IMAC Scratch build Laser 200

[Forgues-Research]

I have had trouble with aluminum templates in the past, raising the voltage will heat up the rest of the wire as well making the rest of the too hot. There were local cold spots where the wire touched the aluminum which crumbled the foam rather than cutting it. I believe you will be ok if the aluminum is not in contact with the foam, but I expect your templates will be touching the foam. I use Formica for my templates, doesn't melt, sands easy. smooth as silk when sanded with 400 grit. I personally like separate top and bottom templates, the wire is supported for both cuts which you need for foam ribbed wings. The single template works well for foam core wings as long as the blocks are square, then you can flip it over while cutting the bottom. Sorry for the long winded reply and I'm sure you already know this.View attachment 111211

You can write as much as you like because we can all learn new tricks, and although I have done this a lot, I will look for formica, not a bad idea, thanks for the tip

 

[Snoopy1]

I did try aluminum that is why I asked I had difficulties with it and now use Formica and it does not burn. Some times if need be I will run a dead of CA on the edge of the Formica and sand it glass smooth.

 

[BalsaDust]

@Forgues-Research I think I will pull the trigger on a X9 Lite today. Been doing a lot of research and liking what I see. Some mods will be made to the radio to better suit me but overall I think I will really like it. FrSky recently released a firmware update that allows it to bind to any old ACCST protocol receivers that bind in D8 or D16 mode so that will cover all but one of my receivers and not need to worry with doing firmware updates on each receiver. Mods will include adding the USB charging circuit, swapping momentary switch to other side to better suit me, and adding in two sliders to it. For the time being OpenTX does not support adding switches so I will basically convert the existing POT to a slider for camber adjust and the others will just be extra for when OpenTX does support it. Apparently ErSkyTX is able to support adding additional switches but I already know OpenTX and don't feel like have to write new programs for every model.

 

[Forgues-Research]

@Forgues-Research I think I will pull the trigger on a X9 Lite today. Been doing a lot of research and liking what I see. Some mods will be made to the radio to better suit me but overall I think I will really like it. FrSky recently released a firmware update that allows it to bind to any old ACCST protocol receivers that bind in D8 or D16 mode so that will cover all but one of my receivers and not need to worry with doing firmware updates on each receiver. Mods will include adding the USB charging circuit, swapping momentary switch to other side to better suit me, and adding in two sliders to it. For the time being OpenTX does not support adding switches so I will basically convert the existing POT to a slider for camber adjust and the others will just be extra for when OpenTX does support it. Apparently ErSkyTX is able to support adding additional switches but I already know OpenTX and don't feel like have to write new programs for every model.

you will not regret it, by the way no need to update for ACCST as it is already part of it called D16 so you have the best of both worlds

 

[BalsaDust]

you will not regret it, by the way no need to update for ACCST as it is already part of it called D16 so you have the best of both worlds

yeah I spoke with the people at Aloft Hobbies. The radios they have in stock are from before the firmware upgrade with ACCST on it. They offered to update it for me though at no charge so I took them up on it.

 

[Forgues-Research]

yeah I spoke with the people at Aloft Hobbies. The radios they have in stock are from before the firmware upgrade with ACCST on it. They offered to update it for me though at no charge so I took them up on it.

awesome

 

[Forgues-Research]

You know the old saying, " I have always done it this way" Well I vowed many years ago not to fall in this trap, so here you go with formica lol

 

[Forgues-Research]

cutting the wing ribs takes only a few minutes, but to prepare everything to come to that stage takes a bit longer

 

[Forgues-Research]

started to cut the rib blanks , once all glued in place, the mirror board will be glued on top to make a sandwich, then the precision comes, by placing the templates at the exact point where need , more photos will follow

 

[Forgues-Research]

the root rib template is on, as they say, measure 3 or 4 times then screw it in