Hi folks ! Is there any tool or a jig that I can make to help me accurately sand the trailing edge angle of a wing ? I find it not convenient to use a sanding bar for this purpose due to inconsistent hand movement and difficulty in controlling the sanding bar angle. There is also a risk of oversanding and ruining the trailing edge and the whole wing. Thanks for the inputs....................

I'm not sure if there is any special tool that you can use.

What I do is, mark the centerline of the aileron (elevator or rudder) LE then make a mark on the top and bottom surface the distance back I want to go....say 1/4" for example. Then on the tip or end surface I make a line connecting the center mark to the top and bottom mark to get the angle I need.
Now depending on the size of the aileron I might place it on my 1" belt sander/disk sander machine. I angle the surface to the amount I need sanded away. I use the 1" belt and sand away most of the material then finish up with a sanding bar.
If the aileron is a small one I'll just use the sanding bar and take the material down to the lines I made.

Also make sure you have the openings for your hinges made first. It's much easier to do on a flat surface than on an angled one.

Ditto what Goggles said.

You could fasten two metal rods as guides against the leading edge and trailing of your stock. The rods will be of a diameter to match the thickness desired. I have read of people using music wire or drill rods for this purpose. Then sand away until you stop at the wires.

Dave Segal

OK folks, I took your inputs and came up with a simple tool that actually works great ! I mark the balsa trailing edge as usual, then I use two aluminum L bars on top and bottom of the wing. The edge of the bar is aligned with the pencil marking. The L bar provides sufficient in-plane rigidity to prevent deformation during sanding. I attach them to the sheeting by first applying a 1" strip of masking tape, then I overlay a thin 1" double sided tape onto the masking tape, followed by the L bar. Don't stick the double sided tape directly onto the balsa or it might damage it while removing the L-bar. The L-bar can be slowly remove and you'll find that the double-sided tape will follow it. Peel off the masking tape slowly in the balsa grain direction (it's harder to pull it off in the opposite direction). Once the top and bottom L bars are in place, just sand away with a sanding bar until the edges of the L bars are reached. I tried this out today on two wing panels and it was quite successful and takes out the chore from trailing edge sanding. Very precise, consistent and easy to do !! I guess the same tool can be used for sanding bevels in the control surfaces as well. Will give it a try next.