Author Topic: Finishing the former Toad (Read 11328 times)

Steve Helmick · « **Reply #200 on:** June 02, 2011, 05:17:31 PM »

When Dad was in the hospital, a knock at the door brought the response "Friend or enema?". Maybe that's Randy's reason for feeling "pooped".

Steve

Randy Powell · « **Reply #201 on:** June 02, 2011, 05:18:59 PM »

Steve,

In my case, lack of sleep.

Will Hinton · « **Reply #202 on:** June 02, 2011, 06:57:12 PM »

"Is there a cure for Olditis?"

Yeah, it's called deaditis. As Allan said, ya doesn't wanna go there!

Randy Powell · « **Reply #203 on:** June 03, 2011, 10:18:55 PM »

OK, I got off my back side and did a bit tonight. About a quarter done. Looks good so far. Hope to have it done and start assembling by Sunday.

Steve Helmick · « **Reply #204 on:** June 04, 2011, 11:49:29 AM »

We had an appointment to meet at Tacoma Narrows Airport, but it was already pretty windy when I got there at 8am, and had ramped up two notches by the time I made all the calls I could to abort the mission. Pete P. was to call Randy. So, Randy should have all of this AM to get his plane finished. My spousal unit wants me to spray weed killa on the driveway seams, but I think it's way too windy for that nonsense!

Steve

Randy Powell · « **Reply #205 on:** June 04, 2011, 02:32:29 PM »

I got there about 9:20am. No one around. I burped both planes and thought I go ahead and fly. I got one flight on the profile to see if I finally have the engine problem worked out. But by the time I landed, the wind had picked up a lot. The wind sock was standing straight out and I packed up.Called Pete Peterson and he's the one that said, oh, by the way, we aren't coming. That's OK, I got in a flight anyway.

Back to rubbing...

Randy Powell · « **Reply #206 on:** June 05, 2011, 06:31:15 PM »

I'd just like to point out that hand rubbing sucks. I'm done with rubbing compound (nice, semi-shinny finish at this point) and am just starting on the finishing compound. then hand glaze and Maguire's final finish. Sheesh, my elbow and shoulder have about had it. thought I'd be done today, but it will take another night or two. Not the best finish on the planet, but about a 7.5 on a scale from 1 to 10. Weight looks to be a bit more than I had hoped for. I'm guessing the final weight will be about 60oz on 626 square inches. I can live with that.

PJ Rowland · « **Reply #207 on:** June 05, 2011, 09:03:07 PM »

Why bother with killing yourself with hand rubbing??

I use a dual action buffer with variable speed control. Put a zero / low cut foam pad for polishing on it, 2,000 rpm, and use that, let the rubbing compound give you the cut - let the finishing compound give you the shine.

I always use my dual action buffer / polisher - years ago i use to use a wool pad - but too many times I burnt through the clear. I use VERY small amounts of clear these days. so I have to be very careful about going through.

Thats why I now use a zero cut foam pad. The same used to polish a final coat for a car.

Use this for all stages of the process.
* cutting compound
* polishing compound
* buffing compound
* finishing compound.

I then suppliment it with hand polishing with Carnauba Wax with soft microfiber cloth.

It takes me between 6 - 8 hrs for the entire process to buff out. - My shoudler still gets sore - and genearlly its a 2 person job

1 to hold the model
1 to buff with the machine.

its very important to use a DUAL ACTION buffer... not a regualar buffer. -

Stuff doing it by hand - I sand it flat by hand - 2000, then 2500, then 3000 .. That kills me. !

Randy Powell · « **Reply #208 on:** June 05, 2011, 10:32:36 PM »

Yea, I started off with 1500 and then 2000 sanding to get everything more or less flat. The last time I used a mechanical buffer, I tore up a flap. That's OK, hand rubbing is fine, just takes time. But I'm in no hurry.

PJ Rowland · « **Reply #209 on:** June 06, 2011, 12:11:03 AM »

The last time I used "a mechanical buffer, I tore up a flap"

Whats wrong with that ?

The rate your going - you will tear a tendon !

There is a technique to doing the egdes - Low rpm - a steady hand - getting the buffer going in a certain direction - generally I stand behind and go out to in - then reverse it stand at the front and go in to out. so the buffer is always goign from inside the model line - to the outside. never the other way - or you can get it to grab and tear something.

