Fin Mounting
 

I'm about to mount the fin on my 4*40 and i was wondering if anyone had a genius idea for supports or something for while the glue is drying. The last few I've mounted we're cumbersome and I don't really remember how I did it...I was thinking of some triangle stock...but then it'll get stuck to the stab most likely. Any ideas people? Thanks, Shaun.

RE: Fin Mounting
 

It's pretty easy to mount the vertical fin. Use masking tape to hold the fin in place while the epoxy dries. Run tape from the fin down to the edges of both sides of the horizontal stabilizer. See the attached picture.

Hope this helps.

Ken

RE: Fin Mounting
 

On a crash that had knocked the tail off I used 1/8” dowels to get the alignment correct and wood screws from the bottom for the clamping action. The dowels and screws allowed several trials to check alignment. The screws can be removed after the epoxy has set but not fully hardened.

Bill

RE: Fin Mounting
 

I used two 2" lengths of bamboo cut from a bamboo skewer to strengthen the joint. I embeded the skewers about 1 1/2" into the verticle stab, and 1/2" into the fuse. For the alignment while glueing, I used tape as RCKen shows.

Scott

RE: Fin Mounting
 

you can also take some stiff card board and a square, cut it into a 90 degree triangle, cut a semicircle out of the bottom and fold the side 90 degrees and the clam it to the fin and stab.

RE: Fin Mounting
 

I have mounted numerous fins from the fleet of free crashed airplanes that I have acquired. I have been using toothpicks, using the same principal that woodworkers used to edge join boards (dowels). I start off using a cut off T pin inserted into the fin with about 1/8 exposed, get the lateral alignment correct press the fin on for hole location to the stab/fuse and drill holes (slightly smaller in diameter than the toothpick) in the fin and the stab/fuse. Insert the toothpicks with epoxy and epoxy the fin. I use masking tape as pictured in RCKens post, to maintain alignment. makes for a strong bond.
-Tom

RE: Fin Mounting
 

I sometimes use a modified plastic carpenter's square (the small one that you can put in a tool belt). I've cut cut a half circle into the 90 degree corner. I think I paid $2.00 for one. The cut out will allow you to use on your planes for years. It will always insure that your horz. stab and vertical stab are 90 degress to each other.

RE: Fin Mounting
 

i use a 30-60-90 triangle with a cut out at the 90 degree side to clear the prutruding fuselage.i use two together one on each side of the fine while the glue dries.

RE: Fin Mounting
 

Hi!
Just eyeballing and CA glue!

Regards!
Jan K
Sweden

RE: Fin Mounting
 

here is what i do , now im no expert but i find this works really well for me...

i mark out the centerline on the horizontal and drill 2 holes , one at the front one at the back , so that a peice of piano wire is a tight fit , the peice of wire is about an inch long , then i press and ca the wire into the holes on the horiz , mark the posistion on the centerline of the vertical and the right spacing just by laying it flat on one side of the horiz to mark the posistion , then drill holes in there ,,, next , put the epoxy on the horiz along the centerline , then .. put ca on the tips of the two wire peices sticking up. then quickly push the vertical down onto the wire. if you dont do it quick enough the ca sometimes sets before its snug home.. anyway , i find that the ca sets almost instantly and holds it rock solid , then you can just adjust it a bit after checking with a square and it will hold it rigid as anything until the epoxy dries