Need to fix warped rudder and vert stab.
07-08-2012, 08:30 PM
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Need to fix warped rudder and vert stab.
I have a warpage problem with my rudder and vert stab. As you can see in the video i was hoping to epoxy in a carbon fiber rod helping it to stay straight. Do you think this can work or do you have any other ideas that might be better?
skeeter
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIEUU_k_5YQ&feature=plcp[/youtube]
skeeter
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIEUU_k_5YQ&feature=plcp[/youtube]
07-08-2012, 08:35 PM
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RE: Need to fix warped rudder and vert stab.
Steam it and then press it on a flat surface with a bunch of weight. Let it sit for day or so and pull it out. Should be straight. Will need to sand smooth again as it will raise the grain a bit when you steam it...
I had the same issue and this worked for me. Get the wood steamed pretty good.
I had the same issue and this worked for me. Get the wood steamed pretty good.
07-08-2012, 08:40 PM
#3
RE: Need to fix warped rudder and vert stab.
The carbon fiber rod won't help. There are two things that will help. One, take a hot steam iron and press the inside curve of the warp with the steam.
The other is, cut off the warped section and glue a straight piece in it's place.
Frank
The other is, cut off the warped section and glue a straight piece in it's place.
Frank
07-09-2012, 06:09 AM
#4
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RE: Need to fix warped rudder and vert stab.
"Do you think this can work ?"
Yes.
"The carbon fiber rod won't help."
I'll argue that. In the OLD days we used to do the same thing with just another piece of balsa wood the same thickness. Kept things as flat as you would want.
Les
Yes.
"The carbon fiber rod won't help."
I'll argue that. In the OLD days we used to do the same thing with just another piece of balsa wood the same thickness. Kept things as flat as you would want.
Les
07-09-2012, 08:47 AM
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RE: Need to fix warped rudder and vert stab.
Windex works the same as steam and will moisten the wood , You spray the inner side of the curved wood and it will swell and straigten out . Then weight it down and let it dry. I put paper towels on both sides to absorb the moisture and speed drying. With a scrap peace of sheet balsa spry one side and watch what happens
Larry K
Larry K
07-09-2012, 09:07 AM
#8
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RE: Need to fix warped rudder and vert stab.
As Frank said, you can just cut out the warp and glue in a new piece, it just looks like 1/4 inch balsa. Your over thinking it. You can glue it on straight using pins, once glued down and set up is should be fine. The little warp in the rudder can be removed with your covering, you bend it straight and use your heat gun on the other side of the warp and the covering will tighten up and hold it straight. I just use ammonia and water {the windex trick} it's the ammonia that softens up the wood. You can try spraying the inside of the warp to remove it.
Or the EASY WAY. Just buy some 1/4 inch balsa and cut new parts if you mess up the warp. Sometimes you can make it worse!
Kit builders should have 1/4, 1/16, 1/32 and 1/8 sheeting on hand in there shop for these little problems. Not a lot but a sheet or two. Hobby People have balsa in stock and Hobby Town but they charge a bunch for it. As a scratch builder I buy it in bulk from National Balsa and it is very cheap that way but you need to buy too much. Kit building friends are always hitting me up for a piece of wood so if you have any builder friends make a phone call, we don't mind helping out.
Or the EASY WAY. Just buy some 1/4 inch balsa and cut new parts if you mess up the warp. Sometimes you can make it worse!
Kit builders should have 1/4, 1/16, 1/32 and 1/8 sheeting on hand in there shop for these little problems. Not a lot but a sheet or two. Hobby People have balsa in stock and Hobby Town but they charge a bunch for it. As a scratch builder I buy it in bulk from National Balsa and it is very cheap that way but you need to buy too much. Kit building friends are always hitting me up for a piece of wood so if you have any builder friends make a phone call, we don't mind helping out.
07-09-2012, 09:28 AM
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RE: Need to fix warped rudder and vert stab.
ORIGINAL: Gray Beard
As Frank said, you can just cut out the warp and glue in a new piece, it just looks like 1/4 inch balsa. Your over thinking it. You can glue it on straight using pins, once glued down and set up is should be fine. The little warp in the rudder can be removed with your covering, you bend it straight and use your heat gun on the other side of the warp and the covering will tighten up and hold it straight. I just use ammonia and water {the windex trick} it's the ammonia that softens up the wood. You can try spraying the inside of the warp to remove it.
Or the EASY WAY. Just buy some 1/4 inch balsa and cut new parts if you mess up the warp. Sometimes you can make it worse!
Kit builders should have 1/4, 1/16, 1/32 and 1/8 sheeting on hand in there shop for these little problems. Not a lot but a sheet or two. Hobby People have balsa in stock and Hobby Town but they charge a bunch for it. As a scratch builder I buy it in bulk from National Balsa and it is very cheap that way but you need to buy too much. Kit building friends are always hitting me up for a piece of wood so if you have any builder friends make a phone call, we don't mind helping out.
As Frank said, you can just cut out the warp and glue in a new piece, it just looks like 1/4 inch balsa. Your over thinking it. You can glue it on straight using pins, once glued down and set up is should be fine. The little warp in the rudder can be removed with your covering, you bend it straight and use your heat gun on the other side of the warp and the covering will tighten up and hold it straight. I just use ammonia and water {the windex trick} it's the ammonia that softens up the wood. You can try spraying the inside of the warp to remove it.
Or the EASY WAY. Just buy some 1/4 inch balsa and cut new parts if you mess up the warp. Sometimes you can make it worse!
Kit builders should have 1/4, 1/16, 1/32 and 1/8 sheeting on hand in there shop for these little problems. Not a lot but a sheet or two. Hobby People have balsa in stock and Hobby Town but they charge a bunch for it. As a scratch builder I buy it in bulk from National Balsa and it is very cheap that way but you need to buy too much. Kit building friends are always hitting me up for a piece of wood so if you have any builder friends make a phone call, we don't mind helping out.
+
07-09-2012, 09:30 AM
#10
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RE: Need to fix warped rudder and vert stab.
Grey Beard beat me to it. I'd just cut a new ones. And I agree on having standard wood sizes for whatever you want to do for repairs, or scratch building. I buy wood by the box car load. It lasts me a long time and stays good if you store it properly.
Edwin
Edwin
07-10-2012, 06:06 AM
#13
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RE: Need to fix warped rudder and vert stab.
"Kit builders should have 1/4, 1/16, 1/32 and 1/8 "
Good luck finding those sizes. The last Midwest sheet I picked up (in a panic) turned out to be the nearest metric equivalent??, not inches.
Les
Good luck finding those sizes. The last Midwest sheet I picked up (in a panic) turned out to be the nearest metric equivalent??, not inches.
Les
