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Building Tips and technical articles. => Building techniques => Topic started by: Paul Taylor on June 12, 2011, 12:54:09 PM

Title: Bottom block ?
Post by: Paul Taylor on June 12, 2011, 12:54:09 PM

I hope I explain this right. I am at the point of attaching the bottom block to the fuse. I blanced the board to find the heavy end. Do I use the heavy end for the tail of the plane or the belly pan?

This is for a Vector with a stock LA 46 w/ tube muffler.

Title: Re: Bottom block ?
Post by: john e. holliday on June 12, 2011, 01:14:18 PM

Put the heavy end to the center of gravity.  Of course at the tail end you may get rid of more wood during carving.  ::)

Title: Re: Bottom block ?
Post by: Wynn Robins on June 12, 2011, 02:23:25 PM

as Doc said - put it closer to the CG - you will be hollowing it out anyway - (between the formers) per the plan right?  so you will take a fair bit out weight out of it anyways

Title: Re: Bottom block ?
Post by: Paul Taylor on June 12, 2011, 06:13:58 PM

Thanks Doc and Wynn!!!

Let the sanding began.

Title: Re: Bottom block ?
Post by: john e. holliday on June 13, 2011, 08:41:33 AM

Also remember as Windy says on one of his tapes, "It aint thin enough until you go thru the surface".   Have a good light bulb to hold the wood up to.   Then you can see how thin you are getting.   H^^

Title: Re: Bottom block ?
Post by: FLOYD CARTER on June 13, 2011, 11:30:40 AM

It is disturbing to have someone pick up your plane, and their fingers go right through the wood!  My blocks never go less than 1/4" thick.  Carving thinner will save a few grams, but your plane might be too fragile.  If you have to cover your wood with fiberglass and epoxy for strength, you really haven't saved any weight.  With some substance in my structure, I can use carbon veil and dope over the wood, which is a lightweight finish.

Floyd