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Building Tips and technical articles. => Building techniques => Topic started by: Warren Wagner on September 07, 2006, 05:20:31 PM
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For some reason, sheeting the center section of the wing is always fun. In the case of the "Imitation" wing, I make it even more fun by added a large radius to the corners, both for structural reasons, and also for appearance on transparent finishes.
To make the job a little easier, I first formed a template from a piece of manila folder. This gives you a couple of advantages. First, you can adjust the overall fit until it is perfect, and also play with the radius of the corners until it is to your liking. Secondly, once you have the template formed, you can use it for the opposite side of the wing as well.
Preassemble the two or three sheets of balsa necessary, and make them slightly larger than your template. Those pieces can be finish-sanded on the flat work surface, and the joints can be make to almost disappear.
Check the final fit, glue in place, and that side is all done.
As I mentioned before, you now have the template to use on the opposite side, so half the work for that side is already done.
Piece of cake, isn't it?
Hope that some of you find this useful.
Cheers.
Warren Wagner
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#^ Very Nice #^
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Great tip, Warren! A true time saver. y1
Bill <><
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Warren,
This has always worked for me. One minor point though. I thought it may be better to carry the point of the center sheeting across the first capstripped rib and then fit the capstrip to the result. It just seems easier to align the sheeting that way. Probably just a matter of taste though. <=
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I do the corner radiuses with a separate piece with the grain going at 45 degrees. I think it saves me a little wood. ::)
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Hi Warren, a very timly and good tip. I can use this today. I'll be sheeting the center section of my Strathmoor this afternoon. Thanks ~>
Yup, it is fun y1
Greg :)
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I do the corner radiuses with a separate piece with the grain going at 45 degrees. I think it saves me a little wood. ::)
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I'm "cheap" Jim............. I still have the diecut remants from a PT-19 I built 42 years ago!! j1 j1 f~ f~
I usually do the same as you. I put some scraps in the corners and take a mixing cup to draw the radius.
Bill <><
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That was the easiest center sheeting I ever did :)! :)! y1 thanks for the tip Warren. I rememebr an article in flying models about making wing skins, sorta the same here, I never made the connection. cant wait to sheet the next model now ;)
happy building y1
Greg ~>