After much searching, and posts here, I could not find a leading edge for my current project.

I need a 1/2" by 1" LE.

As I thought about it, I realized: "Duh, it's a semi-circle, that shouldn't be so tough."

My current plan is to get 1/2" x 1" rectangular stock, and cut/sand it to a semi-circular shape.

I'm thinking I can get a small length of PVC pipe with an inside diameter of 1". Cut it in half lengthwise, and glue sanding paper to the inside curve.

Thinks I don't know.

1. Is PVC pipe with an Inside diameter of 1" available. I'm guessing 1-1/2" ID pipe would work suffice.
2. What kind of adhesive could I use to affix the sandpaper to the inside of it? (Brands/links please)
3. Will this work????


Thoughts????


TIA

Lyndon

I have had to sand a lot of square stock to shape for a leading edge. I have always just glued the square stock onto the leading edge, shaved some of it to shape, and sanded to shape. Balsa USA may have soem LE stoack that big but I am unsure.

As for the PVC I have never tried it and it seems like a good idea to try. You could try and get some regular 8X11 sandpaper and some spray on adhesive stick it to the inside of the PVC.

Unless the LE is for a flat plate wing, it will be the wrong shape with the same size pipe method. Most leading edge high points are somewhat below center, and the upper side is at a different angle. For a symetrical LE, you'll want to use a pipe with a larger I.D. than your LE, so there is still an angular match to the wing ribs.

3M spray 77 adhesive works very well (basically rubber cement in a spray can)

I always just free hand it. Doesnt take that long using a razor plane to rough it out then use a sanding block with about 80 grit aluminum oxide paper stuck on. Long strokes give a pretty consistant form.
Edwin

Ditto. Just glue the stock on, then plane & sand to shape. use the longest sanding bar you have.

The inside pipe idea is good, but I wodul go with a large ID, and use 1/3 of it as your sanding bar, as opposed to 1/2. YOu'll get more use out of it, adn won't be 'pinned' to a certain size.

Also, you can make card templates (cut out) for teh LE profile. Make a few, one for the root, one for the tip, and one, two, three for teh center sections. Then just sand to match teh template

use teh

Ditto the razor plane and a LONG sanding block (12" to 18"). I like the self-stick sandpaper that comes in rolls. You can buy aluminum "T" or "L" extrusions at Lowes or Home Depot and stick it to those, or break down and buy the "Easy-Touch" blocks from Great Planes.

They even have one with contours.

Great Planes makes a handy litle contour sander that uses the adhesive back sanding paper they make for their bars. You just make a small plug to set the contour add the sandingpaper and start sanding. They are handy for scratch building.

[quote]ORIGINAL: vmsguy

After much searching, and posts here, I could not find a leading edge for my current project.

I need a 1/2" by 1" LE.

As I thought about it, I realized: "Duh, it's a semi-circle, that shouldn't be so tough."

My current plan is to get 1/2" x 1" rectangular stock, and cut/sand it to a semi-circular shape.

I'm thinking I can get a small length of PVC pipe with an inside diameter of 1". Cut it in half lengthwise, and glue sanding paper to the inside curve.

Thinks I don't know.

1. Is PVC pipe with an Inside diameter of 1" available. I'm guessing 1-1/2" ID pipe would work suffice.
2. What kind of adhesive could I use to affix the sandpaper to the inside of it? (Brands/links please)
3. Will this work????

Thoughts????


The PVC will work (as long as it's straight)... this is the same general prinicipal of these:
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...CH=bar+sanders
They even sell sandpaper to fit.. but I never need it that long. Mine has a couple V grooves (great for beveling rudders, etc, and half round though not as big as you will need.
I use what I call 3m tacky spray to hold it in place. A light dusting is also great for holding fiberglass cloth in place prior to resin, etc.
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...EARCH=3m+spray
home depot, etc carries it

Mike

Make a male mold out of whatever, Wrap the mold with saran wrap. Take as many pieces of 1/32 balsa as you want for the thickness. Wet them down with water with a little simple green added. As soon as they become limp and fexable, stick them together with titebond(don't over do it) and fold them around your form. Wrap tightly with strips of an old bedsheet and let dry. Cut out supporting little riblets and glue inside, then cap the back with a strip of appropriate thickness sheet. You have a light, strong, stiff leading edge.

I have done leading edges before that were pieces of square stock glued to ribs. I used razor planes to get close then sanded with a block wrapped with sandpaper and use a sanding template to make sure the shape was correct.

Run a suitably sized round over router bit down each side. Done.

Definately glue the rectangle stock on first; that way you're assured to have enough wood on the topm and bottom to form. AFter drying, assuming, perhaps it is planked, rough-form it with the pre-mentioned plane, then you could lightly hold the wing between your legs, take 1 foot or so lenght of 150 grit sand paper, and lightly sand it perpandicular to the grain back and forth working your way down the L.E. you'll be able to alter the pressure and radius by viewing how close you're getting to the planking on both top and bottom.