Sledge plans too large
#1
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From: Bellingham,
MA
Well, now that I have finished the wing, I have been working on the fuse. I discovered that the laser cut pieces were noticably smaller then the plans. So short in fact, that the laser cut pieces that go around the wing mount in the fuse, are about 1/2" too short! So I get my ruler out and check the 'scale' (printed out 6" ruler) on the plans. That scale is 1/4" too long over that 6" distance. This is pathetic, plans are the wrong size, not even close!. That means I probably have a wing that has a 1/2" or more too much chord. Fitting into the fuse is going to be fun. All this and coupled with the poorly fitting ribs in the wing, and some other parts. Not one of the better fun-fly kits I have had IMHO. I know I will be able to make it all turn out fine, but I shouldn't have too. Especially for how much this kit cost! (yea I know...comes with all hardware...etc... well I would rather buy a short kit that comes with no extras from HSRCM (MUCH BETTER KITS!) and add the equipment I want.
All I can say is that this thing had better fly as well as everyone says it does.
All I can say is that this thing had better fly as well as everyone says it does.
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From: Bellingham,
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wgreffon, you are right, I didn't think about the ribs being laser cut, they should keep the chord to the right size. But the wing is probably longer then it should be...but not the end of the world. Still.....I consider the plans to be more then a 'little' off, They shouldn't be so far off. There have been just so many little things here and there, that could have been so done better, that its starting to annoy me. Maybe I am just getting spoiled by the awesome quality of some other kits on the market. Some you just throw the wood in the air, and out comes a plane. My last plane I built was a seduction wild style. The way that plane goes together is simply amazing.
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From: Pampa, TX
I've heard a couple of guys say their Sledge didn't fit up right, but mine was pretty nice, in fact I think it was actually great.
Sorry to hear yours didn't fit right and hope it flys good.
I was sure hoping to get a few flights on mine before it goes to Houston...still have two weekends...hope springs eternal!!!
Sorry to hear yours didn't fit right and hope it flys good.
I was sure hoping to get a few flights on mine before it goes to Houston...still have two weekends...hope springs eternal!!!
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From: Georgetown,
IN
KevinS, you are not having good luck. Sorry for the less than expected experience with your sledge. As most of you know, plans are taken to a facility where they are copied from a master. Unfortunately, any copying within 2% is considered good. The sledge plans are approximately 48" long, a complete 2% error could result in a .96" deviation from actual size. Most always the plans print out right on scale, that is the reason for the ruler at the bottom of the plans, to make sure they are correct. In your case Kevin, they were not and it should have been caught before leaving Morris. Mistakes happen, that does not justify it but it happens. I recommend you contact Morris and handle this problem, they usually make good on kit shortcomings. I am confident in its capabilities but I cannot control kit quality. I hope this at least makes you feel better about your experience and that all future dealings with Morris kits will be more of the norm. Feel free to email me at [email protected] if you have any questions. Thanks, Jeff Williams, sledge designer.
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From: Spencerport, NY
I'm surprised you HAVEN'T taken this issue up with Morris.
I've made a few copies of plans in my day, and it's true that they don't always copy perfectly. The gripper wheels slip on the original, or push it through too fast. Same kind of thing can happen when the copy is printing out. It's something that you can't really do anything about. Eliminating that last 2% of deviation would've consumes 98% of the development time and budget... and made the printers prohibitively expensive.
In the case of laser cut parts, I'd just use the plans as a rough guide for the final shape, and trust the accuracy of the parts and the designer.
I've made a few copies of plans in my day, and it's true that they don't always copy perfectly. The gripper wheels slip on the original, or push it through too fast. Same kind of thing can happen when the copy is printing out. It's something that you can't really do anything about. Eliminating that last 2% of deviation would've consumes 98% of the development time and budget... and made the printers prohibitively expensive.
In the case of laser cut parts, I'd just use the plans as a rough guide for the final shape, and trust the accuracy of the parts and the designer.



