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Building Tips and technical articles. => Building techniques => Topic started by: Mike Griffin on April 01, 2014, 10:33:52 PM

Title: Reinforcing a Leading Edge
Post by: Mike Griffin on April 01, 2014, 10:33:52 PM
Which would provide the most strength on a leading edge....glass cloth applied with resin or Carbon fiber veil applied with dope?

Thanks

Mike
Title: Re: Reinforcing a Leading Edge
Post by: FLOYD CARTER on April 03, 2014, 04:28:54 PM
I avoid resin because it is just too hard to scrape, sand, scrape, sand.  Usually, I get good strength with carbon veil and dope, or else thinned out Ambroid.  It doesn't take much surface stiffness to really improve things.

Floyd
Title: Re: Reinforcing a Leading Edge
Post by: john e. holliday on April 03, 2014, 07:18:29 PM
If you are talking about the leading edges of Eric's kits,  I see nothing weak about them if done the way he shows.   I know some will probably hog out material they think is not necessary and then wonder why the wing folded on a really hard corner or a hard bounced landing.
Title: Re: Reinforcing a Leading Edge
Post by: Kim Doherty on April 03, 2014, 08:07:59 PM
Did someone forget the spar thingamajiggy???

I would focus my efforts there.

Kim.
Title: Re: Reinforcing a Leading Edge
Post by: Bill Little on April 04, 2014, 05:29:01 AM
Hi James,

From a pure "strength" standpoint, the glass cloth and epoxy is the winner by a good bit.  If you are not going for all out strength, CF and dope does add some strength, but mostly it gives you a harder surface than silkspan and dope.

BIG Bear
RNMM/AMM
Title: Re: Reinforcing a Leading Edge
Post by: Mike Griffin on April 04, 2014, 06:17:16 PM
Bill that was the answer I was looking for.  Thank you. 

Mike
Title: Re: Reinforcing a Leading Edge
Post by: Mike Griffin on April 04, 2014, 06:20:50 PM
If you are talking about the leading edges of Eric's kits,  I see nothing weak about them if done the way he shows.   I know some will probably hog out material they think is not necessary and then wonder why the wing folded on a really hard corner or a hard bounced landing.

Hi Doc

I was not referring to the Ringmaster.  Just asking a general question about the two materials and their strength comparison.  I have lost count of the number of RSM Ringmasters I have built and flown and NEVER had a wing even crack on one.

Mike