(28) Fabric - Control Surfaces ( Mike )

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planecrazzzy
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(28) Fabric - Control Surfaces ( Mike )

Post by planecrazzzy »

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Hey Guys,

I'm going to get the rest of the plane "Caught Up" to the Fuselage... ( Up to the Brush Coat of Polybrush )

I'm starting with the Rudder next... Mostly because it was closest to being ready...

I needed to do a little sand blasting ( Booth ) and some Epoxy Primer...

and it cured for a week ( sward hardness )

When I built the rudder... I added metal "Fabric Tabs" around the Hinge , for a clean fabric transition...

What I didn't prepare for was the rudder "control horn".

After doing the one side of Fabric... I reinforced the inside "Slit" in the fabric...With little fabric "Angles"...

This gave me an Idea...

Before I put on the other side of Fabric... I'll put fabric "Angles" on the horn first...

This will support the fabric for a clean fit...

I used a straight edge from the trailing edge to the tube... and marked the Horn

I also soaked the fabric angles with Polybrush...

I Ironed the flanges ( using a backer ) for a nice flat surface...
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It looks like it will make things easier...and better results...without adding much weight...
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Gotta Fly...
.
.
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Re: (28) Fabric - Control Surfaces ( Mike )

Post by planecrazzzy »

.
Hey Guys,

I got the other side of the Rudder fabric on...

It worked out pretty good putting fabric angles on the control horn...

It allows the fabric to lay more relaxed , rather than pulled tight over the horn...

After the fabric was lightly poly-tak'd in place... I cut the fabric for final gluing...

After the small Iron and Big Iron was used...

I started the Rib Lacing...

I needed to get the book out again and refresh how the knot went...

.
Gotta Fly...
.
.
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Re: (28) Fabric - Control Surfaces ( Mike )

Post by planecrazzzy »

'
OK... Rudder is caught up to the Fuselage...
.
'
Gotta Fly...
.
.
PS Same "Hide the Lacing" technique was used as on the Fuselage...
.
.
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Re: (28) Fabric - Control Surfaces ( Mike )

Post by planecrazzzy »

Next Control Surface I'm working on is the Horizontal Stabilizer (HS) and the Elevators.
.
When I checked final fit up... I saw a way to close the GAPS between the HS and fuselage.

Jim Clement had told me about the way he PUSHES in the HS when mounting.
For a better SEAL....

I was already past this point... But by fitting wood in-place... I was able to close the GAP

After I prepped the wood.... I wrapped it with Upholstery thread for extra strength in place.
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Re: (28) Fabric - Control Surfaces ( Mike )

Post by planecrazzzy »

Hey Guys,
After the pieces fit better , I covered some of the areas with Anti-chafe tape.

I've got some room to work.
One side of the HS has fabric.
I need to glue the edges better and use the hobby Iron for a good/smooth seal.
After , I can use my Fabric Iron to put slight tension on the Fabric before putting fabric on the other side.
.
Gotta Fly...
.
.
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Re: (28) Fabric - Control Surfaces ( Mike )

Post by planecrazzzy »

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Just saw a problem with the main structural tube...
I was PADDING the ribs to clear the structural tube...
Not only did I NOT clear it... The next section didn't clear either...
This is why I put fabric on TOP first...
I probably should have put in two false ribs like I planned...
Now... The false rib I will be using will be an invention of mine ...
I doubt it... Everything I think of... John H sends me a picture of it being done already !!!!!!
I guess if I was going to call it something..... it would be a FLOATER Rib....

After several failures , I came up with this design...
Gotta Fly...
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Re: (28) Fabric - Control Surfaces ( Mike )

Post by planecrazzzy »

Locking in the Floating ribs...
They are light and strong but flexible

You can see how they were tapered for flexing .
Then I put Bias tape on them with polybrush

You can see how well the airflow is now.
The stringers/false ribs help the fabric transition over the main structural tube smooth

Gotta Fly...
.
.
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Re: (28) Fabric - Control Surfaces ( Mike )

Post by planecrazzzy »

This is what I was avoiding...
This happened on the Vertical Stabilizer... Just a little bit
See how the structural tube is exposed ?
.
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Re: (28) Fabric - Control Surfaces ( Mike )

Post by planecrazzzy »

Moving along to the Elevators.
They seem to go a little faster.
After I put fabric on them both,
and get them shrunk to 350 F
Then it's time to put the "Brush Coat" of polybrush on the HS & Elevators
.
Gotta Fly...
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Re: (28) Fabric - Control Surfaces ( Mike )

Post by planecrazzzy »

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Both sides are ready for the brush coat of polybrush.
Gotta do some chores around the house before I continue.
.
Gotta Fly...
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Re: (28) Fabric - Control Surfaces ( Mike )

Post by planecrazzzy »

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The Rib lacing is done...
Under two inch spacing.

Gotta Fly...
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Re: (28) Fabric - Control Surfaces ( Mike )

Post by planecrazzzy »

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The extra reinforcing tape over the lacing is done.
I bought my Polyester Twill without sticky backing.
It's harder to put in place , But I think it lays flatter after ironing.

Gotta Fly...
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Re: (28) Fabric - Control Surfaces ( Mike )

Post by planecrazzzy »

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I've got 2" pinked finishing tape...
but I make custom sizes when needed...
pencil , yard stick and rotary pinkers

I'm doing everything before the final outside tape...
Sealing and Ironing along the way.

push out the lumpy polybrush with the Iron...
Or see the lumps after paint...

Gotta Fly...
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Re: (28) Fabric - Control Surfaces ( Mike )

Post by planecrazzzy »

The final tapes are on.

Ready to spray polybrush ( 3 cross coats )
A lot of Ironing...

Gotta Fly...
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Re: (28) Fabric - Control Surfaces ( Mike )

Post by planecrazzzy »

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Checking the fit after final tape.
The gaps are gone now.
.
Gotta Fly...
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Sometimes you just have to take the leap
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