Electrics are fun....they make you think, all the time.
Well, 3 hours in the shop today but I can sure see that I'm getting old. My neck feels like someone shoved a pickax in it. Time for football. And aspirin.
As sometimes happens, I've already come up with a paint scheme for the new ship. Cool.
Purple metallic?
My sister (who was very much into dragons at the time) wanted to paint dragon scales on a car in silver and gold flake, then go over that with translucent red. You could do that, and then Mark would never be able to win the "most labor intensive finish in the PNW" contest again.
By the way, the colors will be metallic white, yellow jacket metallic, dark red metallic, metallic camero blue and some pearl black.
Some people claim to cover one or both sides of the balsa sheet with tissue/dope to strengthen the ribs or bulkheads, before cutting out the parts. Just a coat of clear on both sides would help quite a bit. Can't say I've ever stooped to such trickery, but it's not a bad idea. Watch the grain direction on the tissue, if you use it. Would .2 oz carbon mat work? I dunno, but an experiment with some scrap would tell the tale. H^^ Steve
I've got an idea for the leadouts. WooHoo!
I want to thank Tim Wescott for some pictures that triggered the idea that led to my leadout configuration.I am filled with great trepidation. I sincerely hope it was the Banshee wingtip, and not my drawing of Esmeralda here, that got you going.
This old man can't figure out the middle pic.
Due to this being an electric, I was concerned about being able to get the leadouts far enough forward.
So, I machined gear mounts out of aluminum. They are pretty light (under a 1/4oz each for the whole assembly). Now I have to figure out how to attach them so they stay in the wing. I have an idea to lock them in so that they aren't dependent on glue to hold them in. The stab is done. I'll post some pictures in a couple of days.
Um, just wondering, why aluminum?
more photos !!!
;D
Hey Randy, I might have a spare,, come get it %^@ H^^
Yeah, I think it's hanging on a nail right next to the 109. Doh! VD~ ;DDude,,, that was harsh man,, really harsh,, I could be hurt,,
You sort of walked into that one, Mark.Randy, I picked up some spare glue this weekend,, and YES its right next tot he cowl and flaps for the 109,, since I am obviously not building,, ALL my glue is spare,, LOL
The wing is ready for sheeting finally, bringing this thread back on course. And I'm stalled again - ran out of glue. Oh well, I'll hit the hobby shop this week, I guess...if I can find one.
Randy, I picked up some spare glue this weekend,, and YES its right next tot he cowl and flaps for the 109,, since I am obviously not building,, ALL my glue is spare,, LOLLL~ LL~ LL~ LL~ LL~ ;D
Randy
You have been holding back on all the pictures.........we need pictures...please!
Regards
Dave
ama41041
I second that.... H^^
Marcus
Checking weight at various stages is always interesting. Not sure what it will mean in the end, but i weighed the wing when I had it out of the jig (turning it over to sheet the other side). It weighed 6.8oz. Now, that's without leading and trailing edge sheeting but with the tabs for the jig and before shaping. also with controls but without horn. Like I said, not sure what that means, but my best guess is it will be somewhere under 10oz without flaps when everything is said and done.
Probably a week or so from putting the parts together into something resembling a plane.
It's an eligant way to do a tip weight box.
The tude is carbon fiber. I will have to measure as I don't remember the size. The brass tube fits snugly inside. I melt lead into the brass tube (pre-weighed) and build the tubes in about .10oz increments. I also solder a little piece of music wire across the end of the tube so they can be pulled out with a little tool I made. The end of the box is threaded for a set screw.
...
I'll post some pictures of the tip weight tubes.
Item 1 on my list of "Things no one ever told you about" is while you might expect packs of the same size and capacity etc from different manufacturers to be different dimensions you will also find packs from the same manufacturer of the same size and capacity can also differ in size (And Weight). ??? I mention this because your battery tray is great but be prepared to build several and place them further forward or aft as necessary.
