adding weight
06-08-2003 | 06:26 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
From:
adding weight
What's the best way to attach a little weight to a finished airplane? I just need to put one relatively small washer on one wing tip and another under the tail. How should I fasten these to the exterior of the plane?
06-08-2003 | 06:33 PM
#2
My Feedback: (13)
adding weight
I would try and find away to get them inside the plane. A small covering patch looks better than a washer hanging off it.
If you want to still use the wahers I'd just screw them in. Might have to use smaller washers, or maybe none if the screw is heavy enough.
If you want to still use the wahers I'd just screw them in. Might have to use smaller washers, or maybe none if the screw is heavy enough.
06-08-2003 | 07:46 PM
#3
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
From:
adding weight
CHassen:
Is there any practical way to attach the weight temporarily, so that I can see how it trims out in flight, before cutting open the covering to affix the weights inside?
Is there any practical way to attach the weight temporarily, so that I can see how it trims out in flight, before cutting open the covering to affix the weights inside?
06-09-2003 | 12:32 AM
#6
My Feedback: (22)
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,972
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
From: Houston, TX
adding weight
I drill a hole and poor in epoxy and lead shot. This is very heavy stuff and it doesn't take up much room. Balsa block wing tips are great for this. I balance the plane with a little shot sitting in a pill container. When equilibrium is established, weight the lead and container to determine their combined weight. Reduce this by 1/4 of an ounce to compensate for the weight of the epoxy. Drill, poor, recover. The bottom of the tips is best and virtually unnoticed. If lead is needed in the tail of the airplane , I generally add it before final assembly.
06-09-2003 | 06:05 PM
#7
Senior Member
My Feedback: (1)
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,176
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
From: St Louis, MO
adding weight
The thought of adding weight makes my teeth curl up! NONE of my planes have any extra weight added. Yet some people have weights everywhere you look. I just don't get it. 
If you think CG is that critical, consider that it moves a half inch or more as fuel is burned off. Can you really tell that if flies different at the end of the flight? I usually can't.
OK, I realize it must balance within the recommended range. But I don't understand the need to add a couple washers.
Tom
If you think CG is that critical, consider that it moves a half inch or more as fuel is burned off. Can you really tell that if flies different at the end of the flight? I usually can't.
OK, I realize it must balance within the recommended range. But I don't understand the need to add a couple washers.
Tom
06-09-2003 | 06:38 PM
#8
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,439
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
From: BONAIRE,
GA
adding weight
Originally posted by greenboot
If you think CG is that critical, consider that it moves a half inch or more as fuel is burned off. Can you really tell that if flies different at the end of the flight? I usually can't.
Tom
If you think CG is that critical, consider that it moves a half inch or more as fuel is burned off. Can you really tell that if flies different at the end of the flight? I usually can't.
Tom
