HOW TO ACHIEVE STRAIGHT LINES OVER THE EDGE?
 

Greetings,

I am in the process of recovering my GP Spad and I am using Ultracote. I am trying to leave a 1/8" overlap over the fuse but I can't cut it straight enough. I can make it straight by leaning my blade against the fuse but the overlap is too thin resulting in peeling when I have to use the heat gun (after the model is painted, using the iron is out of the question). There is a tool made by TF but I wonder if there are any other techniques or tools that I can use? BTW I can't believe GP is still doing their models with MK. That stuff is so SUBSTANDARD! DP

RE: HOW TO ACHIEVE STRAIGHT LINES OVER THE EDGE?
 

Lots of tools, not many actually work.

This one actually does work well and if I understand what you are trying to achieve it is the one you should buy. I know it's a lot of money for a small chunk of aluminum but it works and easily too.

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXL791&P=ML

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RE: HOW TO ACHIEVE STRAIGHT LINES OVER THE EDGE?
 

I've looked at that harry higley piece a few times with interest... but like you say it's a lot of splash for a bit of aluminium. I'd love to hear from someone who actually uses this and get some opinions & techniques for it.

RE: HOW TO ACHIEVE STRAIGHT LINES OVER THE EDGE?
 

There are a couple of tricks here.

First, any critical lines should be cut before the covering is applied. For example, if I were covering a fuse like the pic below, I would do it in 5 sections. First the bottom, then each lower side and finally, the top (in two pieces).

Only the bottom seams on the top pieces are critical (where the two colors meet) the other seams will blend into each other. So after applying the three bottom pieces, line up the side of the top piece and iron it in place. Now you have a straight line with no cut needed.

Also, when using Ultracote, make your overlap more than 1/8". I would go at least 1/4"... 3/8" would be even better.

Next... When heating, point the heat gun away from any edges whenever possible. If it's not possible, lay a wet paper towel over the seam to keep it cool.

RE: HOW TO ACHIEVE STRAIGHT LINES OVER THE EDGE?
 

Minn is right about the overlap. 1/8" on Ultra is way to small. Something else you can try. I did a camo job for a guy once. I seamed it all together on a sheet of glass and then put the whole thing as a unit on the plane. I have tried the TF tool. Save your money, or send me a prepaid envelope and you can have mine.

David

RE: HOW TO ACHIEVE STRAIGHT LINES OVER THE EDGE?
 

1/8" is not enough to keep the seams down.
I've used that harry higley trimmer and as far as I'm concerned, it is the only thing that'll give you an actual straight line seam. I've tried the sharp knife routine and could not keep a straight line. The HG trimmer, while outragous in cost, does work well.

RE: HOW TO ACHIEVE STRAIGHT LINES OVER THE EDGE?
 

I have read several comments about the TF trimmer. Unfortunately, it was after I bought one. I have found it to be pretty much useless for most situations. I haven't sprung for the Higley piece yet, But I probably will before I start covering my Stearman.

RE: HOW TO ACHIEVE STRAIGHT LINES OVER THE EDGE?
 

I like the Higley trimmer too. I thought it was a little overpriced and tried to make one out of HDPE. It wasn't worth the effort and didn't work quite as well as the real thing. The Higley trimmer works very well.

RE: HOW TO ACHIEVE STRAIGHT LINES OVER THE EDGE?
 

I'll agree on the Higley trimmer as well. I tried all the others and that is the one that I still use. It does take a little practice to get the hang of using it, but once you  have it down it's very easy to get nice straight lines with it.

ken

RE: HOW TO ACHIEVE STRAIGHT LINES OVER THE EDGE?
 

Well....

I bought the TF tool and it don't work squatt! It gives the same result as if I try to cut a straight line being blindfolded. DP

RE: HOW TO ACHIEVE STRAIGHT LINES OVER THE EDGE?
 

I have had the TF tool for almost 20 yrs. I think I have used it 3 times & I still wonder why I keep it. It is just about useless for what I'm trying to do. I also saw the H.H. one but decided to make my own out of a peice of maple motor mount stock from an old kit. I just made the cuts with my band saw & hold the razor with a 4/40 allen head screw w/washer & a blind nut counter sunk into the bottom. It is nice hard wood, smooth finish, does not hurt covering & works like a charm. I also made a smaller one with a #11 blade in it to use in small, tight area's. Ken is right, it does take a few tries to get good with it, but I'll never use anything else ever again. Bill.

RE: HOW TO ACHIEVE STRAIGHT LINES OVER THE EDGE?
 

Can one of you guys post a pic of the Higley trimmer? I've never seen one.

