Build gurus HELP!!!
 

Ok...I am building a fuse for an old Magic wing I had collecting dust in my workshop (ok, it's more of a garage but....) and I am noticing that it seems pretty flexible from side to side. I can hold the front of the fuse and move the tail feathers back and forth MUCH more then I think I should be able to and I can also twist a little. Is this normal? I've never built a profile fuse before. I think I'm going to sheet it with some thin ply (I'm putting an Irvine 53 on it so I'm not as concerned with the weight) but not sure yet. I will attempt to attach a picture. It's a bit of a monster garage type plane in that the wing is from a Magic and the tail feathers are from a long since departed Kyosho Cap. So I've named her a Magicap Pro. It'll probably end up being a pile of sticks in the dirt but I wanted to at least attempt to do something with these parts just to see if I could. So, all of you build gurus, I need some advice, thoughts, opinions and any other words of wisdom. THANKS!!

Mike

RE: Build gurus HELP!!!
 

you can sheet the framework to help stiffen it up.... Maybe 1/16 inch stuff would work......... That is how a lot of profiles are built. you typically only see open frame work on a burrito or taco where there is a carbon fiber tube going down the length to provide the strength it needs.

rcam

RE: Build gurus HELP!!!
 

Thanks! I was thinking nothing more then 1/16th ply should be needed. I still have some changes I need to make to the tail feathers so that everything has full range of motion but it's getting there. I also have to cut hatches in the wings for electronics. The tank is going outside. Thanks again for the comments and PLEASE kkep them coming. I truely appreciate all opinions.

Mike

RE: Build gurus HELP!!!
 

Hey Mike, how is Las Vegas? Didn't escape from the heat did you:D. I almost have the Topcap ready to maiden this weekend!

RE: Build gurus HELP!!!
 

Vegas is nice...a bit hot at times, but it's a dry heat :D Actually, your body gets acclimated pretty quickly. Now, anything in the 90's feels good. It doesn't start getting hot until above 103ish. I LOVE the fact that we don't have to be club members here to fly because all Fields are owned and run by the city. I just wish there were some Pro Bros out this way. Oh well, maybe my Magicap will help convert some...I can wish can't I? Let me know how that Topcap performs for you. I hope to have my plane in the air in the next week or so. Good luck with your Topcap.

Mike

RE: Build gurus HELP!!!
 

I usually get out that way a time or 2 a year. Lack of vacation is gonna hinder me now. I met a couple of locals, mainly large scale guys that fly out at the lakebeds.

It gets hot in Vegas?? Never noticed, almost always AC where I be. I sure miss the TOC, always a good excuse to go to Vegas, that and $79 ea way tickets on SW [8D]

RE: Build gurus HELP!!!
 

Hey Chuck, why don't you come out to Fresno and fly? I think you should be there for the maiden of the Topcap:D:D:D

RE: Build gurus HELP!!!
 

I'd stay away from the ply, except for the nose doublers.....

If your structure is made from 1/4" sticks, you should sheet with some 3/32" or 1/8"..
If the structure is 3/8", then sheet with 1/16"

Then sheet the nose with some 1/8" lite ply.. Just go back to the leading edge of the wing.

Looks like it will be fun!!

RE: Build gurus HELP!!!
 

News flash: Fresno ain't Vegas.

RE: Build gurus HELP!!!
 

Thanks Paul for the advice!! The only reason I was thinking ply was to really stiffen it up but if the balsa sheeting will work, it'll save me some weight and money because I have enough ply for the nose but would need to by some for the fuse. I'll try using the balsa sheeting and just use ply for the nose. Worse case scenario, I route a slot in each side and glue in some carbon or aluminum rod. I don't want a 10lb plane but I also don't want something that will break apart in flight becuase it is too weak. You are a build guru so I will go with your advice. Thanks again and PLEASE keep the thoughts coming.

Mike

RE: Build gurus HELP!!!
 

[/quote]

News flash: Fresno ain't Vegas.
[/quote]

THANK GOD FOR THAT!!! Sorry Shortman...just not a big fan of the central valley...ok, not really fond of much Between San Diego and Lake Tahoe, except Napa...Not really sure I'm that fond of Vegas either but I would rather be here than the Central Valley. No offense to you though :D

Mike

RE: Build gurus HELP!!!
 

You could run some CF strips along the structure under the sheeting at the trailing edge of the wing... That's always a trouble area for profiles.

RE: Build gurus HELP!!!
 

