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Author Topic: warped fuselage  (Read 910 times)

Offline rich gorrill

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warped fuselage
« on: June 27, 2013, 05:34:34 PM »
New kit came in the mail Saturday from company S. I opened it for inspection and found the fuselage to be warped--bowed. Called them on Monday and nice lady said they would send a new one out right away. My question is if they weren't such a good company how would I straighten out my bad fuselage. Any idea's will be welcomed. Let me clarify this is a 1/2" profile fuselage. Full size plane.

Offline Tim Wescott

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Re: warped fuselage
« Reply #1 on: June 27, 2013, 06:15:59 PM »
It depends on why it warped, and how much you care.

The safest thing to do is to get a nice plank of unwarped wood and use the existing fuselage as a pattern to cut out a new one.  Then burn the old one.

I did (once) straighten one out by moistening it then holding it with the opposite bow for a while.  But that was a fuselage that had been straight and had acquired a bow through mistreatment.  And it was probably a stupid idea anyway.
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Offline Dave_Trible

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Re: warped fuselage
« Reply #2 on: June 27, 2013, 06:39:12 PM »
It is better to replace it.  When balsa is cut it releases internal stresses sometimes that will cause a bow in short order.  You can try to straighten it but the bow or twist will sneak back in, usually once dope is applied.

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Offline Glenn (Gravitywell) Reach

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Re: warped fuselage
« Reply #3 on: June 28, 2013, 08:41:22 AM »
You could straighten it using steam, then glass or carbon veil it to strengthen and keep it straight. H^^
Glenn Reach
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Offline RC Storick

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Re: warped fuselage
« Reply #4 on: June 28, 2013, 09:01:18 AM »
Old school. Steam and break the power in the wood. Easy and quick works every time!
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