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Old 01-14-2010 | 12:46 PM
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michael wood's Avatar
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From: linden, TN
Default leading edge

what is the easiest was to sand the leading edge to shape it I have a greatplanes sanding tool but the leading edge is to wide I building a uproad 40 is there something I can make to sand leading edges thanks michael
Old 01-14-2010 | 12:53 PM
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Default RE: leading edge

You can do several things. If it is completly square and you need it round you could start off by using a hand plane or a carving knife and trim it down closer to the right shape. You can make your own sanding block just by cutting a block of wood to the right width and then you can staple a peice of sand paper around the block. When the sandpaper is all used up you can rip it off and staple on a new peice.
Old 01-14-2010 | 12:54 PM
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Default RE: leading edge

I usually knock off the bulk with a corse sanding bar or razor plane and then use a sheet of sandpaper like you're shining shoes
Old 01-14-2010 | 01:09 PM
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Default RE: leading edge

Wing LE? What MinnFlyer said.

Aileron, elevator & rudder - I scribe a line parallel to the LE on both to and bottom. The line identifies where I want the shape to end - maybe 1/4, 3/8 or 1/2 inch depending on thickness of surface. I use a 22" Great Planes sanding block with 80 grit paper. If I'm after a rounded LE then I bevel the top and bottom of the LE - about half way to the center of the LE and half way to the lines. I then use the sanding bar to gradually round over the sections until it meets profile that I want. If I'm after a pointed LE then I bevel the top and bottom all the way to the center of the LE and the "end lines".

hth - good luck.
Old 01-14-2010 | 01:10 PM
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From: Revelstoke, BC, CANADA
Default RE: leading edge

I don't use the le tool. waist of money...

I draw a centerline on the le and then slowley with thin amounts razor plane off to get it close, then I gently sand with a small block with 50 grit glued to the block. Then I sand with 100 grit with a 3 foot bar. Gets a very straight leading edge. Finish up as minnflier says with some fine, 220 ish paper like yer polishing. When in the final stages u can hit it with some 400-600 to get it really smooth...

Unwanted scratches can be lifted with a little water. It will swell the scratch. Let air dry then sand it. Gone...
Old 01-14-2010 | 01:12 PM
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Default RE: leading edge

You can easily build one to fit your desired shape like the 3 on the right. The red one on the left is adjustable and "was" made by Great Plains but it doesn't show on Towers site now. Might be they quit making them.
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Old 01-14-2010 | 01:19 PM
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From: linden, TN
Default RE: leading edge

mikegordon thats what i am talking about I thought about cutting a pice of round pvc pipe and cut it in half and use my heat gun to shape it to what I want and glue sand paper to it it would be easy to make and I guess I could re use it
Old 01-14-2010 | 01:23 PM
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From: Hemderson, NV
Default RE: leading edge

I haven't built the UR in years but I still have that cool little LE shape template they have on the plans, I made one out of light ply because I built so many of that plane. I just used a palm or finishing sander, electric. Then I started using a small plane to remove the bulk wood, then the electric then using the template tool I hand sanded to the finished shape. Takes about an hour to get it just right.
Old 01-14-2010 | 02:54 PM
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From: Eustace, TX
Default RE: leading edge

+1 more for the "shoe shine" technique mentioned by Minn

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