Thats the adantage of a buffer - low rpm - soft foam pad - its pretty easy not - but you need 2 people. The buffer is a 2 hand job.

Randy Powell · « **Reply #210 on:** June 07, 2011, 10:01:09 AM »

Just the wings left then I start assembling the thing. Should be able to post a pic before the end of the week.

PJ Rowland · « **Reply #211 on:** June 07, 2011, 10:30:39 AM »

We look forward to another classic Powell Production - the suspense ! KILLS ME

Randy Powell · « **Reply #212 on:** June 08, 2011, 09:25:30 AM »

Finished the rubbing last night. Still has a bit of orange peel in spots, but before I go back and sand those and re-rub them, I want to get the thing finished and fly it. I can always go back and do a better rubbing job if the plane is worth it. Got the hinges glued into the airframe last night too. So today, I clean that up and get the control surfaces glued on. Then it can be assembled and hopefully flown. I won't use it in the contest this weekend, preferring to actually get it in base trim first.

Hopefully pictures by Thursday or Friday.

John Miller · « **Reply #213 on:** June 08, 2011, 09:39:52 AM »

Good news Randy. Looking forward to finally seeing it in it's finished duds.

Mark Scarborough · « **Reply #214 on:** June 08, 2011, 12:48:01 PM »

Randy,
what time are you going to make Puyallup Saturday? It looks like I will be there, probably around 10 or 11, since I dont have a profile to fly,, sigh

Randy Powell · « **Reply #215 on:** June 08, 2011, 09:31:47 PM »

I will get there at 8am or so. I'm judging Advance on Sunday (at 9am) so look out.

I was going to glue the control surfaces on tonight but ran into a snag. Should be able to get that worked out tomorrow.

Mark Scarborough · « **Reply #216 on:** June 09, 2011, 12:25:56 PM »

Quote from: Randy Powell on June 08, 2011, 09:31:47 PM

I will get there at 8am or so. I'm judging Advance on Sunday (at 9am) so look out.

Crap,,, so should I bring you a coffee sunday morning, or just tell you where the hot barrista's are,, whatever I need to do ,, LOL, you are always so harsh on me,, its like you actually expect me to ,, well fly the pattern or something,, I mean really ,, sheesh,,,,

Randy Powell · « **Reply #217 on:** June 09, 2011, 02:23:05 PM »

Since profile isn't until about noon, I may stop off at the Narrows to get in a couple of flight to see if I have my engine problem worked out. May do that then slide over.

I promise not to expect Paul Walker when you fly, but I will expect Mark Scarborough.

Mark Scarborough · « **Reply #218 on:** June 09, 2011, 02:26:54 PM »

which Mark Scarborough, the one with high bottoms, or the one with inconsistant bottoms,, just askin so I can be prepared,, LOL

Classic is at noon, and profile at 2 from what I read,, so since your an "expert" profile guy, and I am a lowly sportsman profile guy, how about I borrow the RM dellux for profile

the Electrajet isnt going to be ready in time ,,,,, again,,,,

Randy Powell · « **Reply #219 on:** June 09, 2011, 04:13:08 PM »

Mark,

If I can get it flying right (I've had a problem with engine run), then you are welcome to fly it. Really.

Steve Helmick · « **Reply #220 on:** June 09, 2011, 05:07:35 PM »

I just called Mark, and he's scheduled to fly the KISS (F'Twister) on Saturday. You can fly it too, Randy! I better dig out some more spare props. It's going to be on grass, I think. Gots the big wheels a'ready.

Steve

john e. holliday · « **Reply #221 on:** June 10, 2011, 07:49:10 AM »

Hey Mark confuse all of them and just fly between the high and the lows.

Now what did I just type? Anyway guys/gals have lots of fun and post many pictures.

Randy Powell · « **Reply #222 on:** June 10, 2011, 09:23:30 AM »

Steve,

Whatever. I plan to scoot by TNF on the way to get a couple of flights in early to make sure it's all working now. Should be fine.

Back on topic, the control surfaces got glued on last night. Hope to get it put together tonight. Discovered that I never made retainers for the gear, so those will need to be done first. Not a big deal, less than an hour's work. Pics tonight, hopefully.

Bill Little · « **Reply #223 on:** June 10, 2011, 10:50:47 AM »

Looking forward to the pictures, Randy. With what all has happened around home, I need some inspiration!

Bill