Planning to keep it simple and square.

Okay, GT got me thinking, and I reviewed a bunch of float photos online and did some water displacement calculations. I decided tapered was the way to go, so I bit the bullet and tapered the first set. I'm very pleased with the look and will be doing the other two sets as well.

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Tom

Originally Posted by RCPtero

Okay, GT got me thinking, and I reviewed a bunch of float photos online and did some water displacement calculations. I decided tapered was the way to go, so I bit the bullet and tapered the first set. I'm very pleased with the look and will be doing the other two sets as well.

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Tom

I'm sorry - I hate when that happens.

Grampa Tony

They are looking good, Tom...and Captain Skipper Grampa Tony made a good point. The resulting taper looks awesome!

Got the tops all glued on over the weekend and tapered the sides of sets two and three tonight. Also started sheeting the sides of set one tonight.i think they're looking pretty good.

They almost look to good to get wet!!! You have really done a heck of a job, Tom!

You ain't seen nuttin' yet! These are turning out so nice, I'm thinking of just staining and sealing the wood.

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Tom

Subscribed!

I may never do floats, but I MIGHT pull my 110 down from the ceiling and revisit it.

A lot of progress on the second and third sets this weekend. I got the side sheeting almost complete. I did rake some photos to show how I'm doing the sheeting. I'll upload them when I get a chance in the next few days.

I picked some spar urethane today to seal the wood. Think I'm just going to seal them, but no color. If the recipients want color they can paint as they see fit. I like the natural wood, and this second grade balsa has a lot of character to it.
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Tom

Photos as promised...

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Tom

Wow - those are looking REALLY good.

Grampa Tony

More progress today I'm done gluing. Now i need to do some serious sanding and sealing.

Okay, sanding is done. It's amazing how fast 120 grit sandpaper on a random orbital sander cuts through balsa!!

First coat of varnish is also applied. I hand rubbed this first coat and will do the next couple to get a thin seal on the wood so the varnish won't soak into the foam and eat it. We'll see tomorrow evening if it was light enough.

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Tom

WOW! they look AWESOME!!!

You have done a great job. It's gonna take some special water for the first flights with those....

Put the first coat on the bottoms tonight. I think tomorrow I'm going to start brushing on the coats and get them sealed well. Before final sanding, they weighed in at about 15 oz each. After sanding and varnishing, I'm hoping they'll still be real close to 16 or 17 oz.
I also started measuring for the rear landing gear tonight. Per one of the links I posted above, I need the leading edge about 5/8" higher than the trailing when compared to the top of the floats. That gives positive wing angle to help lift up onto the step. Based on my measurements, if I build gear just like the front gear, that will work out about right. So, tomorrow, I start bending metal as well.

Who knows, I might have her on floats before the end of the weekend!! Then all that will be left is the water rudder. And I already know how I plan to do that and have picked up the supplies.

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Tom