How to build a cowl from scratch.
 

Can anyone point me to an article, post or website that details how to build a cowl from scratch?

I am doing so on a Sig Four Star 60, it has an inverted mount Saito 91 in the nose. I have seen sites that show pictures of their cowled Four Stars -- but I sure could use some ideas on how to proceed...

It really doesn't matter if the cowl was for a Four Star - just that it was built up from wood (balsa).

Anyone have anything?

Re: How to build a cowl from scratch.
 

Trosser:
Current (May '03) issue of MAN has some good notes on doing a 'glass cowl in the Sparrowhawk construction article.
Why? Unfamiliarity with 'glass? It's quick, easy, cheap, and fuelproof. All good reasons not to use wood. At least IMHO.

Just finished a fiberglass cowl.
. Tried wood, turned out foul.

Haw.

Bill.

LOL!!!
 

William - Nice Poetry! You've got me laughin'!

I will check out the mag.

Still - if anyone has anything on wood, William is right, I'm either a) scared of glass, or b) realizing I would have to carve it out of wood first to get a shape to glass...

T.

How to build a cowl from scratch.
 

Here is a link you might find helpful as TOm did it on his 4* 40

Build a Cowl from Balsa

I like the cowl but was afraid to do it on my 4* 40.

May have to modify to your size and set up though. Sure Tom won't mind getting you going with advice. He is a great person as I have emailed him a few times too.

Direct link to article. Scroll down to BAlsa Cowl

Re: LOL!!!
 

Thanks, that's only one of the reasons I do them, though. Another reason is (hopefully) educational. Next time someone starts to do a wood cowl they might remember that, and say "Why not try it?"
Not so, sir. That's one of the good things you'll see in the MAN article. Slap a chunk of foam on it and hack away. Cuts very easily. Cut too far? Rip it off and start over. Foam is so easy to find you'll have to ruin seventeen or thirtyseven dozen before you get to the cost of a balsa mold.

Free eighteen foot cube of foam!
. But I've nothing to haul it home.

Bill.

How to build a cowl from scratch.
 

here is a easy way with good results. take some blue or pink foam and carve it to the rough shape. then sand it,it sands easily. wrap the finished plug in packing tape so resin wont eat the foam.then glass it with a few layers of cloth. sand to a smooth finish then pour acetone in to eat out the foam. this is way easier then it sounds, i use this method to make complete fuselages. i have taken pics of the complete process, if your interested email me and i will send them to you.

ps. i forgot to mention for a final coat , i mix microballoons with resin. brush this on the plug. it will be easier to sand to a smooth surface.,and your less likely to sand into the cloth.

4* cowl
 

I am just finishing up a balsa cowl on a 4* 40 --- The instructions are in RC Modeler Sept 2000 issue. But-- it is a self winding ***** to get to anything inside to check bolts or remove
the engine. I suggest that you make a removable cowl from fg .

How to build a cowl from scratch.
 

I just finished building the cowl for my TF Contender out of balsa. It took a little time, but was easy. You basically use 4 pieces of wood. 3 are 1/2" for sides and front, the 4th is 1" for the bottom. You just put them all together and play with it till you get the shape you like.

Here is a link to the thread for mine and two other RCU members (hoverit & Charlie P.) progress on our Contenders. We all had to build a cowl from (almost) scratch.
http://www.rcuniverse.com/showthread...hreadid=521128

I hope this helps.
ALL