the pinking blade. The handle/straight blade runs around $20. Not a bad investment. You can get it at any sewing store or even at a craft store that sells sewing items. Order on-line too. I always keep an extra blade and have only changed mine once. You can do an entire airplane with one rotary blade.

Use it against a metal straight-edge (3-footer) and hold the straight edge on the Solartex with a couple clamps, then run the cutting wheel held tight against the straight edge. Use a balsa building board or a sewing mat (my wife is a quilter). I cut the short dimensions of the role (26" I guess) and cut as many as I need, then just iron them on. Works like a charm.

Let me know if you need any further info Ray.

Fleet

Thanks John.... I'm out the door.

Ray W.
#7

retransit

My Feedback: (18)

I'm online at Amazon.com

Bob

retransit

My Feedback: (18)

Hey John, how fine is the pinking?

By the way, Amazon has it for $13.88 and the Ergonomic model with the quick change blade feature is the same price.

Bob

Planejaw

My Feedback: (53)

Watch your finger's lad, they're sharp rotary blades and can give very nasty cuts...I would guess.

retransit

My Feedback: (18)

John, the pinked edges on the 1/4 scale Pink-It tape is spaced at 1/16" What is the Olfa cutter spacing?

Bob

Fleet

Since I don't need it for a week or so, I gave it off to the wifie who gets free shipping as she orders soooo much stuff there.

I've a rotary cutter I used on Tolex and vinyl coverings and was , indeed, quite sharp.   Mine was a fiskers with retractable blade but I'm not aware of a pinked edge blade.

Baked Ziti on tonight so looks like no work on the Fleet until much later.  

Ray W.
#7

Planejaw

My Feedback: (53)

Peak to peak or trough to trough is about 9/32". That would equate to just a little over 1" at full scale.

retransit

My Feedback: (18)

I'm going to stick with the Pink-It. It is much closer to 1/4 scale. The pinking tape I used years ago on a full scale fabric wing was closer, in scale, to the 1/16" dimension.

Bob

retransit

My Feedback: (18)

"Baked Ziti on tonight so looks like no work on the Fleet until much later."

Good move!

Bob

Fleet

Hmm... I subbed zuccini for the eggplant.

Smells like an Italian resturant kitchen in here. Wifie was abit off that I nearly completely retired so I picked up the house chores and cooking. Helped round the hard edge if you know what I mean.

Even if the pinking is too large, I'll cut my own without that treatment. Since this will be stand 'WAY' off scale, who will know.

Ray W.
#7