stunthanger.com

Building Tips and technical articles. => 1/2 A building. => Topic started by: Larry Renger on November 07, 2012, 07:39:19 PM

Title: Grass strip carrier deck from Political signs
Post by: Larry Renger on November 07, 2012, 07:39:19 PM
I have taken a bunch of the coroplast political signs and hinged them together with duct tape (not DUCK tape) to form a nice takeoff "deck".  I cut a taper of 1/2" off each end, and that gives the perfect curve for 40' to 50' lines.

Put two edges together and tape them tight.  Fold them back and put a tape around the joint.  You now have a nice hinge in one direction.  Reverse for the next panel and you get a fan-fold set that becomes very compact. 

The signs are 24" x 18", so you can use 8 hinged on the 18" side to get a 12" ramp.  Andy B is going to make a wider ramp hinged on the 24" side for more width. He will need about 12 panels, and I am going to calculate the cut to match 60' lines.

Since we fly a bunch of electric on a local soccer field, having a takeoff strip works out great!
Title: Re: Grass strip carrier deck from Political signs
Post by: Stan Bidowski on November 07, 2012, 09:11:11 PM
That's a great idea.  Good use for what would otherwise be wasted. 
A lot lighter than having to haul out a plywood deck if one just wants
to get a practice session in.  y1
Title: Re: Grass strip carrier deck from Political signs
Post by: Michael Alurac on November 07, 2012, 10:00:38 PM
I grabbed a dozen or so political signs today. I went back later after work for 3 very large 4 x 8 corplast signs near the Fullerton airport and our meeting place at AFI and the city of Fullerton had already taken them down. Well anyway picked-up 12 sheets of political sign coroplast to build with for the time being.

Plan on building a stuntable version of Larry Renger's new ET-1 for starters. Was also thinking of proposing a club junk yard fun fly using some these recycled signs. Just a fun thought...

Mike
Title: Re: Grass strip carrier deck from Political signs
Post by: Andrew Borgogna on November 08, 2012, 10:01:52 AM
We grabbed a few yesterday on the way to the field.  I got the cut measurment for Larry this morning so I just need to fire up the band saw and start cutting!
Andy
Title: Re: Grass strip carrier deck from Political signs
Post by: jim gilmore on November 08, 2012, 01:03:05 PM
what good would a (12") ramp be ??? maybe you mean 12' ?
Title: Re: Grass strip carrier deck from Political signs
Post by: john e. holliday on November 08, 2012, 07:58:53 PM
I think his kyboard has the same problem mine does.  See what I mean when I typed keyboard.  These things have a miond of their own, I beleive.   Even after proof reading and having someone else read my posts, I still miss something while getting ready to hit the post icon.
Title: Re: Grass strip carrier deck from Political signs
Post by: Paul Smith on November 09, 2012, 04:56:31 AM
I was thinking of building a dog house with the stuff.  Triple-thick it should be well is insulated.

I wonder what the fuel will do to the art work on the signs?  I guess I should test that.  I have enough signs in the back yard.  Be sure your choice of candidates doesn't offend the park board.  Is you choice of a "deck candidate" an endorsement or an insult?
Title: Re: Grass strip carrier deck from Political signs
Post by: Michael Alurac on November 09, 2012, 09:05:47 PM
I've seen it at a recent KOTRC.org club meeting and yes it's 12' nicley angle cut at the seams to lay with a slight radius when laid out flat.

That's a good point Paul regarding the political content. We have been painting over them when finished for the most part but I'll attach a sign that worked wonderfully well as it was. I created the ACP-12 based on this very simple design.
Title: Re: Grass strip carrier deck from Political signs
Post by: Larry Renger on November 11, 2012, 10:48:08 AM
Painters Choice goes on just fine and is fuel resistant.