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Consensus On Finishing Back End Of Fiberglass Tips...

 
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Matt Dralle
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Joined: 08 Nov 2005
Posts: 25203
Location: Livermore CA USA

PostPosted: Thu Aug 07, 2008 7:02 pm    Post subject: Consensus On Finishing Back End Of Fiberglass Tips... Reply with quote

Dear Listers,

Here are some pictures of my recently finished Fin and Rudder
fiberglass tips, specifically highlighting my notion of mounting the
VOR/GS/LOC antenna on the top of the Fin. It came out very nice I
think and gives full access to cabling and antenna mount for maintenance.

But here's my question. Look at that last picture of the back end of
the Fin fiberglass tip and note the gaping hole. I gather from the
plans that it is kind of up to the builder whether to put a cover on
the back of it. My first question would have to be why the f***
isn't there one already molded on it like on the front of the rudder
tip? But, hostility aside, what's everyone's thoughts on finishing
these? I'm just thinking that my patience for fiberglass layups
hovers around zero and I can just see taking a totally sweet tip
installation and mucking it royally. But, I will if I must. I would
really like the back end finished off rather than gaping open like
that, but it might be something I could live with...

Thoughts?

Matt Dralle
RV-8 #82880


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PostPosted: Thu Aug 07, 2008 7:42 pm    Post subject: Consensus On Finishing Back End Of Fiberglass Tips... Reply with quote

Cut a wood plug to size apx 1/4" thick, epoxy in place and cover with one
layer of glass cloth. Sand and paint.

Doug Ritter
N8ZR RV8at (turbine)
Fieseler Fi-156 Storch project


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PostPosted: Fri Aug 08, 2008 5:42 am    Post subject: Consensus On Finishing Back End Of Fiberglass Tips... Reply with quote

Matt C
I would use this small task of fiber glassing as testing the waters. You will eventually have to warm up to it. The wing tips were a bit of work if you want them to come out nice C sometimes requiring to split the T/E and reglassing. Dan Checkoway's sight explained this task. And last but not least if you have some special words you save for special occasions wait till you get to the canopy skirt. If that don't tickle you enough you still have the windscreen and over the top roll-over bar lay ups to do.
Take it slow and it all starts coming to you. You pull the stuff out C get the scale C mix it up and go to town. Get to it now while the weather is still warm. Winter sucks for this stuff. Cure time double when its 30-40 degrees out.
First trick-Go to the hobby store and get some light balsa wood. Shape it C with-out side pressure/check it on the assembly. Fit it in the tip cap about 3/16" below the cut line.
Second- Get your cloth and cut some patterns a little over the size of the tip opening C about 3ea.
Third- Mix your epoxies(West Systems) wet the area with acid brushes and lay the first layer C then second C & third. Wetting each layer. Then prop it up so the lay-up is flat. Once cured C remove the balsa plug C however and sand the inside a bit(scuffing w/60-80 grit). Mix up some more resin and do 2 lay-ups inside but this time put bigger patterns inside to go up the side of the cap a bit to lock the end cap lay-ups in.
After this you may sand and fill the outer portion to the desired shape to nestle the rudder cap.
This may sound like a lot for a stupid little cap but the airplane isn't going to fly tomorrow. You have time. Do it and you'll be happy with the out come.
Good Luck and have some fun with it. That's what these airplanes are about.
 
Bruce Gray
RV8 Fuse
Finishing CWiring C& Windscreen

P.S. I forgot C make the balsa plug long on the bottom C a tongue if you will. This will be the portion that runs down to the top of the fin rib. You'll shape this slowly to your desired fit as you fit this to the assembly.


ans that it is kind of up to the builder whether to put a cover on
Quote:
the back of it. My first question would have to be why the f***
isn't there one already molded on it like on the front of the rudder
tip? But C hostility aside C what's everyone's thoughts on finishing
these? I'm just thinking that my patience for fiberglass layups
hovers around zero and I can just see taking a totally sweet tip
installation and mucking it royally. But C I will if I must. I would
really like the back end finished off rather than gaping open like
that C but it might be something I could live with...

Thoughts?

Matt Dralle
RV-8 #82880

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flyinwithme99(at)yahoo.co
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PostPosted: Fri Aug 08, 2008 6:36 am    Post subject: Consensus On Finishing Back End Of Fiberglass Tips... Reply with quote

Also Matt,
 
Closing this area will help prevent birds or wasp nests from being built in that area.  Also may help aerodynamics a small amount.

--- On Fri, 8/8/08, BRUCE GRAY <brucerv84us(at)hotmail.com> wrote:

From: BRUCE GRAY <brucerv84us(at)hotmail.com>
Subject: RE: Consensus On Finishing Back End Of Fiberglass Tips..


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HeathCherneski



Joined: 08 Mar 2007
Posts: 10
Location: Enterprise, AL

PostPosted: Fri Aug 08, 2008 7:46 am    Post subject: Consensus On Finishing Back End Of Fiberglass Tips... Reply with quote

Finishing the tip is really no problem. Foam is your friend as it is very
easy to cut and form into the back of the tip and then glass over.
Microbaloons mixed to the consistency of peanut butter works really well to
get exactly the shape you want and then sand to finish. I would close the
hole, and I think probably the reason it is not is the clearance between
control surface and stabilizer. You want to ensure that with a little flex
there is still no chance of contact or binding between the two surfaces and
every airplane clearance is going to be slightly different. Filling in the
end of the cap is really no problem. I used blue tivex insulation I got
from Lowes and then the above tecnique. I think it's half inch or
something. This stuff also works very well for holding control tubes while
you rig down the road and for keeping the wingtip expanded while you drill
for nutplates etcetera. Obviously, make sure you have removed the foam from
around all control tubes before final assembly.
Heath Cherneski
RV8 N818HC
52918

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