Author Topic: My First "I" Beam (Read 15265 times)

Michael Roberts · « **on:** December 31, 2013, 08:44:28 AM »

Techniques... Advice... Comments appreciated... Mike

john e. holliday · « **Reply #1 on:** December 31, 2013, 09:08:05 AM »

Just read the book several times and then read again. Bobby Hunt had a great video on doing I-Beam wings. Just have to have a big flat surface and lots of patience. Alignment of the jigs is important. Keep us posted on the progress.

Michael Roberts · « **Reply #2 on:** December 31, 2013, 09:46:40 AM »

"Doc", will do and thanks... mike

John Kelly · « **Reply #3 on:** December 31, 2013, 09:53:38 AM »

... Hey Michael, BRODAK ARES? Might wanna check motor mounts. Looks like the glue's on the 3/8" , not the 1/2" side.

Michael Roberts · « **Reply #4 on:** December 31, 2013, 10:43:03 AM »

John, yes an ARES... and I thought for sure that was how the plans showed them glued-in...Now you got me worried...

Mike

Michael Roberts · « **Reply #5 on:** December 31, 2013, 08:32:02 PM »

John, thanks for pointing that out about the motor mounts...1/8" alum. Pads will put the engine back on the center line... do you think I should add some small brace's from motor mounts to plywood doublers?
Mike

EddyR · « **Reply #6 on:** December 31, 2013, 09:03:55 PM »

The way you are building it the body may be to wide. It should be just wide enough to slide in a 2"" tank You can notch out the mounts to fit the motor. The plans may say to glue in the spar but having built many I/beams it is best to not do it until the wing is all capped. If the body and the end plates are pined to the building board the spar can not move Also it is much easier to mount the bell crank KNOW. I always mount the bell crank before installing spar into the body. If the body is to wide none of the former's or top and bottom block are going to be wide enough. You are going to need to pull the back of the body together before you glue in the trailing and leading edge.
In the pictures below the bell crank is behind the spar. Mount yours in the spar as the plans show. Also many including Billy Werwage uses this method of mounting the landing gear. Mounting it on the spar is much more difficult. The spar is not glued in yet in these pictures. Hope the pictures help.
Ed

Michael Roberts · « **Reply #7 on:** January 01, 2014, 05:51:13 AM »

Ed, thanks...sent you a message...mike

Michael Roberts · « **Reply #8 on:** January 01, 2014, 08:23:18 AM »

Ty, thank you for your advice and input...mike

RogerGreene · « **Reply #9 on:** January 02, 2014, 10:23:04 AM »

I do like 'I' beam stunters and I have built several. Just a thought on your landing gear. The torsion bar should go horizontal, with the "I" beam so on take off and landing the gear will take the shock. You have the torsion going vertical which will cause a sidewise motion and/or bounce to the left or right side.

Again just a thought.

~ Roger

Michael Roberts · « **Reply #10 on:** January 03, 2014, 08:23:48 AM »

Got a little done last night... this is not a speed build... enjoying every moment...
Thanks guys for ALL your advice and input... Mike

Michael Roberts · « **Reply #11 on:** January 05, 2014, 06:18:12 PM »

Got a little done this evening...

EddyR · « **Reply #12 on:** January 06, 2014, 10:28:10 AM »

Above I showed one method using a plywood plate like the ones that billy showed in his USA/1 but I have not used that method in several years. I have switched over to the landing gear block method in all my old I beam models. The gear exits in the same spot as the original but it is very light and the removable gear is much better. A pavement and a grass gear can be made and then changed as needed. Here is a old I/beam updated.

Michael Roberts · « **Reply #13 on:** January 06, 2014, 11:15:16 AM »

Thanks Ed...I might just give that a try...I like the idea of being able to switch L . G . for different terrain.
Mike

RogerGreene · « **Reply #14 on:** January 07, 2014, 10:34:50 AM »

Removable gear is the best. If grass site use longer and pavement use shorter.

Roger

Michael Roberts · « **Reply #15 on:** January 11, 2014, 08:17:38 PM »

I just want to say thank you to everyone for your support, advice, and comments
It's been a crazy work week and have not been able to work on the plane...
So... I thought I would do a little "mock-up" and take a few pic's... Mike

Michael Roberts · « **Reply #16 on:** January 11, 2014, 08:24:01 PM »

Another view...

