What is the best way to shave off 1/16" of balsa sheeting to place the 1/16" ply inserts forming the trailing edge hinge-line overlap?

I have trouble thinking of an easy/ precise technique.

THNX 4 helping

Vasek, could you please restate the problem. I'm having trouble visualizing what you are asking.

Ditto, and what kit is it?

What is the sheeting thickness to start with? I think I know what you are doing & I think it`s best to start thin & build it up instead of cutting it down, right??>>>>>>>big max 1935

Sorry guys, I can't find a pic...so lets start over:

When the ailerons are hinged on Robart type hinges AND the leading edge of the aileron is sanded ROUND, the 1/16" (or is it 1/32"?)plywood "extension" of the trailing edge of the wing overlaps the hinge-line gap (space). I hope this is clear(rer).

When you see a darker band in front of an aileron on a sheeted foam wing; that's the 1/16" flush plywood insert in the (1/8")balsa. In order to have the plywood flush with the balsa sheeting, one has to make a 1/16" groove (the width of the plywood stripe) in the surface of the wing (top AND bottom).

Lots of warbirds AND jets use this technique to "seal" the gap between a moving (control) surface and a fixed one.
A PICTURE IS WORTH 1 000 WORDS: but if you don't have one... :stupid: !

If someone knows what I'm refering to: please, please, post a pic!

SO I'm looking for a technique to do that.

THNX

I use a small router. I use a steel straightedge taped to the wing as a guide.

The larger the wing the better this works as the airfoil shape on smaller wings may not allow the router base to sit flat on the wing.

Of course you need to set the depth of the cutter properly to get the right depth. It's always better to be a bit deeper than necessary than shallow as you can sand the difference flat easily.

sorry pics didn't show...

the pics don't work...

THNX branded for the info, what router do you use?

I use a small RYOBI laminate trimmer with a Variac to control the speed.....

THNX branded

I don`t see where it would be any problem to start with 1/16" sheet the length & width of the 1/8" & add your ply wood on top of that & 1/16" balsa in front of that, all together you will end up with what you want.You could build this separate ,sand it ,then glue to wing.>>>>>>>>>>big max 1935

Use 1/64 ply with the grain running the same as the chord of the wing. You can glue it on without having to remove any of the balsa sheeting. Then use some balsa filler to blend it into the wing. I have done this on a couple of award winning warbirds.

THNX Ksonn, I'll try that. I've seen your P 47 so I know it works!

By-the-way has anyone used the Great Plane POWER PLANE for etching a groove? Does it work well?