I have to say, this electrical stuff is confusing. This connector or that one, this plug or that one. Will this work? No. How about that. I need a manual, not for how to hook it up, but for what to use. Sheesh!
This is why I am waaiting now for the Take Apart Ringmaster E-Power to be ready as a complet set with power, accessories and kit. Just hope they keep it under a grand.
I comeplete the fuse box in the jig, clamp it in a cut the bottom saddle. Then insert the wing and replace the saddle - all in the jig to keep things straigt. Once the wing is loose in the fuse, out comes the incidence meters, and various measuring instruments to insure the wing in square in the fuselage. You can't see them in the pictures, but there are some reference lines drawn to allow sometime to measure against. I should have cleaned up the bench before the phone, but such is life.
That's the shipping compartment.
Stylistically it needs the little tabs on the outsider of the rudder.
I should really mock up the controls system prior to installing it if I'm doing something new. I have to cut in a move the pushrod further out on the bellcrank. Not enough control movement.
You should have used my fine control geometry spreadsheet.
So I used Mark Scarborough's trick of using a balloon to compress the fiberglass and epoxy into the corners and such. Problem was, I didn't have any balloons. So I improvised.
So, I had to put some fiberglass and epoxy inside the molded top block. Should have done it before I glued the block on, but I thought I wouldn't need it. Turned out I did. So I used Mark Scarborough's trick of using a balloon to compress the fiberglass and epoxy into the corners and such. Problem was, I didn't have any balloons. So I improvised.
It was easy and works, but like you, I may tire of that and learn how to solder the connections without it.
I haven't done the Deans connectors (I've been using PowerPoles), but if it solders like it looks it would you'll help yourself tremendously if you tin the wire and leave a bit of a blob, then tin the connector, then sweat solder the two together -- that way you separate the tasks of getting good solder adhesion on wire and connector (by tinning first), and actually getting the wire and connector stuck together.That is sound advice Tim, It is how I do mine too, but its such second nature to me I had not thought about spelling it out,, it does make it much more managable.
In my career as an electronics engineer and hobbyist I've soldered a jillion connectors of all sizes, with well over two dozen different types if you only count stuff that's available commercially. Whenever you have something big or difficult to solder, separating the tinning step from the actual sticking-together step can be a great big help.
Well, I got the canopy dyed tonight and the cowl is mostly sealed. I will grind that down tomorrow and then get some odds and ends done, then fit everything up in the nose to make sure it all fits then proceed with the rest of it. I'll take some pictures this weekend. To quote John Ringo, It's mostly the fiddly stuff right now.
One of the things I didn't think about at the start was a way to mount holder for my paint/finishing stand. At this point I usually hang the plane in the air so I can get to everything to sand, build and mount control surfaces, etc. I didn't think about how to attach such a thing. With IC, I just build a down with a plate to bolt to the engine mounts. That doesn't really work here. I did come up with something (I'll take a picture later) and discovered that I really need to get a long, T-handled, hex head driver with a ball fitting on the end. Those screws that mount the motor at the bottom (top of the plane) are going to be a royal pain to get to without such a tool.
Have to go see what the tool shop has. I managed to get the mount holder bolted up, but it took like an hour.
Always something.
It really makes me think of a Star Wars Pod racer,,
...except way cooler. y1
OK, for the 3 people interested, here's a couple of pictures. The one with the canopy just has it sitting there. Not attached. I just wanted to get an idea of what it's going to look like. It's different, anyway.
This is going to be a pretty standard dope finish. Top coat is, as yet, undecided. Might be dope or could be catalyzed polyurethane. I haven't decided yet. Since it's electric, I may go with DuPont acrylic clear (only very marginally fuel resistent) since it gives such a nice shine. We'll see.
Tim,
if you would be more careful in the pits,, we would not have to worry about it as much,,
Ya know, sometimes I'm smarter that other times. I suddenly realized that if I just open the nose a bit, I can mount the motor from the front. Had i figured this out awhile back, well, let's say the nose layout would have been different. Now I'm trying to figure out if I can alter the nose at this late stage. I'll probably just stick with what I have and learn for the next one.
