Approaching critical mass?

[Mighty Mik]

OK...here's stuff i have...Kevlar, white foam, blue foam, and an off brand food sucker. I also have some carbon tubes, and some slightly used 1/8 inch balsa. Hmm...a model train power supply i happen to have might be useful as well.
Oh ya...and some fiberglass sheet (PC board) and a Dremel.

Now...the idea is to put together something as a first effort...not as complicated as a 5 panel wing and v-mount horizontal stab x-tail thing, but maybe a 2 or 3 panel something with a v-tail or...?

I need a cutting bow...and some glue...and what else? 'peel ply'...somebody made some from some other stuff and poked holes in it? and 'breather layer'...newspapers?

[davidfee]

Paper towels make a fine breather. I wouldn't use newspaper as there wouldn't be as large a pathway for the air to be pulled through.

You don't need peel ply to do a vacuum bagged wing, but porous release is helpful. Saran wrap can work as a release film, but it's really clingy and kind of a pain. Waxed paper would probably be ok also. I went with the "real thing" a long time ago because it's cheap enough and it works the way it's supposed to.

For the "glue," WEST Systems 105/205 is very popular and fairly inexpensive. I use MGS L285/H285. Aeropoxy is available from Aircraft Spruce and is quite affordable.

The cutting bow can be a 1x2 with 3/16" wire stuck in the wood, pointing slightly outwards, with some steel fishing leader srtung between the ends of the wires.

good luck,
-David

[Mighty Mik]

where do you get the 'real thing' at? I know Renyalds Crystal Wrap is best used for covering slow fliers anyway. :) I'v seen a bow made from bent conduit and dowels... i think it's the .020 SS fishing leader that will be the hardest to hunt down.

Looks like 'paper towels' just made the costco buy list.

Paper towels make a fine breather. I wouldn't use newspaper as there wouldn't be as large a pathway for the air to be pulled through.

You don't need peel ply to do a vacuum bagged wing, but porous release is helpful. Saran wrap can work as a release film, but it's really clingy and kind of a pain. Waxed paper would probably be ok also. I went with the "real thing" a long time ago because it's cheap enough and it works the way it's supposed to.

For the "glue," WEST Systems 105/205 is very popular and fairly inexpensive. I use MGS L285/H285. Aeropoxy is available from Aircraft Spruce and is quite affordable.

The cutting bow can be a 1x2 with 3/16" wire stuck in the wood, pointing slightly outwards, with some steel fishing leader srtung between the ends of the wires.

good luck,
-David

[davidfee]

Oh, sorry I wasn't more clear. I get porous release film from CST http://www.cstsales.com/home.htm , but really it's available from a number of sources. Someone else here may know a cheaper place... but I don't use much of it normally, and it's generally reusable anyway. CST sells 2 yards (1m wide) for about $5. It's not going to break the bank.

Have fun,
-David

[Mighty Mik]

Has anyone used 'nylon taffetta' aka 'flag bunting'? (as peel ply) i ran across it while researching... If i could get it locally...

[davidfee]

Yes, that sounds like a possible alternative to the commercial products. Generally you will want a plain, tight weave. The stuff should also be light enough that it can conform to slight curves.

[Mighty Mik]

and better yet if it's 'on sale' :) I may try some cloth and minwax experiments for a pod... i can do a lost foam method.

Yes, that sounds like a possible alternative to the commercial products. Generally you will want a plain, tight weave. The stuff should also be light enough that it can conform to slight curves.