Author Topic: Flap alignment widget! (Read 4622 times)

Larry Renger · « **on:** September 06, 2017, 05:28:34 PM »

Here is a handy alignment tool these old eyes need to get flaps lined up.

1" lengths of angle stock, some carbon rod, your favorite glue and a couple of clamps.

Works on tapered surfaces and for elevators too, of course!

Enjoy!

Phil Krankowski · « **Reply #1 on:** September 06, 2017, 07:55:53 PM »

I like it. I use cloths pins with (straight) bamboo skewers glued on to improve telegraphing of small trim changes on my sail plane. This might be better, and is definitely worth whipping up a pair.

Phil

Target · « **Reply #2 on:** September 06, 2017, 09:21:03 PM »

Pretty crafty, Mr Renger!

I like that they can be used vertically or horizontally also. Makes sense because you cannot use them effectively on the flaps any way but vertically.

Vr,
Target

Paul Seeley · « **Reply #3 on:** September 07, 2017, 01:27:33 AM »

Pretty neat idea - I'll make some up myself

big ron · « **Reply #4 on:** September 07, 2017, 06:18:16 AM »

These are magnetic work good also

Gerald Arana · « **Reply #5 on:** September 07, 2017, 09:37:48 AM »

Quote from: big ron on September 07, 2017, 06:18:16 AM

These are magnetic work good also

Plane looks a little BIG. Does it pull hard?

Jerry

Larry Renger · « **Reply #6 on:** September 07, 2017, 09:57:58 AM »

Clamped to the trailing edges instead of the flaps, you should also see wing warps!

big ron · « **Reply #7 on:** September 07, 2017, 11:49:16 AM »

Quote from: Gerald Arana on September 07, 2017, 09:37:48 AM

Plane looks a little BIG. Does it pull hard?
Jerry

YEP

Larry Renger · « **Reply #8 on:** September 07, 2017, 10:41:48 PM »

The key is to get the indicator rods out where you can see them parallel at right angles to the surface. Straight back won't do it for flaps, you have to clear the fuselage. In the case of the elevator, flip the model upside down to clear the vertical tail.

I did try clamping to the trailing edge and that worked just fine too. Also one at the root, one at the tip to check each wing independently. Double stick tape works if clamps are inconvenient.

They are so easy to make, I may make another set so I can check the entire wing at once.

Don Jenkins · « **Reply #9 on:** September 08, 2017, 04:17:21 AM »

Hey, if you left them installed when you fly, would they work like vortex generators? LOL, great idea, nice job!

Don

big ron · « **Reply #10 on:** September 08, 2017, 07:09:02 AM »

Quote from: Larry Renger on September 07, 2017, 10:41:48 PM

The key is to get the indicator rods out where you can see them parallel at right angles to the surface. Straight back won't do it for flaps, you have to clear the fuselage. In the case of the elevator, flip the model upside down to clear the vertical tail.

I did try clamping to the trailing edge and that worked just fine too. Also one at the root, one at the tip to check each wing independently. Double stick tape works if clamps are inconvenient.

They are so easy to make, I may make another set so I can check the entire wing at once.
[/quoteWith the magnetic ones you can clamp small angle on flaps and use them the same way

Larry Renger · « **Reply #11 on:** September 14, 2017, 05:14:38 PM »

My rods keep popping off rhe aluminum angles. CA clearly is not the answer. Recomendations anyone?

The widgets are really handy as long as they stay together. 3 of them will let you evaluate the straightness of an entire wing, one at the root, either side of the fuselage, one at each tip. 4 is more fun.

Actually, my Ringmaster is accurate at the tips, but there is a sag in the outboard wing trailing edge that needs a trim tab for correction. $:-\$

If you don't have the right clamps, Scotch double stick tape can do the job to stick the widgets where you want them. Good excuse to really clean your wings.

Phil Krankowski · « **Reply #12 on:** September 14, 2017, 06:02:50 PM »

JB weld on freshly abraded bright aluminum.

If that fails, tie it on like old school landing gear.

Phil

Larry Renger · « **Reply #13 on:** September 15, 2017, 09:09:31 PM »

Good suggestions, but I am thinking of a fitted wood panel over the rod to give a huge bonding surface.

The only critical thing is that the rod be accurately controlledl with the vertical surface of the angle piece. It need not be perfectly at right angles to the bottom surface as long as it is consistent.

Juan Valentin · « **Reply #14 on:** October 26, 2017, 04:43:26 PM »

Is a great idea to check flap alignment and the rods will show the misalignment, I have been using bubble gauges from a torpedo level to set my flaps and stationary flaps. Doing the alignment while building will save you the trouble of having to tweak your flaps because your plane is flying with a wing high or low. I level my wings with a Robart incidence meter before gluing the stationary flaps. Here are pics.
juan

Larry Renger · « **Reply #15 on:** October 27, 2017, 08:00:24 AM »

Be sure to check those levels against each other, as I have found some slight variance in the past.

Juan Valentin · « **Reply #16 on:** October 29, 2017, 02:31:42 PM »

Hello Larry
I checked my bubble gauges and they are ok , when both are placed side by side in a level surface they show the bubble centered. On the plus side they are very light and will not cause a deflection on the surface they are placed.
Juan

Larry Renger · « **Reply #17 on:** November 07, 2017, 09:15:05 PM »

Be sure to mark which surface is up, as mine varied, depending on how they were rotated. Once you have a set that matches, you are golden!

I still prefer my widgets, the longer the rods, the more sensitive they are. Mine are roughly 6 in long, but the next set will be about 8 in. And more attention paid to really accurate construction. They will be set in holes in the base of the angle stock and carefully set to vertical relative to the bottom surface. I am sufficiently pleased with the widgets to make a real precision set, probably 4 units.

The first ones certainly did the job I needed, but having that success, why not go for a really precision setup? Once made, forever available!

Larry Renger · « **Reply #18 on:** January 13, 2018, 09:23:34 PM »

Anyone trying this concept out? I have been using them for both wing warps and flap alignment.

With several units, you can see bow in your wing even if the tips align. I find this to be my bogeyman.

Getting a totally straight wing across the entire span seems to escape me.

Gerald Arana · « **Reply #19 on:** January 18, 2018, 09:24:02 AM »

If you don't have the right clamps, Scotch double stick tape can do the job to stick the widgets where you want them. Good excuse to really clean your wings.

[/quote]

Larry, I use plumbers "GOOP" for attaching unlike materials together, i.e., plywood servo mounts to fiberglass glider fuse. It can be peeled off..........but won't come off all at once. It is slightly flexibly and will stick to just about anything. Great stuff.

Jerry