Doc,
I've been watching too much Fast 'N Loud, I guess. Trust me, it will be badass.
OK, couple of new pictures (for the 4 of you following this).Maybe there's 4 posting comments...
Or maybe something like this? Can you guess what it was when it started out? #^ SteveYes, even with a bit of body work and funny painting it still looks like a Volvo.
I've tried to post pictures 3 times, but apparently the server isn't in the mood tonight. I keep getting an error so I'll try again tomorrow.
I think it is. It's a very cool plane. I'm just loafing along, working on it when I'm in the mood. You put in long days to finish yours.
I think I'll leave this thread intact for the finish so that if someone is interested, they can see from first wood cut to clear coat in one thread.
So, I put everything in and if I were flying it right now, it would be pretty light. This is going to have to be a very thin finish.
Sigh...
Robert's filets look great and not too overly done.
Robert's filets look great.
Let's just say that the cat and I had words. Running up the front steps and tripping me as I came down and sending me into the rocks neck first was not what I had in mind. Result was a very large bruise and a pinched nerve. But I'll live. Flexeril is wonderful stuff. Doc says I should be fine in another couple of days.
Spencer's a light weight.Amen. On the other hand, how much would a tail weigh for him? Howard, can't you find an aftermarket unit that fits?
Amen. On the other hand, how much would a tail weigh for him? Howard, can't you find an aftermarket unit that fits?
Our other cat, the late Jessie James, once gave Spencer a prosthetic tail for Christmas. I thought that was mean, but you know where the term "catty" comes from.LL~ LL~ LL~ LL~ LL~ LL~ LL~ LL~ LL~ LL~ LL~ LL~ LL~ LL~ LL~ LL~ LL~
Well, being away has it's advantages. I was sitting at a beach today and had an idea.....
I hope that idea didn't get your face slapped... DV^^ Steve
Still sitting on the beach. I may stay.
I'm finally back after a comedy of errors by the airline. Took about 7 hours to get there and 27 hours to get back.
Hey, I like the color scheme, don't change a thing other than your AMA number under the stab. LL~ LL~ LL~Maybe stain it a little darker? Let the wood grain show.
Problem is, I'm going to have to make the drive out to Spencer's. I'm out of clear.
Sigh.....
I've got a paint scheme mapped out.I was sure you did - but felt the need to drop the wood-look thought anyway.
Primer before fillets?
Fillets are one of the last things I do before the paint starts going on the model.
Sorry, the plane will be sitting for a bit. I'm heading out of town this weekend for another week of fun in the sun (Idaho this time). But will get back on it when I return (though I may get a bit of sanding in before I leave).
Sorry, the plane will be sitting for a bit. I'm heading out of town this weekend for another week of fun in the sun (Idaho this time). But will get back on it when I return (though I may get a bit of sanding in before I leave).
Will, just a lot of interruptions. There is a certain flow when you get going on a plane. When it gets disrupted, it takes awhile to get back into it.
I'm back into it.
Okay Randy, out with the truth - you're actually trying to beat my record for the slowest build on here; right? VD~
Not sure Bob, but I think Mark might still have you covered with the 109. ;Dyeah,,m I think it was over 5 years,,
After reading this I actually got a little sanding and clear work done last night on the current project, about an hour's worth. o2oP
And, I'm back to the shop for yet MORE sanding. Hummmmmmm.......
Bill,
A home concoction. I shot white primer on first (white pigment with zinc sterate, clear, a couple of drops of black and thinned to spray) then a coat of light gray primer (same thing with a bit more black). So two coats. Makes for a nice sanding marker and easier to see low spots.
OK, it's in base color. I have one spot I'm going to have to go back and fix before the first trim color can go on. Oh well.
