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Building Tips and technical articles. => Building techniques => Topic started by: Joe Messinger on July 30, 2009, 09:54:31 PM
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Anyone know of a way to make a pattern of the cross section of a wing when all you have is the wing itself?
I have a finished Smoothie wing and would like to make a profile fuselage for it. I don't have a set of plans or any extra ribs to work from. If I could somehow accurately duplicate the center cross section of the wing in the form of a template, I could complete the project.
Thanks for any suggestions.
Joe
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Look in a woodworking place. There is a device with a bunch of rods that you push against an object. I can't remember the name, but it will duplicate curves. Should be able to find it in many hardware stores. Someone will tell us what it is called, I'm sure. I just looked and there is also a thing called a "flexible curve" that might work for you.
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A contour gauge will help http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00939542000P?keyword=contour+gauge
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Or, a scissor and a lot of cardboard...start cutting and fitting, marking the "high" spots and cutting some more, until you have it exact (and cardboard scraps up to your knees but cardboard's cheap...) Just do one surface and mirror it for the other.
I'm a low-tech kinda guy...
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re the low tech idea. Using a large diameter marking pen rough cut the cardboard then using the pen held bodywise on the surface of the wing trace half the wing section on the cardboard. Make marks on the cardboard for the LE and TE.
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Wrap a piece of saulder around the wing, and then trace the INSIDE of that wrap. Never tried it, but Windy suggested it to Bill Hummel one night.
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Ways and means, ways and means...nice thing about this forum: All a guy's gotta do is ask, then take his pick of methods. Good suggestions all.
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I have in my stuff a thing I used to use for drafting odd curves. It's a plastic rectangular strip that has something inside that allows it to flex to different shapes. Works sort of like the piece of solder idea. I did find that it really wouldn't hold shape when moved, something that I think the solder would tend to do.
Like noted, you pays your money and you takes your choice! Use whatever gets the desired result.
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It doesn't get any easier than a contour gauge. Select what you wish to duplicate, in this case a potato chip can. Press the contour gauge into the can to imprint the shape, then transfer the shape onto paper. This particular contour gauge is a General #837, and is available at most lumber stores that sell the General tool line. I think this one came from Home Depot.
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Very handy gadget, yes...we used it to replicate ogee chair molding in old house renovations. Problem with it is, it's only 6" long--won't reach all the way across most wings. maybe someone makes a 12" one,which would be much more useful.
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Thanks everyone for you advice and help. I'll try what has been suggested and, hopefully one way or another, end up with the correct size hole for my wing in the side of a fuselage.
Regards,
Joe