Michael Roberts · « **Reply #17 on:** January 20, 2014, 04:11:43 PM »

Finally... got to work on the plane ...
Laminating some 1/32" sheets for the turtle deck

Michael Roberts · « **Reply #18 on:** January 26, 2014, 07:36:16 PM »

O.K... since I messed-up in the beginning and glued-in the motor mounts on the 3/8's side not the 1/2" side...

thank you John for pointing that out...lol... I knew I would need to build-up the motor mounts by 1/8" to put the motor back on the thrust line so... I laminated 4-1/32" birch plywood sheets together to make a strong,fairly light engine crutch...plus 2-1/32" laminated plywood sheets across the top ... I know it's overkill... and adding weight... but it's going to be" stout "...

john e. holliday · « **Reply #19 on:** January 27, 2014, 08:57:58 AM »

I would have went with 1/8 inch aluminum pads on the engine mounts. Plywood will compress over time.

Michael Roberts · « **Reply #20 on:** January 27, 2014, 06:54:49 PM »

Mounted engine tonight... with just "a-touch" of outward thrust...

Michael Roberts · « **Reply #21 on:** January 31, 2014, 09:54:46 PM »

O.K. got to work on the plane this evening...

Removable landing gear blocks installed...
Comments / Suggestions.... mike

Michael Roberts · « **Reply #22 on:** January 31, 2014, 09:58:23 PM »

Another view

Bill Little · « **Reply #23 on:** February 01, 2014, 10:17:23 AM »

Hi Michael,

Next time, instead of putting the bell crank shaft through the I-Beam, mount it directly behind the beam suspended between two 1/8th ply platforms epoxied to each fuselage side and to the beam. It will move the bell crank about 1/2" behind the beam, but that will not hurt anything.

BIG Bear

Michael Roberts · « **Reply #24 on:** February 01, 2014, 05:53:20 PM »

Ty... it's there...remember the video I sent you?

Michael Roberts · « **Reply #25 on:** February 01, 2014, 07:47:41 PM »

Here it is...

Michael Roberts · « **Reply #26 on:** February 03, 2014, 08:42:57 PM »

Added some braces...

Michael Roberts · « **Reply #27 on:** February 04, 2014, 01:37:03 PM »

I was surprised how much "stiffer" the ribs got after installing the extra braces

Bill Little · « **Reply #28 on:** February 08, 2014, 04:36:25 PM »

Quote from: Ty Marcucci on February 04, 2014, 01:15:03 PM

Just for info, the braces are not necessary if the secondary (rear) spar is installed. Both keep the ribs from collapsing wing the wing covering shrinks.

Hi Chief!

The rear spar gives the wing a bit more torsional strength. Not so much needed on an Ares size model but Billy told me to NOT leave it out of the USA-1.

Bill

Michael Roberts · « **Reply #29 on:** February 09, 2014, 06:08:34 PM »

Just Dreaming...

Michael Roberts · « **Reply #30 on:** February 11, 2014, 03:53:23 AM »

O.K...fuselage bulkheads and taper plates are in..."STIFF AIR FRAME"

Michael Roberts · « **Reply #31 on:** February 11, 2014, 02:05:42 PM »

Hi Ed....
No glue.... tank will be adjustable and removable....
From the L.E. of fuselage to cowl will be able to be removed...

Mike

Michael Roberts · « **Reply #32 on:** February 16, 2014, 04:50:09 AM »

Another "crazy" work week... just not enough "hours in a day"...

But, stayed up till midnight and got a little carving and sanding done...

Michael Roberts · « **Reply #33 on:** February 18, 2014, 04:22:48 PM »

More carving and sanding...

Michael Roberts · « **Reply #34 on:** February 18, 2014, 04:25:48 PM »

Another angle...

Bill Little · « **Reply #35 on:** February 18, 2014, 05:41:16 PM »

Hi Michael,

If that is a Super Tigre .46 (and it sure looks like it), it should be interesting. If you are planning to fly the full pattern, you will have to remove the LE between the fuse sides, box the area, to be able to get enough fuel tank in there. That has been done many, many times. The spar is the real strength to the wing versus the LE.

BIG Bear

Michael Roberts · « **Reply #36 on:** February 18, 2014, 05:57:49 PM »

Hey Bill,
Yes it's a S.T.46...

Here's an older foto with the 5.5oz. tank in place...

Bill Little · « **Reply #37 on:** February 18, 2014, 06:22:50 PM »

Quote from: Michael Roberts on February 18, 2014, 05:57:49 PM

Hey Bill,
Yes it's a S.T.46...
Here's an older foto with the 5.5oz. tank in place...

Hi Michael,

I could not tell from your last pictures that the LE was cut out. See that you have so disregard! LOL!!

