AR-6 Construction Thread
12-08-2012, 10:31 AM
#52
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Fritch,
TX
Posts: 2,060
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: AR-6 Construction Thread
In case you didn't catch on. Here is the second wing being glassed.
1) Begin by tacking on a piece of window sheer over the top surface of the ailerons. The purpose is to provide a hinge surface.
2) Tack a layer of 1.6 ounce fiberglass cloth over the entire surface of the wing.
3) Tack another layer of 1.6 ounce fiberglass cloth over the wing tips.
4) Tack a wide (15.5") piece of fiberglass cloth around the center of the wing.
5) Follow with 3 more layers of fiberglass cloth (each getting gradually narrower) around the center of the wing.
6) Mix about 1.5 ounces of finishing epoxy. Add 10% more 91% alcohol to thin the epoxy. Drizzle this over one side of the wing and use a squeegee to spread out the epoxy. Do the other side the same way.
7) Place the wing between layers of nylon fabric (peel ply).
1) Begin by tacking on a piece of window sheer over the top surface of the ailerons. The purpose is to provide a hinge surface.
2) Tack a layer of 1.6 ounce fiberglass cloth over the entire surface of the wing.
3) Tack another layer of 1.6 ounce fiberglass cloth over the wing tips.
4) Tack a wide (15.5") piece of fiberglass cloth around the center of the wing.
5) Follow with 3 more layers of fiberglass cloth (each getting gradually narrower) around the center of the wing.
6) Mix about 1.5 ounces of finishing epoxy. Add 10% more 91% alcohol to thin the epoxy. Drizzle this over one side of the wing and use a squeegee to spread out the epoxy. Do the other side the same way.
7) Place the wing between layers of nylon fabric (peel ply).
12-08-2012, 10:34 AM
#53
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Fritch,
TX
Posts: 2,060
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: AR-6 Construction Thread
More pictures:
8) Put the wing in the vacuum bag and apply about 5" Hg vacuum to the wing.
9) It's cold so the vacuum bag was placed between layers of electric blanket. This warms the epoxy enough that it dries.
8) Put the wing in the vacuum bag and apply about 5" Hg vacuum to the wing.
9) It's cold so the vacuum bag was placed between layers of electric blanket. This warms the epoxy enough that it dries.
12-09-2012, 10:48 AM
#55
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Weatherford,
TX
Posts: 579
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: AR-6 Construction Thread
ORIGINAL: sahartman21
Gary provided some background on the AR-6. The Sportsman Pilot article is real interesting.
Thanks Gary!
Gary provided some background on the AR-6. The Sportsman Pilot article is real interesting.
Thanks Gary!
You're Welcome, Have Fun!
12-09-2012, 03:53 PM
#56
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Fritch,
TX
Posts: 2,060
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: AR-6 Construction Thread
On a recent project the first flight showed that there was a slight twist in the wing.
I chose to check the wing on the AR-6 before proceeding to the next steps.
Should there be a twist, it can be removed by heating the wing (with a heat gun or heater like shown here) and twisting it in the opposite direction of the twist.
Remove the wing from the heat and continue holding until the wing is cool.
Recheck the wing at several locations to confirm the wing is straight.
I chose to check the wing on the AR-6 before proceeding to the next steps.
Should there be a twist, it can be removed by heating the wing (with a heat gun or heater like shown here) and twisting it in the opposite direction of the twist.
Remove the wing from the heat and continue holding until the wing is cool.
Recheck the wing at several locations to confirm the wing is straight.
12-12-2012, 09:53 AM
#60
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Fritch,
TX
Posts: 2,060
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: AR-6 Construction Thread
ORIGINAL: PylonDave
Scott, On the kitchen table ??? Must be cold in the garage!! :-)
Scott, On the kitchen table ??? Must be cold in the garage!! :-)
I didn't think the epoxy would dry in the cold garage, so I brought the wings inside to dry.
12-12-2012, 09:55 AM
#61
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Fritch,
TX
Posts: 2,060
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: AR-6 Construction Thread
I used a Dremel tool to remove the majority of excess epoxy & micro-balloon mix. This was followed by using a scrapper blade to bring the surface flush.
12-12-2012, 10:00 AM
#62
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Fritch,
TX
Posts: 2,060
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: AR-6 Construction Thread
The wings weigh in at 14.95 and 15.4 ounces. Both are relatively light and allow a couple ounces for a painted finish.
My wings are ready to fly at nominally 19 to 21 ounces with the servo.
My wings are ready to fly at nominally 19 to 21 ounces with the servo.
12-12-2012, 05:09 PM
#63
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Fritch,
TX
Posts: 2,060
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: AR-6 Construction Thread
Lightweight Spackle is spread over the surface of the wing fill low spots.
The surface immediately in front of the hinge material (window shear) should be filled in this step.
The surface immediately in front of the hinge material (window shear) should be filled in this step.