Yeah, but I'd rather be stuck in Vegas for a weekend as opposed to Fresno :D For the species of Party Animal know as Chuckaugeris Maximus, Vegas is as close to the perfect habitat as has been found on this planet....


Ehh..Don't worry about offending Shorty..he's used to it! :)

RE: Build gurus HELP!!!
 

Don't get me wrong...Vegas is a BLAST as a vacation spot!! Just as an everyday, gotta live here kinda place, it's not my favorite. There isn't even one thing I could put my finger on as to why but I don't see us living here forever.

Paul...good idea with the CF strips. I'll look at the LHS next time I'm there. I know that is a vulnerable spot on profiles so I'm gonna try to make it strong there...which means it'll break at the end of the srtong point instead of right past the trailing edge. CF strips might help though. Thanks again!!

Mike

RE: Build gurus HELP!!!
 

Haha Chuck, yeah Fresno sucks, but its home. Something about it, I can do anything here. The beach is 2-3 hours away, Snowboarding or going Snowmobiling is an hour away, going to the lake and wakeboarding or fishing or intertubing is 15 minutes to an hour away depending what lake you choose. Just can't do all that with Vegas. Oh and most importantly, year round flying:D:D:D

RE: Build gurus HELP!!!
 

Shortman...in the winter, skiing is 30 minutes away, along with snowmobiling (granted, it's not Olympic quality but it's better then nothing). Beach is 4-5 hours (Ocean that is) Boating, wakeboarding, fishing, etc 30 mins away (Lake Mead)...Year around flying here too...if you fly in the morning or evening during summer, same as Fresno. What beach are you getting to in 2 -3 hours from Fresno? As far as location goes, Vegas is in a pretty good location as far as outdoors activities goes. Within a couple of hours in any direction you have a multitude of options, housing is CHEAP compared to CA...plus casinos and legal houses of illrepute :D JK....Honey, if you read this, I have NEVER even driven past one of those places...I've only ever driven through Fresno and have never stayed any longer then to get gas but I understand the feelings about it because it is home.

Mike

RE: Build gurus HELP!!!
 

Shorty..The Party Animal species Chuckaugeris Maximus cares little about those things when he goes to Vegas. Chuckaugeris Maximus is a mostly nocturnal species, and if seen during the day it will usually be in a place that is not exposed to direct sunlight. Chuckaugeris Maximus subsists mainly on adult beverages while in it's preferred habitat of lounges, casinos, and strip clubs, although has been occasionally spotted drinking beer in broad daylight.

RE: Build gurus HELP!!!
 

Shortman...Chuck wont live long enough to witness the first flight of the Top Cap....he probably pushing at least 45 ( and that is being kind) but there is no way he will make it past 90 with his life style...:D

RE: Build gurus HELP!!!
 

How would or should I go about finding an appropriate CG for this monster? Should I use the CG from the Magic or is there some formula I can apply to figure out where I should set it. Thanks for all of the continued help and words of wisdom.

Mike

RE: Build gurus HELP!!!
 

A rough number would be 30% of the wing cord from the leading edge... That would be a good place to start.

RE: Build gurus HELP!!!
 

Pushing 45?? :D KIND?? :D

Look at the bright side..I will be eligible for Senior Citizens rates by the time that TopCap flys!

I can see it now.. "Here we have one of the last people still alive that were living when Shortman started the TopCap. ChuckAuger, who recently celebrated his 127th birthday by going to Vegas, where he won enough money shooting craps to hire 14 hookers."

RE: Build gurus HELP!!!
 

Thanks again Swany!! Once again you have come through...and Chuck has proven that it is probably a good thing he lives as far from Vegas as he does...14 hookers just isn't good for the ol' ticker :D

RE: Build gurus HELP!!!
 

Yeah, but what a way to go out......Back, Back in the Saddle Again..............

RE: Build gurus HELP!!!
 

I realize that this response may be late, but Paul is absolutely right - do not sheet with ply except at the nose with lite ply. I recommend that you sheet the fuse with 1/16" balsa at a 45 deg. angle relative to the bottom of the fuse, then sheet the opposite side of the fuse 90 degrees to that. This really stiffens up the fuse without having to add the CF strips and will take out that potential torsional twist. I've also taken a gun drill and drilled the fuse and added a CF rod down thru the fuse and into the trailing edge of the wing to stiffen a fuse up.
Hope that this helps - Sorry - potentially too late!
Kevin :D

RE: Build gurus HELP!!!
 

Remind me to tell you about the $25K night some time (not my $$!;))