FF Taco CF (carbon fiber)
04-29-2003, 11:40 PM
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Great!
Great flames...and great minds must think alike..I did the same with the CF tube vs the FG rod. Not that I think it needed it, but because I had it and it can't hurt.
I got to get busy on mine again. You give me some inspiration!
I got to get busy on mine again. You give me some inspiration!
04-30-2003, 02:00 AM
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Dan - That looks awesome!!! I love the scheme!!! How did everything go together? Did you have any trouble with the leading edge sheeting? The next set of instructions will have better pictures for that step...
Ulf - I have three kits in stock right now.
Ulf - I have three kits in stock right now.
04-30-2003, 08:39 AM
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FF Taco CF (carbon fiber)
Less seems to be more. Awesome job. Looks like I must have used twice the amount of balsa in mine ! First flight Sunday coming. Not that UK weather is being that kind at the mo.
04-30-2003, 11:02 AM
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Construction
Paul,
It went together great. I was a little worried about the sheeting so I really got it nice and wet. It started to curve the way it needed to without even having to be touched. (I was lucky it didn't bend the other way naturally or putting the sheeting on would have been much more difficult.)
The only problem I have had is getting the bottom and top fuse to line up nice with the engine mount/wing/rod. I had to uncover the fuse pieces a little and razor plane some so that the fit would be tight. Didn't take much time but UNcovering brings tears to my eyes. Great kit. I can't wait to get it in the air. Paul from JustEngines emailed me yesterday and my .25 is on the way. (Accompanied by a .53 for my Ex-treme 330). Thanks and I will post more pics when it is closer to being finished.
Dan
It went together great. I was a little worried about the sheeting so I really got it nice and wet. It started to curve the way it needed to without even having to be touched. (I was lucky it didn't bend the other way naturally or putting the sheeting on would have been much more difficult.)
The only problem I have had is getting the bottom and top fuse to line up nice with the engine mount/wing/rod. I had to uncover the fuse pieces a little and razor plane some so that the fit would be tight. Didn't take much time but UNcovering brings tears to my eyes. Great kit. I can't wait to get it in the air. Paul from JustEngines emailed me yesterday and my .25 is on the way. (Accompanied by a .53 for my Ex-treme 330). Thanks and I will post more pics when it is closer to being finished.
Dan
04-30-2003, 01:21 PM
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FF Taco CF (carbon fiber)
Make sure there is no covering on the part of the fuse that contacts the wing and boom... Otherwise you won't get a good joint.... Your right about there being a little fitting involved with the fuse to wing/boom joint... Seems like everyone is just a little bit different, so it's hard to cut that piece to fit in all cases...
How's the stiffness of the CF Tube? I'm a little concerned that the strength won't be there... Interested to see how it works out...
How's the stiffness of the CF Tube? I'm a little concerned that the strength won't be there... Interested to see how it works out...
04-30-2003, 04:54 PM
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FF Taco CF (carbon fiber)
Originally posted by PaulSwany
How's the stiffness of the CF Tube? I'm a little concerned that the strength won't be there... Interested to see how it works out...
How's the stiffness of the CF Tube? I'm a little concerned that the strength won't be there... Interested to see how it works out...
Certainly not enough difference to compromise the stiffness of the fuse.
05-01-2003, 12:43 AM
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OK..
First off...these numbers are just for comparison. I had to take the powder tray off the scales to keep from *****g them out so the numbers are the weight of the shaft minus the weight of the tray.
The FG rod came in at 445 grains (again, not really the actual weight..just say 445 "units") This would make the rod weigh close to an ounce.
The CF tube came in at 106 "units". About a quarter ounce.
The main reason I wanted to reduce the weight...other than liking light planes..was to make up for the difference in weight between HS-81s and HS-85MG servos.
The FG rod came in at 445 grains (again, not really the actual weight..just say 445 "units") This would make the rod weigh close to an ounce.
The CF tube came in at 106 "units". About a quarter ounce.
The main reason I wanted to reduce the weight...other than liking light planes..was to make up for the difference in weight between HS-81s and HS-85MG servos.
05-01-2003, 01:13 AM
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Thanks Chuck... Good research!! One thing to keep in mind is that the CF tube is likely to be a little more brittle... So if you bouce her around a little, the tube may splinter... but 3/4 of an ounce is 3/4 of an ounce!!
05-01-2003, 12:47 PM
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well, I ordered one also from Paul, and will power it with a Irvine 25 and a Irvine mini tuned pipe. All Hitec 81MG servos, JR slimline 700 rx, and a 720 NIMH 6V battery pack (all AAA batteries) from Batteries America.
Paul, what final weight should I shoot for ? Will the Irvine 25 have plenty of escape power and unlimited vertical ? What prop do you swing with the Taco and Irvine 25 ?
Thanks, now I only have to think of a covering scheme. Might have to copy yours Paul. Hope that is OK. How does the bottom on your FF Taco look ?
Paul, what final weight should I shoot for ? Will the Irvine 25 have plenty of escape power and unlimited vertical ? What prop do you swing with the Taco and Irvine 25 ?
Thanks, now I only have to think of a covering scheme. Might have to copy yours Paul. Hope that is OK. How does the bottom on your FF Taco look ?
05-01-2003, 02:23 PM
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With the gear you're choosing, the finished weight should come in around 2 1/2 lbs. I use a 9 x 5 apc prop on the Irvine .25 and it gives unlimited vertical on the stock muffler. I've also used a 9 x 4 apc...
Feel free to copy my scheme... kinda flatering actually.. I stole it from Gator anyway... The botom is just clear...
Feel free to copy my scheme... kinda flatering actually.. I stole it from Gator anyway... The botom is just clear...
