Author Topic: If you had a choice ... Fillets ? (Read 3303 times)

Rob Killick · « **on:** May 14, 2008, 03:03:02 PM »

Hi ,

I've been using Epoxy-Lite for fillet material , but I still have misgivings about using it .
I've never tried leather fillets and was wondering if you can blend and feather them into the mating surfaces ?
My real question is this ...

If you had two choices of fillet material , what would you use , leather or Epoxy-Lite ?

Rob K.

Albert Kraus · « **Reply #1 on:** May 14, 2008, 03:58:03 PM »

Leather

RC Storick · « **Reply #2 on:** May 14, 2008, 04:10:55 PM »

Epoxy-o-lite and micro balloons

Rob Killick · « **Reply #3 on:** May 14, 2008, 08:45:06 PM »

Howdy ,

Thank you gentlemen ...

I'll try leather on my next project and still soldier on with the Epoxy-Lite (with micro balloons , next time) .

Rob K.

Randy Powell · « **Reply #4 on:** May 14, 2008, 09:03:20 PM »

Neither. I'd use SuperFil. It's the best out there as far as I'm concerned.

steve pagano · « **Reply #5 on:** May 14, 2008, 09:15:14 PM »

Quote from: Randy Powell on May 14, 2008, 09:03:20 PM

Neither. I'd use SuperFil. It's the best out there as far as I'm concerned.

Randy I was gonna use SuperFil for the first time to do the fillets on my sv tonight but didn't get around to it any advice on how to get to lay down smooth. I usually smooth it in with my finger but the superfil seems like it is to tacky to do so. How do you apply?

Bryan Higgins · « **Reply #6 on:** May 14, 2008, 09:26:29 PM »

Hi Rob

I use Super-Fill . After many failed attempts at trying to get just the right
fillets and then the material not drying fast enough i finally came across
Super-Fill on this site.

It is easy to apply and dries in hours not days. Sanding is the best thing,
It sands real nice.
Bryan

Randy Powell · « **Reply #7 on:** May 15, 2008, 10:28:23 AM »

Steve,

I use a ball bearing glued to a stick (I actually drill a hole in surface and screw in a post now). I dip it in acetone and run it down the fillet (tip from Derek Moran). Works really well. The challenge is getting the stuff slopped in there without putting on too much. After I get the surface of the fillet so it looks decent, I take a small spatula (actually a piece of 1/8" plywood that is sharpened at one end like a spatula) and scrap off the excess where the fillet feathers to the surface.

As noted, the stuff sands really easy so it's not too tough to smooth it all out at the end. And it's LIGHT.

gary tultz · « **Reply #8 on:** May 18, 2008, 08:05:05 AM »

Super Fil is the best. I mix it, take a glob in my hands and roll it between my palms into a rope.(I'm not kidding, it works) Lay it in the wing root, then use tap water in a bowl and a plastic spoon to shape it. Any liquid and tool shape will work as stated above. Water and a spoon works for me. Rainman aka Gary T.

Clint Ormosen · « **Reply #9 on:** May 18, 2008, 11:40:16 AM »

Quote from: Rob Killick on May 14, 2008, 08:45:06 PM

Howdy ,

Thank you gentlemen ...

I'll try leather on my next project and still soldier on with the Epoxy-Lite (with micro balloons , next time) .

Rob K.

If you're going to try leather fillets, contact Bill Saywer at Windancer Models. He has several sizes of fillets and complete "how to" instructions for them. You can find Windancer Models in the vendor section of this site.

Lauri Malila · « **Reply #10 on:** May 18, 2008, 02:50:17 PM »

Hi.

Could someone please explain to me what the leather fillets really are and how they are applied? I have never heart of them. Are they really made from leather??
I have allways used balsa for fillets. I could not even think of any other material.

Regards, Lauri

gary tultz · « **Reply #11 on:** May 18, 2008, 08:26:16 PM »

Lauri, the plane in your picture is a beauty. Fillets too.

Rainman aka Gary T.

