Carbon Fibre tubes for fuz - Help !

[Nigelp]

Been flying (?) a 8oz slowflyer with a thinwall 14" C.F. tube as a fuselage. The tube was very light - only 3 grams, and very fragile - bit like an egshell.

Every time the plane has 'arrived' (can't call them landings !) the tube has broken !

Any ideas regarding the type / thickness / material - tube or rod I should be using ?

I know I can build a balsa or balsa ply type fuz stick to replace the C.F. tube but would like to keep the weight to a minimum.

Any advice appreciated !

Nigel

[sayno2glo]

Hi,
I had a scrach built Tiny and I did boom from balsa tube with thin fiberglass on the outside. It's very light and has never broke. That plane is about half the weight of yours but I'm sure it would work for you too.
To make the boom you need a fishing pole and you wrap wet balsa (1-1.5mm) around it. Cut it and glue the seam and let to dry. Then wrap 0.74 glass about 1" wide around it and use very little epoxy to keep weight down.
/Antti

[Nigelp]

Antii

Thanks for the help - sounds an excellent system - tried and tested which is always a bonus.

Thanks,

Nigel