Assembly mistake
 

I was busy putting together my Stick 60 yesterday and got in a hurry due to having some epoxy sitting and ready to put on the plane. I got the wings done etc and had some more epoxy so decided to install the vertical fin. So I buttered up the thing stuck in the slot and after a hour remembered that I did not strip off the covering on the vertical stab. So there it is nicely placed into the slot , dried epoxy and the covering holding it. Now there is some bare balsa in the slot but I now fear strength is compormised. Will it last or as I think, a very nice plane in the trash? One would think the instructions would mention things like this. This mannual is so bad I called the place where I bought it and complained and his comment was "not worth a damn are they?" Not everyone is a master builder and I should have know better but haste makes waste as it is said. Give my supissions a reply. gphil

RE: Assembly mistake
 

Actually, you are probably OK. I'm getting lazy and have done this several times on purpose with no problems. I would fly it and repair it if it comes loose.

RE: Assembly mistake
 

I agree it will probably be OK, if you are worried, you could, if possible drill a 1/8" dia hole through the fuselage and the verticle Stab, and glue/pin it with a 1/8" dia dowel, cut flush with the fuselage.

RE: Assembly mistake
 

Thanks guys........... I also had a suggestion to take some balsa and lay it in the space between the fuz and vertical..... filler like quarter round.   I did check it out and seems tight.

RE: Assembly mistake
 

You might could take a new #11 blade and skin off maybe 1/16" of covering right at the root of the fin.  Then let some thin CA wick down in there.  But I agree, it'll probably hold.  I wouldn't wring it out the first couple flights until I brought it down and gave it the "wiggle test".  :)

RE: Assembly mistake
 

Take hold of the fuselage and give a good tug on vertical stab. If it stays in place than you'll more than likely be good in the air. If it doesn't stay in place you can clean up the break, remove the covering, and the glue it back in place.<div>
</div><div>Hope this helps</div><div>
</div><div>Ken</div>

RE: Assembly mistake
 

"It" being the entire plane, not just the fin.

RE: Assembly mistake
 

Things tend to come loose before they fall off so IT would be the stab. IT is just something to keep your eyes on over time.

RE: Assembly mistake
 

Do you feel lucky?

If so, just leave it as it is and fly the plane. Fix if things deteriorate.

Do you feel unlucky?

Take the least painful route - remove covering next to fin and whatever surface buts next to it - either top of fuse or stab - epoxy a triangle balsa fillet on each side, maybe 1/2" triangle or so. Put on some covering and fly the plane with no more worries. Forget about it forever more.

RE: Assembly mistake
 

In my opinion that is exactly what you do, carefully strip away some convering from the stab and the fuse and use some 1/4 triangle balsa stock to act as fillets and expoy in these triangle fillets and you are golden, when the epoxy cures from glueing those in you take you some covering and carefully cover up to blend in to the existing stab and fuse. If you wish a picture let me know and ill be happy to post one for you.

RE: Assembly mistake
 

I hope you've learned not to rush when assembling critical structures. Best to take a breath, step back, then continue.

RE: Assembly mistake
 

I hate wasting epoxy and usually find myself looking for something to "glue" together when I have extra left over after a mix. I see how this could happen. You want to hurry so expoxy doesn't cure so you make mistakes by rushing to glue parts together. I find that I have to mix epoxy usually around half a dozen times during a build so what I am trying to say to all the noobies is be patient and expect to stock up on brushes.

chad<br type="_moz" />

RE: Assembly mistake
 

If the covering was not completely wrapped around the very bottom of the Vrtical Stab and it was bare balsa, I would think you are good enough. But like was suggested, things usually loosen up before coming off, so just keep an eye on it.</p>