Bill

Michael Roberts · « **Reply #38 on:** February 18, 2014, 06:58:05 PM »

Bill,
Always appreciate your suggestions/ comments/ advice...
Mike

Bill Little · « **Reply #39 on:** February 18, 2014, 08:49:00 PM »

Hi Michael,

We have scratch built (from Billy's plans) a couple of '59 Ares. A 2" wide tank would never fit. we always used a 4 1/2 oz. narrow wedge. Is yours a narrow tank?

Thanks
Bill

Michael Roberts · « **Reply #40 on:** February 19, 2014, 04:07:32 AM »

Bill,
No it is not a narrow tank...
It is a 5 & 1/2 oz. Magnum ... 2" wide..
Before I started this plane I had some ideas of what I wanted...
(THEY MIGHT NOT HAVE BEEN THE BEST IDEAS)...
But,, it's what I wanted...
The fuselage is "a fat" 2" inside from the main spar area forward...
So, I have alittle room to play with...
The nose ring (in the last pic's I posted) started out at 2 & 1/2" wide...
tapering down to a 2" spinner... it will have a longer / smoother taper when finished...

Bill Little · « **Reply #41 on:** February 19, 2014, 07:11:33 AM »

Hi Michael,

Thanks for the answer. Nothing wrong with doing that. Sounds like you will have a nice stunter when done!

Bill

Bill Little · « **Reply #42 on:** February 19, 2014, 12:48:50 PM »

Quote from: Ty Marcucci on February 19, 2014, 08:22:44 AM

Makes sense to make the fuse wider so both the ST .46 and the fuel tank will fit. Actually that is pretty much a standard, though seldom mentioned , practice.
Eddy R. and Bill Little have built and flown more I beamers than I have or will ever have. so do listen to them.. I know for a fact they know of which they speak.

Hi Chief,

The money is on its way! Thanks for the kind words. (we might have to renegotiate the terms payment for your building me up!)

BIG Bear

Michael Roberts · « **Reply #43 on:** February 19, 2014, 01:43:08 PM »

Bill...
This is not the time or place to renegotiate contracts....

Go start you own "thread"...LOL
Mike

Michael Roberts · « **Reply #44 on:** February 19, 2014, 02:50:58 PM »

Quote from: Ty Marcucci on February 19, 2014, 08:22:44 AM

Eddy R. and Bill Litte have built and flown more I beamers than I have or will ever have. so do listen to them.. I know for a fact they know of which they speak.

It's nice to know I've got one, two, or all three of you trying to keep me " on-track "

Later...mike

Michael Roberts · « **Reply #45 on:** February 19, 2014, 08:31:10 PM »

Nose is starting to take shape...

Michael Roberts · « **Reply #46 on:** March 05, 2014, 03:31:35 AM »

Finally... All done painting on the house

Now... back to the fun stuff

Fuel tank compartment done...

Michael Roberts · « **Reply #47 on:** March 05, 2014, 03:34:14 AM »

Another view...

Michael Roberts · « **Reply #48 on:** March 05, 2014, 03:35:39 AM »

One more...

Michael Roberts · « **Reply #49 on:** March 13, 2014, 04:00:30 PM »

Crazy work weeks...

A touch more "tweeking" and I think the cowl will be ready...

Michael Roberts · « **Reply #50 on:** March 13, 2014, 04:47:23 PM »

Well... let's get with mister...lol
Sorry to here you had a rough day flying last time you were out..."OUCH"

I would have been sick if I lost 2 planes...
Later.... Mike

Michael Roberts · « **Reply #51 on:** March 14, 2014, 05:31:15 PM »

Ty...
14 Flyers hanging on the wall...
4 under construction...
Now, I don't feel so bad for you...

Mike

john e. holliday · « **Reply #52 on:** March 20, 2014, 08:20:38 PM »

Only 14 hanging on the wall.

Michael Roberts · « **Reply #53 on:** April 03, 2014, 04:24:53 AM »

O.K....

Could not get the fiberglass cowl to fit right... file "13"

Built a "MAGNUM" style... not enough material around exhaust manifold... it broke...
Scratch that one...

Michael Roberts · « **Reply #54 on:** April 03, 2014, 04:28:05 AM »

Let's try again...

Still needs a little work...

Michael Roberts · « **Reply #55 on:** June 14, 2014, 06:36:13 PM »

O.K. maybe this one

Spending the summer in Maine with my 90 year old Dad...
No more building for awhile...
Ya'll have a great summer...
Later, Mike

Michael Roberts · « **Reply #56 on:** June 14, 2014, 06:40:33 PM »

Another view...

EddyR · « **Reply #57 on:** February 02, 2016, 05:44:42 AM »

Was the plane ever finished?