Lauri Malila · « **Reply #12 on:** May 19, 2008, 04:35:02 AM »

Ok, I understood. Thanks for info. Call me vegetarian, but I'll stay with balsa.

Lauri

Gene O'Keefe · « **Reply #13 on:** May 19, 2008, 06:40:42 AM »

I've tried alot of different techniques. I just got my first batch of Super Fil and am VERY pleased with the results. Very easy to work with and very light. Highly recommended.

Hofmarg · « **Reply #14 on:** May 20, 2008, 06:16:36 AM »

Where is a good place to purchase Super Fil?

Ron

Gene O'Keefe · « **Reply #15 on:** May 20, 2008, 06:47:22 AM »

I bought mine from F & M Enterprises. Their web site is : www.stits.com ... (817) 279-8045 I live in southern Wisconsin, they are in Granbury, Texas -- cost is $19.90 for one quart and shipping cost me $7.75. Great stuff - I'm sure you'll be pleased with it.

Gene O'Keefe

Mike Griffin · « **Reply #16 on:** May 20, 2008, 03:23:50 PM »

You can also buy Super Fil through Aircraft Spruce.

Mike

steve pagano · « **Reply #17 on:** May 20, 2008, 03:38:30 PM »

Quote from: Mike Griffin on May 20, 2008, 03:23:50 PM

You can also buy Super Fil through Aircraft Spruce.

Mike

I also prefer Aircraft spruce because i get 1 gallon containers of butyrate dope for $40 bucks When other places want 20 buck for a quart.

Don Hutchinson AMA5402 · « **Reply #18 on:** May 20, 2008, 04:40:02 PM »

Go to www.polyfiber.com and you can find locations where you can purchase Randolph clear and colored dopes as well as Super-Fil. Might be one right in your area that you were unaware of. These are "mixing dealers" and they can mix all colors of Randolph and probably also the old Poly Fiber colors. Much less expensive to get dope in quantity.
Don

RC Storick · « **Reply #19 on:** May 20, 2008, 06:54:50 PM »

WICKS AIRCRAFT SUPPLY
410 Pine Street
Highland, IL 62249
618-654-7447
800-221-9425

Gary Anderson · « **Reply #20 on:** May 20, 2008, 07:09:56 PM »

Hi guys,

I use auto body red putty, some say its to heavy. I sand 99 per cent of it off, real easy to work with, cheap, easy to find, doesn't ball up on you. I use it to fill low spots. Can use water to smooth, if you need to. It doesn't pull away and leave pot holes, when you sand it. I think Windy uses this product also, don't quote me but I believe he has made mention of it. Good luck and use what works best for you. Gary

Randy Powell · « **Reply #21 on:** May 21, 2008, 12:44:03 PM »

Gary,

Only problem with the red putty is it is lacquer based and will continue to shrink forever. It can cause cracks and low spots later.

Mark Scarborough · « **Reply #22 on:** May 21, 2008, 03:45:52 PM »

If you are talking aobut hte red putty that comes in a big tube, you should never put it on very thick at all, its spot putty and designed to fill small small imperfections like rock chips not to build up with. As Randy says, its laquer based and will shrink forever and ever and ever,,,,,,

RC Storick · « **Reply #23 on:** May 21, 2008, 04:17:19 PM »

I placed a order today from Wicks. I got a quart of superfill , a quart of clear , a quart of insignia white and a gallon of thinner for $84.00 Good deal!

WICKS AIRCRAFT SUPPLY
410 Pine Street
Highland, IL 62249
618-654-7447
800-221-9425

RC Storick · « **Reply #24 on:** May 22, 2008, 12:17:19 PM »

Quote from: Robert Storick on May 21, 2008, 04:17:19 PM

I placed a order today from Wicks. I got a quart of superfill , a quart of clear , a quart of insignia white and a gallon of thinner for $84.00 Good deal!

WICKS AIRCRAFT SUPPLY
410 Pine Street
Highland, IL 62249
618-654-7447
800-221-9425

I ordered yesterday and received it today. Of coarse I am only across the river. Looks like good stuff.