RE: First build - Sig SE started
 

I am sorry but I dont have anything that says "click here to upload " dont you have to go somewhere else before get to that part?

RE: First build - Sig SE started
 

You only see the "click here to upload" when you click on reply to a post, NOT doing a fast reply at the bottom of the page.

RE: First build - Sig SE started
 

I started working a little on the SE again. Here's my "progress" so far.

As you can see from the first picture, when I started sanding one wing half, I broke the sheeting[:o]. The balsa for this wing was so thin, I almost applied no pressure and it broke. In fact, as I was repairing the damage, another section broke[>:]

I replaced it with a little denser sheeting, and it should be ok now. I'm pretty much done with the sanding. I still have left some rough spots. I started sanding with 150 grit, then progressed to 330 and finally 600. I have now learned that with 150 grit sandpaper, I can quickly sand down too much....Will keep this in mind for my next build.

Last night I cut all the hinge slots and replaced the landing gear with a taller dubro one. Tonight I will reinforce the control horn areas with the supplied tape, do some more sanding and I should be ready to cover the SE next week.

-tycho

RE: First build - Sig SE started
 

It's looking great and you have made good progress. I know what you mean about the sheeting though. I had to repair mine in a couple of places as well. Watch yourself when you cover so that you don't put a thumb or finger through the balsa. It is real easy to forget and put too much pressure in the wrong place.

RE: First build - Sig SE started
 

Next one I build I might glass the inner sections of the wings where they are sheeted. I have found that when I pick the plane up off the starting bench at the field the surface is just too spongy for my liking.

RE: First build - Sig SE started
 

I agree, it's very spongy!! But if you glass the center section, can you still cover it with film?

-tychoc

RE: First build - Sig SE started
 

You bet!! Don't you remember when you built your trainer (unless you did an ARF) and after you put the two wing halfs together you put the strip of fiberglass at the joint? The covering went over it just fine. I'll be glassing the entire airframe of the P-47 I am building but then I'm going to paint it, but I thought about covering it with ultracoat as well.

RE: First build - Sig SE started
 

I've gotten started on the covering job, but I must say it's taking time since all I have time for right now is spending about 1 1/2 hours four nights per week. Anyway, here's the results so far. I'm hoping to finish off the fuse and the remainder of the trim this week as well as CA all the hinges and glue/sand the wheel pants.

So far, covering with Ultracote has prooven to work pretty well as long as I take my time and don't rush it. The only problem I had was when doing the blue cover on top of the white on the wing-tips. Ultracote on ultracote doesn't work well at all[:o]

Now I know...

-tycho

RE: First build - Sig SE started
 

Looks great but Ultrakote on Ultrakote works the best compared to Monokote on Monokote. Monokote's glue property's result in the release of gases that create many air bubbles in the covering. Ultrakote goes on very well ;)
I ran out of Ultra when covering mine. I have one wing panel covered in Mono now. The Mono panel warps and wrinkles in the back of the warm truck Grrrr but it sure is a lot shinier :D

RE: First build - Sig SE started
 

Hughes500E: This is just the problem I get with Ultracote on Ultracote, i.e., lots of air bubbles. It sort of works over a solid surface, but over an open area such as the wing between spars, I get a lot of bubbles. What is the trick to do this properly?

Alos, I've finished covering the fuse and I have a question: What's the best way of opening up the hole for the wing joiner tube? For smaller holes I just the solder iron trick, but is this the best way for such a big hole?

Thanks,

tychoc

RE: First build - Sig SE started
 

I used the same method for the large holes as the small ones. Just use the soldering iron and go slowly and it should melt it just like you want. I keep a spare (read old) gun in my shop just for this purpose. It is great for melting the covering and opening the holes, but does not heat up enough for soldering anymore.

RE: First build - Sig SE started
 

I did seams instead of overlap on the wings, and then sealed the seams with fuelproofer - saves weight, and no bubbles!
My seams were all on the rib caps and on solid wood surfaces - worked out fine.
I.F.

RE: First build - Sig SE started
 

I had great success with Ultracote over Ultracote by using windex and a squeegee to get it in place. Then let it dry for a couple of hours and follow it up with an iron on low heat. All of the orange on the T2 in my gallery was done that way and there isn't a bubble to be found anywhere.