Robert,
Yours look fabulous. This is a sort of oddball. Like those weird Ed Roth cars in the 60s. My next plane will be a lot simpler and more straightforward. Probably iron on finish. This after I figure something out for VSC.
It's Certified White, a few drops of red and black mixed in to darken and slightly redden it. It has some alabaster pearl in there and a few drops of chrome yellow. Sort of an off white pearl.
Well, I'm just about taped off for the first trim color, but no pictures as my camera seems to have died. We'll see if fresh batteries have an effect.
Howard,
I just hope it doesn't blow up when I push the button.
OK, the taping and masking are done. Now I just have to decide what color to use. Hmmmmm.....
More pictures this weekend sometime.
I've also been using a bit of electrical tape...
Steve,
Depends on how you look at it. Either one or two. Another trim color and some black accent.
You are destined to be disappointed.
Another angle.
We'll see. Trick here is to know when to stop, I suppose.
Wayne,, not sure about you, but I am pretty confident, even if it isnt something that I would do, I am going to like it,, and think its cool,,
I mean hey,, its Randy,, H^^ D>K
High.LL~ LL~ LL~
How's this?
Haven't done anything else except start taping. I finally figured out what I'm going to do.
between the stomach flu (can't get very far away from a bathroom) and lack of inspiration, I bagged it. I did get an idea that I need to think about for a bit.
Well, it was just as well. My spouse got pitched from her horse today and ended up very bruised with a mild concussion. So, I'm babysitting her. I get to stay up all night so I can wake here every two hours. Oh well, planes not in the cards for a bit.
Steve,
I didn't get the email about it until about 3pm today. Oh well, hopefully, I'll get to fly again. Eventually.
OK, so it turns out I lied. I am going to use just a very small touch of red. I had this idea last night....
Somehow I don't see it stopping there. ;D
And the silver! Don't forget the silver! VD~ Steve
Thanks for the support Steve... LL~
Marcus
How about Orange, rather than Red?
I mixed up a sort of red/gold color for the final trim color. I think, anyway. About half taped.
And, it's still sitting there. It got pushed to the side so I could get something ready for VSC. Tough to tell if that will happen either.
Randy knows,, but I have sworn him to secrecy,,
ok well not really,, but I am building,, and this one will get finished a lot faster than the 109,, well, that is after I finish gutting my workbench,, and reorganizing, and having the grandkids for the week, and,, hmm there was something else
Cool, how about a new post on your latest Mark?I will wayne,, but right now in the middle of a work station overhaul,, and having the grandkids for a week,, so priorities have dictated I do other things,,
Mark is busy while I continue to just work, come home and sleep. Another month and hopefully, I can get back to doing something.
Sheesh!
Hey Wayne.
Well, I decided to put the thing on the back burner and retrofit an old plane for electrical operation. I just don't like the way it's coming out. I'm going to sand it down to substrate and go with a different idea.
My original Slider. It's a light and really good flying plane. Needs some work and I've started that. Then I will retrofit it for electric.ahh, the SLider should be a solid candidate for transformation,,
So, just to show I'm back on it, I painted on the thing a bit today.
Yea, I learned a lesson today. Don't use Vandoren V-Tape. Supposed to be for lacquer but the stuff bleeds like a stuck pig. I will be doing major clean up tomorrow.
Then it's on to the next part.
I se we are on 13 pages and it has not flown yet???? And they said Mark was slow. VD~
Soon, soon.....
Abandoned builds don't count. I suspect that will never be finished. Probably.
Wayne: Well, it actually look OK live. But like a lot of my high school girlfriends, the closer you get, the uglier it gets. From 3 feet it is really pretty cool.
Well, I was going to post a picture but it appears my build thread has disappeared.
Oh well.
well i did a search,, it showed up here,, not sure why its not showing in the forum listings though
http://stunthanger.com/smf/index.php/topic,29559.650.html
I found it it got set sticky and no one looked there at the top.