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Messages - AndyB

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16
Misc / Re: Epoxy Laminating Resin.
« on: March 24, 2021, 07:44:47 AM »
Morning, I'm not familiar with 1018 but usually it's not a good idea to use expired resin. A few different things might happen with it,   Sometimes you can get little balls of hard resin and crystals developing,  sometimes it will look clear and normal but after you apply it then it always has a tacky surface even when cured.  And sometimes it could cure great for about 95% of the area but one patch would stay wet like it never mixed with the hardener. You could get lucky and it turns out ok.  If it's for structural work then don't touch it. If it's just for cosmetic things then do a test patch and see how it performs.   I personally would throw it in the bin!!!

17
Slope Soaring / Re: Build attempt / learning process
« on: March 23, 2021, 12:45:36 PM »
That primer just revealed how uneven the glass shell alone was, I had to acetone it all off and got some west 407 on followed by lots of sanding. I had red and black spray cans from when I added some colour to my weasel, these went on well.

I did the electronics and fixed the mpx wing connectors into place, so now the wings slot on nicely and the servos are connected. I made a pretty rough pushrod with balsa, piano wire, thread and glue, works great. I got it all programmed and even added braking and elevator mix.

Next is to cover the wings and horizontal stabilizer. Last is to bond in the horizontal stabilizer, I wanted to make this removable, maybe in my next build attempt or when I make a new horizontal stabilizer.

18
Slope Soaring / Re: Slope soaring diorama
« on: February 26, 2021, 12:53:15 PM »
Looks great Fred. How did you do the characters and gliders, did you use an SLA printer?

19
Slope Soaring / Re: Build attempt / learning process
« on: February 20, 2021, 09:20:16 AM »
I got some primer on the fuselage and the good/bad thing is it reveals all the low and high spots, so plenty of filling and sanding still to go. It's coming together now. I still need to figure out how to attach the horizontal stabaliser, at the moment I have a sleeve that it fits into. I am thinking of either just bonding it in or creating a hole or two on the ventral side of the fuselage to allow access for a retaining screw/s.

20
Slope Soaring / Re: Build attempt / learning process
« on: February 15, 2021, 10:39:36 AM »
Thanks Kevin, I'm really happy with the progress so far and excited that it might actually be able to fly.

21
Slope Soaring / Re: Build attempt / learning process
« on: February 13, 2021, 16:53:26 PM »
I made sure the wings were correctly aligned with a laser and holes were bored through the fuselage. I made exact copies of the wing root ribs for where the wings join the fuselage and made a fillet with epoxy and silica, was actually really worried about this part but saw a good video from Reed on this process and it turned out quite neat.

22
Slope Soaring / Re: Build attempt / learning process
« on: February 13, 2021, 16:41:13 PM »
Hi Ralph,

The spars are actually fibreglass tubes from Ali express  :-X. I did want to use carbon but decided on the cheaper alternative for the first set of wings as I would be learning and wouldn't feel bad if I screwed it up and had to throw them away.

The vac bag connector is from easy composites; https://www.easycomposites.co.uk/tbc2-through-bag-connector, I did a bit of a bulk order so saved on postage. I also got the air hose coupler from the local motor factor.

23
Slope Soaring / Re: Build attempt / learning process
« on: February 13, 2021, 13:03:22 PM »
Next was to trust my measurement and cut out the flap to the peelply, space for servo and run the servo wires to the root.


24
Slope Soaring / Re: Build attempt / learning process
« on: February 10, 2021, 17:45:26 PM »
While I'm immobile recovering from hip surgery I finally have some time for some "progress" updates. Again this is all a learning process for me and I know I am probably doing stuff wrong with wrong materials in the wrong order, but I feel it's the best way for me to learn, and I'm having fun doing it anyway.

I guess I'll start with the wings, there are 4 sections with one main spar that tapers from 12mm to a 10mm and then a small spar or 8mm to stop rotation. I used a small Dremel CNC to cut the ribs and root out and the 4axix hotwire for the core.

The ribs, spars and foam core were glued together first and then finally assemble, I added some carbon tow, because why not, and peelply at 45° for the hinge. Then all covered by balsa sheet and vac bagged.

Happy with the results, but I doubt these will be the final wings, but I should be able to fly with them.

25
Slope Soaring / Re: Build attempt / learning process
« on: January 26, 2021, 12:32:20 PM »
I was planning to use it for covering the wings in light glass and get a smooth finish. But in the interests of seeing if my wing design will hold up, I think I will plough ahead with covering it with some easycoat I have spare (horrible green that cheap and was never used).

26
Slope Soaring / Re: Build Log
« on: January 18, 2021, 09:33:45 AM »
Those videos are great, thanks.

I finally got my spars from the slow boat and have the right wing sheeted and left one nearly complete, pics coming soon.

I am struggling to get my hands on mylar sheets, can anyone point me to a supplier or an alternative to mylar?

27
Slope Soaring / Re: Build Log
« on: November 21, 2020, 13:44:13 PM »
Bill,

Would that be on top of the balsa or instead of the balsa?

28
Slope Soaring / Re: Build Log
« on: November 21, 2020, 10:36:44 AM »
Full wing aileron sounds nice and simple to me, just wanted to check as I saw some other builds adding flaps. I can always try it at another stage when I get more comfortable with the process.

re the balsa finish, I have no idea. It doesn't seem like it needs the strength of glass, but it would definitely make a nice finish if I used mylar when bagging it.

I did a test stabiliser; foam core and 0.8mm balsa skin, with a kevlar live hinge and some carbon tow and its really strong. I would prob not use this one as the finished product as I got PU glue on the hinge line and wasn't too happy with the opening to free it up, But this is all learning and testing to me.

BTW also bagged for this process.

29
Slope Soaring / Re: Build Log
« on: November 21, 2020, 09:25:41 AM »
Yea Ralph,

I'm wondering how I will ever land it. Actually thinking of the wings ATM and whether to not go will full wing ailerons and split into flaps and ailerons.

Another question I have is how to finish a balsa laminate, how to seal it for finish and paint?


30
Slope Soaring / Re: Build Log
« on: November 21, 2020, 07:46:07 AM »
Finally, I marked up the hatch, cut it out and poured in some acetone. With a bit of poking and pulling the packing tape detached and came right out without any messing. Was actually really surprised as I was expecting this to be a quite tedious and messy.

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