RE: First build - Sig SE started
 

krossk: In another thred, the advice was that the windex/squeege method doesn't work with Ultracote. Only with Monokote on Monokote or Monokote on Ultrakote. That's why I didn't try this method.

I will try the windex method on the remaining trim too see how it works for me. Thanks for the info.

inverted flyer: In hindsight, I should have done the same and only had seams on solid surfaces. BTW, the blue on the leading edge on my wing is not overlaying the white (except for the seam) since it's over a solid surface. My bubble problem is on the wing tips where the blue is overlapping the white.

-tychoc

RE: First build - Sig SE started
 

Anyone have a weight measurement on their SIG SE?

Mine, fully covered, servo's, engine, radio, battery, everything installed, weighs 5 lbs 10 oz.

Now, this is before adding any weight to adjust the CG.

This seems a bit high...the SIG site, states as high as 4.75 lbs or 4 lbs 12 oz.

So, my plane is about 1 lb over.

Just wondering how this compares to everyone elses plane?

RE: First build - Sig SE started
 

You are correct in that the windex will not activate the adhesive, but it will allow you to position the trim piece and eliminate the air bubbles. This gets the piece in place securely enough to seal it with the iron. As long as you keep the heat just high enough to adhere the trim, but no higher than absolutely necessary, I found the results quite satisfying. The guys in my club could not believe that was my first covering job!

Good luck with yours - I'm likeing the trim pattern you've got going. I may borrow some of the lines when I get to mine:D

RE: First build - Sig SE started
 

Wrong thread! [&:]

RE: First build - Sig SE started
 

krossk: Sure you can borrow the pattern. I arrived at this by looking at ads in a magazine. It's the combination of a couple of ARFs.

So I'm done with the covering, but realize that I still have lots left to do. I still need to CA the hinges, build and paint the wheel pants, epoxy the tail feathers, instlall pushrods, tail-wheel and radio, glue the canopy...., well, you get the picture:D

No too bad though. I still have two weeks left until it's been two months since I started the build.

-tychoc

RE: First build - Sig SE started
 

Just looked at the pictures I uploaded. They look really crappy compared to the originals. Why do they sometimes look all distorted and low res.?

-tycho

Trying to upload only one picture to see if it keeps it's resolution.

RE: First build - Sig SE started
 

Looking good!
I wouldn't worry about the build duration - I started on mind just before X-mas and am still just getting the fuse framed up. But then my build time is somewhat limited with an 8 yr. old dance princess needing her "Daddy time" too.:) I also am making a few non-standard modifications as well. I was inspired by the cowled 4* thread and am trying to build a cowl for a side-mounted Saito .72, along with pull-pull elevator and rudder. I'll post some pictures as soon as it stops looking like every other SSE build thread. It's been a fun, but slow process.

BTW, what does the bottom look like?

RE: First build - Sig SE started
 

Getting closer to the maiden now! I knocked the landing gear off mine again last night. I had it repaired quickly though. I epoxied the plate back into place, and then took a piece of fiberglass and epoxied that in place over the LG plate and the surrounding area. IT wont come off again...unless I crash :D

RE: First build - Sig SE started
 

I made som more progress the last week, but as krossk said, the kids take time and doesn't leave much for building models at the end of the day. Here's my slow but steady progress:

I dyed the canopy dark and glued it on.
CA all hinges. Had to redo one aileron that was binding due to a off center hinge.
Epoxied the tailfeathers.
Built, sanded and spraypainted the wheel pants.

Here're a couple of pics including the bottom:

-tychoc

RE: First build - Sig SE started
 

Looks great! Won't be long till she's in the air!

RE: First build - Sig SE started
 

Looks real good!
Are you going to be sealing your hinge gaps?
I would recommend using clear covering or just clear packing tape ;)

RE: First build - Sig SE started
 

I posted this on another Sig SE thread, but since this one is more active, maybe it'll work out better.

Could anyone provide me with the 2 view line drawings of th Sig SE? I am considering getting this plane in the near future, and would like to have the drawings to work on color schemes while I wait for financial approval from the wife. ;)