The Hoosier Dawn Patrol
04-27-2015, 08:15 AM
#179
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Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Northfield Center, OH
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SPAD Update:
I finally got around to making the mold for the radiator cowl. I used rigid polyurethane "prototyping foam" that I got from McMaster-Carr to make the plug. It's kind of expensive but that stuff shapes and sands really nice! It took a few coats of Polycrylic and "high fill" auto primer to get a smooth surface. Then I glued the plug to a board and prepared it for glassing: a coat of spray wax and then 5 coats of PVA mold release sprayed on with the airbrush. I use West systems epoxy for molds and for finished pieces. The first "gel coat" is just a mix of epoxy and microlight filler which is allowed to cure, then 3 layers of glass cloth are applied. Next day the plug gets removed from the mold. Unfortunately, the plug got destroyed in the process but that's OK ...the mold came out good.
If you see anybody asking $50-100 for a fiberglass cowling or $300 for a fuselage, be thankful! It's not rocket science, but it's a long process!
Jim
I finally got around to making the mold for the radiator cowl. I used rigid polyurethane "prototyping foam" that I got from McMaster-Carr to make the plug. It's kind of expensive but that stuff shapes and sands really nice! It took a few coats of Polycrylic and "high fill" auto primer to get a smooth surface. Then I glued the plug to a board and prepared it for glassing: a coat of spray wax and then 5 coats of PVA mold release sprayed on with the airbrush. I use West systems epoxy for molds and for finished pieces. The first "gel coat" is just a mix of epoxy and microlight filler which is allowed to cure, then 3 layers of glass cloth are applied. Next day the plug gets removed from the mold. Unfortunately, the plug got destroyed in the process but that's OK ...the mold came out good.
If you see anybody asking $50-100 for a fiberglass cowling or $300 for a fuselage, be thankful! It's not rocket science, but it's a long process!
Jim
04-27-2015, 11:03 AM
#182
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Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Cincinnati, OH
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Great Job Andy!!
How was the first flight? Do you still get "butterfly's" on the maidens or are you such a seasoned professional that it is just routine for you?
Was our buddy Bob there?
Congrats again.....
My maiden is coming up this Saturday...wish me luck!
Cheers,
HPA
How was the first flight? Do you still get "butterfly's" on the maidens or are you such a seasoned professional that it is just routine for you?
Was our buddy Bob there?
Congrats again.....
My maiden is coming up this Saturday...wish me luck!
Cheers,
HPA
04-27-2015, 11:09 AM
#183
My Feedback: (50)
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Posts: 1,102
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SPAD Update:
I finally got around to making the mold for the radiator cowl. I used rigid polyurethane "prototyping foam" that I got from McMaster-Carr to make the plug. It's kind of expensive but that stuff shapes and sands really nice! It took a few coats of Polycrylic and "high fill" auto primer to get a smooth surface. Then I glued the plug to a board and prepared it for glassing: a coat of spray wax and then 5 coats of PVA mold release sprayed on with the airbrush. I use West systems epoxy for molds and for finished pieces. The first "gel coat" is just a mix of epoxy and microlight filler which is allowed to cure, then 3 layers of glass cloth are applied. Next day the plug gets removed from the mold. Unfortunately, the plug got destroyed in the process but that's OK ...the mold came out good.
If you see anybody asking $50-100 for a fiberglass cowling or $300 for a fuselage, be thankful! It's not rocket science, but it's a long process!
Jim
I finally got around to making the mold for the radiator cowl. I used rigid polyurethane "prototyping foam" that I got from McMaster-Carr to make the plug. It's kind of expensive but that stuff shapes and sands really nice! It took a few coats of Polycrylic and "high fill" auto primer to get a smooth surface. Then I glued the plug to a board and prepared it for glassing: a coat of spray wax and then 5 coats of PVA mold release sprayed on with the airbrush. I use West systems epoxy for molds and for finished pieces. The first "gel coat" is just a mix of epoxy and microlight filler which is allowed to cure, then 3 layers of glass cloth are applied. Next day the plug gets removed from the mold. Unfortunately, the plug got destroyed in the process but that's OK ...the mold came out good.
If you see anybody asking $50-100 for a fiberglass cowling or $300 for a fuselage, be thankful! It's not rocket science, but it's a long process!
Jim
Jim....Jim.....
Stop posting all your own manufacturing! Your killing us!
Just post gluing sticks together to make the rest of us feel we have a chance to be equals...........
Looks fanfreakintastic as usual JIM!
HPA
04-27-2015, 03:17 PM
#185
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Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Northfield Center, OH
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Great Job Andy!!
How was the first flight? Do you still get "butterfly's" on the maidens or are you such a seasoned professional that it is just routine for you?
Was our buddy Bob there?
Congrats again.....
My maiden is coming up this Saturday...wish me luck!
Cheers,
HPA
How was the first flight? Do you still get "butterfly's" on the maidens or are you such a seasoned professional that it is just routine for you?
Was our buddy Bob there?
Congrats again.....
My maiden is coming up this Saturday...wish me luck!
Cheers,
HPA
04-29-2015, 11:08 AM
#190
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: menominee, MI
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Good God Paul what have you built now. The Tripe has an older Zenoah 74cc twin converted to modern electronic ignition, swingin either a 26 x 6 or 28 x 6 or 8, depends on weather and what kind of flyin I want to do.
Nice to hear from ya. The Camel is next to fly
Wild Bill
Nice to hear from ya. The Camel is next to fly
Wild Bill
05-01-2015, 05:18 AM
#195
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: , NY
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05-01-2015, 11:53 AM
#197
Just trying to be helpful .....
Cheers.
Art
PS the Tripehound is a beast to transport (hint, hint)