David

RE: HOW TO ACHIEVE STRAIGHT LINES OVER THE EDGE?
 

Here you go



Ken

RE: HOW TO ACHIEVE STRAIGHT LINES OVER THE EDGE?
 

Those who have success with the HH tool apparently all say "It takes a litle getting used to...." I have one and gave up on it a couple of years ago. It looks like it should work just fine, I just failed to "git 'er done." I usually couldn't get the right "start" on the cut I was trying to make. On the few occassions when I did, I have to say that it worked well. What is the trick? Dzl

RE: HOW TO ACHIEVE STRAIGHT LINES OVER THE EDGE?
 

Hmm, I have to admit, looking at that HH one, I would think it'd be pretty easy to whip one up from a block of wood or something. As long as it's a smooth surface, shouldn't hurt the covering. I need to do some trims like this, wonder what I can find that I can try building one out of.

RE: HOW TO ACHIEVE STRAIGHT LINES OVER THE EDGE?
 

Maybe I'm making this too simple, but when I do a fuselage joint and want some overlap, I temporarily pin a 1/4" (or 3/8" if you want) wide balsa strip along the seam line, pull the Ultracote over it, then cut the film the lenth of the strip with a razor blade. Pull the pins, remove the balsa strip, and there's your overlap.

RE: HOW TO ACHIEVE STRAIGHT LINES OVER THE EDGE?
 

16 Bucks seems like a lot for the HH Cutter. I have two on them and wouldn't use any thing else. Of course then I've had them far a long long time. 10 bucks comes to mind but I could be wrong. Like I say it was a long long time ago. As a general rule, Harry Higley makes no junk!

RE: HOW TO ACHIEVE STRAIGHT LINES OVER THE EDGE?
 

Hello

I think if you CA the blade to a piece of flat wood then you have the HH trimmer? I think the goal is to glide the blade along the fuse for a cut so as long as that is achieved, it should do the trick? On my model, at the bottom I cut a 1/8" strip and then iron over the jagged overlap so the only really visible thing is the straight 1/8" strip. I think by the time I paint, flat coat then weathering, it won't be as visible. However, on the top sides are different story. I need to make my cut as perfect as possible or else it will look sloppy. DP

RE: HOW TO ACHIEVE STRAIGHT LINES OVER THE EDGE?
 

The wood would have to slip very easily along the covering and be able to take some abuse.
Notice the groves along the bottom to provide clearance for the covering. There are several to provide a new sharp blade edge. Notice the blade screwed on so it can be reversed to provide a new sharp edge.

RE: HOW TO ACHIEVE STRAIGHT LINES OVER THE EDGE?
 

I don't know what their thinking was when they designed the tool, so I can't say if this is part of what they intended. But IMHO the weight of the metal of the tool is part of what helps it work so well. The weight helps to keep the tool from wandering as you move the tool along and cut the covering materials.

Ken

RE: HOW TO ACHIEVE STRAIGHT LINES OVER THE EDGE?
 

A question about use. Does one make an exacto cut to make an end which can be started through the slot? Otherwise, don't you have to shove the tool into the edge of the uncut material and risk the chance that you will "bunch" it up? Dzl

RE: HOW TO ACHIEVE STRAIGHT LINES OVER THE EDGE?
 

Sometimes when using the HH cutter I start in the middle of the cut at the edge of the covering and cut toward the LE, TE or whatever at a shallow angle and cut till the tool reaches and merges with the LE or TE or whatever then runs along that surface to the end. Then you run it along the same surface in the opposite direction back to the other end. I know this sounds strange but it works rather easily and ends up dead on straight.
Another huge advantage of the HH tool is it uses many different parts of the razor blade so you get a lot more use out of the same blade. If you cut with just the end point of the razor you only have two parts and when they get dull your done with that one.
I am glad I didn't have to pony up the big bucks to get mine, man 16 bucks each has gotta be like 5 six packs of bear!

RE: HOW TO ACHIEVE STRAIGHT LINES OVER THE EDGE?
 

I often do as Mr. Gordon and start somewhere in the middle and cut out to the ends. The real trick seems to be holding the entry point of the covering taut to get the initial cut going.

I can't, however, get beer that cheap [:o]

RE: HOW TO ACHIEVE STRAIGHT LINES OVER THE EDGE?
 

I also use a trim cutter I made to start the cuts at the ends of the covering. It makes the H.H cutter easier to insert at the ends of the covering. Works so well that at times, its all I use. Bill

RE: HOW TO ACHIEVE STRAIGHT LINES OVER THE EDGE?
 

Ok, Weasel ya got me, I quit drinking beer about 10 years ago when I found out I was diabetic. What's the going price now?