What temp are you shrinking your fabric to?

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rgmullins
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What temp are you shrinking your fabric to?

Post by rgmullins »

Shrinking to 350 degrees really tends to bend things. Troy said he usually stops around 300. What have you guys used? This is only my second covering job so my experience is limited...

Rick
scubarider
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Location: Cleveland, GA

heating

Post by scubarider »

I used 250 after first glueing.  Also used 250 around the corners, to blend tapes etc.  After all is dry then used 300 to do a tightening {not on the glue areas}.  Then right before putting glue all over the plane ran an iron quickly at 325.  You really need to calibrate correctly.  If you are using an extension cord then calibrate it with it connected.  I also just used my little iron for the whole plane.  Hope this helps.
Dennis
Living life on the edge makes me dizzy.  I love Dizzy!
rgmullins
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Joined: Tue Sep 04, 2007 8:21 am
Location: Cincinnati

Post by rgmullins »

That sounds about right. I helped a friend cover his LSA and before we got to 350 it was already bending tubing. Amazing how much force that shrunk fabric can exert. The instructions call for 350, but maybe you would need that much tension on a higher speed aircraft. I'm assuming that most people also paint the fabric with thinned glue before spraying also?
scubarider
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yes

Post by scubarider »

yes, I would suggest a thin coat covering all areas not already glued.  
D
Living life on the edge makes me dizzy.  I love Dizzy!
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Johnny C!
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Post by Johnny C! »

Is there any particular iron/brand that you can recommend?

It will be a while before I need it...
There are many things that happen really fast when you are
flying an airplane. There is no sense in rushing any of the others.

I would much rather be looking down at the runway, than up at it.

Duane Sorenson & Rick Norton Gone West 6/8/09. Godspeed
scubarider
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Posts: 287
Joined: Sun Dec 24, 2006 10:06 am
Location: Cleveland, GA

ACS

Post by scubarider »

Check out Aircraft Spruce.  They have a package you could get including a small iron, regular iron and a calibrator.  Personally I just bought the small and the thermometer.  Worked great.
Dennis
Living life on the edge makes me dizzy.  I love Dizzy!
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