12-14-2012, 12:43 PM
#66
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Fritch,
TX
Posts: 2,060
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: AR-6 Construction Thread
A Dremel tool and cutoff disk are used to cut the hole for the horizontal stabilizer.
Fiberglass and carbon fiber dust is present during the cutting. I used a respirator to protect my lungs.
Fiberglass and carbon fiber dust is present during the cutting. I used a respirator to protect my lungs.
12-15-2012, 09:41 AM
#68
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Fritch,
TX
Posts: 2,060
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: AR-6 Construction Thread
The tail surface is shaped in the following pictures. Most of the actual shaping was done with a sanding block with coarse sandpaper (80 grit).
12-15-2012, 05:20 PM
#69
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Fritch,
TX
Posts: 2,060
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: AR-6 Construction Thread
The following pictures shows the installation of skinned hinge and fiberglass cloth on the tail surface:
A piece of window sheer (chiffon) is tacked to the tail surface.
Pieces of 1.6 ounce fiberglass cloth are tacked over the window sheer and other side.
Apply finishing epoxy over the surface of the cloth. A plastic squeegee is used to spread out the glue.
Tail surfaces are placed between layers of peel ply (nylon fabric).
A piece of window sheer (chiffon) is tacked to the tail surface.
Pieces of 1.6 ounce fiberglass cloth are tacked over the window sheer and other side.
Apply finishing epoxy over the surface of the cloth. A plastic squeegee is used to spread out the glue.
Tail surfaces are placed between layers of peel ply (nylon fabric).
12-15-2012, 05:21 PM
#70
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Fritch,
TX
Posts: 2,060
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: AR-6 Construction Thread
More pictures:
The vacuum bag is made from 4 mil thick pieces of plastic tarp.
A layer of paper towel is applied on top of the surface before closing the bag.
Latex caulking is used to seal the edges.
The vacuum pump is set to pull about 5" Hg.
It is cold outside and therefore the parts were placed between layers of electric blanket to raise the temperature enough that the epoxy will dry.
The vacuum bag is made from 4 mil thick pieces of plastic tarp.
A layer of paper towel is applied on top of the surface before closing the bag.
Latex caulking is used to seal the edges.
The vacuum pump is set to pull about 5" Hg.
It is cold outside and therefore the parts were placed between layers of electric blanket to raise the temperature enough that the epoxy will dry.
12-16-2012, 08:13 AM
#71
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2006
Location: rancho cucamonga,
CA
Posts: 469
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: AR-6 Construction Thread
ORIGINAL: sahartman21
The following pictures shows the installation of skinned hinge and fiberglass cloth on the tail surface:
A piece of window sheer (chiffon) is tacked to the tail surface.
Pieces of 1.6 ounce fiberglass cloth are tacked over the window sheer and other side.
Apply finishing epoxy over the surface of the cloth. A plastic squeegee is used to spread out the glue.
Tail surfaces are placed between layers of peel ply (nylon fabric).
The following pictures shows the installation of skinned hinge and fiberglass cloth on the tail surface:
A piece of window sheer (chiffon) is tacked to the tail surface.
Pieces of 1.6 ounce fiberglass cloth are tacked over the window sheer and other side.
Apply finishing epoxy over the surface of the cloth. A plastic squeegee is used to spread out the glue.
Tail surfaces are placed between layers of peel ply (nylon fabric).
Scott , is this a 1/4 inch balsa stab ??
12-16-2012, 08:17 AM
#72
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2006
Location: rancho cucamonga,
CA
Posts: 469
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: AR-6 Construction Thread
Oh I see that it is 3/8 inch. Sorry
I wonder about sandwiching some 1/64 ply between say two 1/4 inch light balsa pieces to create a little thicker airfoil.
Have you ever tried that ?
I wonder about sandwiching some 1/64 ply between say two 1/4 inch light balsa pieces to create a little thicker airfoil.
Have you ever tried that ?
12-16-2012, 10:47 AM
#73
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Fritch,
TX
Posts: 2,060
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: AR-6 Construction Thread
ORIGINAL: PylonDave
Oh I see that it is 3/8 inch. Sorry
I wonder about sandwiching some 1/64 ply between say two 1/4 inch light balsa pieces to create a little thicker airfoil.
Have you ever tried that ?
Oh I see that it is 3/8 inch. Sorry
I wonder about sandwiching some 1/64 ply between say two 1/4 inch light balsa pieces to create a little thicker airfoil.
Have you ever tried that ?
Initially I was apprehensive about shaping the 3/8" balsa sheet. It was actually easier than I thought and the second tail surface was shaped in about 20 minutes. The razor plane and sanding block work wonders on balsa.
12-16-2012, 10:55 AM
#74
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Fritch,
TX
Posts: 2,060
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: AR-6 Construction Thread
The tail surfaces were removed from the vacuum bag.
I cut off the caulking so it doesn't get it all over.
Use a sanding block to trim the edges and smooth out the surface.
I cut off the caulking so it doesn't get it all over.
Use a sanding block to trim the edges and smooth out the surface.