3D Viper-ST 100-120cc scratch build......it continues!

[Terryscustom]

Before gluing in the phenolics now is a great time to double check the fit of the foam to the fuse. Cut the phenolic cleanly and neatly so that it sticks out of the wing about 3/32" or slightly less. Slide the root rib onto the phenolic and slide onto the plane. Adjust the root of the foam as needed for a perfect fit, it should be extremely close.

 

[Terryscustom]

Gluing in the phenolics. FIRST, don not forget to put some wax paper or parchment paper between the parts and the shucks or you will glue them together and have a huge problem!

I prefer to use Titebond ply glue to glue in the phenolics. It does not foam nearly as much as gorilla glue and dries quickly. Our humidity level in Winter is desert low, so I apply glue to each part and mist with water before assembly. During more humid months, you don't need to mist it at all. I apply glue to the balsa rib an block and install those. Then apply some glue to the tube and spread thin and evenly. Lastly apply a good size blob of glue on the phenolic tip and insert with a turning motion to spread the glue as it is installed. lay down wax paper on both sides of the wing and entire slot on top of the wing tube hole. Set on a flat surface and put some weight on them to keep them flat and to keep the foam from raising up.

 

[tylerzx9r]

Wax paper does work well, I personally have had it sometimes leach or bleed through that, so a friend (Rick F.) recommended parchment paper, That works even better! I can't get any bleeding or leaching through that stuff, and nothing sticks to it either!

 

[ericb]

Wax paper does work well, I personally have had it sometimes leach or bleed through that, so a friend (Rick F.) recommended parchment paper, That works even better! I can't get any bleeding or leaching through that stuff, and nothing sticks to it either!

+1 Parchment paper works awesome.

 

[Terryscustom]

OK, few pictures from the vacuum bagging thread.....I have the first parts in the bag and am setting up to do my rudder. While those are in the bags I'll be setting up the sheeting for my wings and stabs.

 

[Terryscustom]

I'm going to be building this without any additional coring or modification other than the following things:

- Wood spar extenders above and below the wing tubes
- Unidirectional carbon strips on the TE of the control surfaces and also the spars and counterbalances.

Since I'm using resin, I only need to "stick" the carbon to the foam, so do do that I'm using a small amount of non-hardening wood glue. These are glues that dry but remain somewhat flexible and don't get brittle. Just a very small amount is plenty. The vacuum will draw resin around to the backside of these strips during the bagging process.

 

[Pistolera]

You Sir, are a building MANIAC....and a very good instructor as well

 

[Terryscustom]

You Sir, are a building MANIAC....and a very good instructor as well

Thanks!!

 

[Terryscustom]

Few more general pics from the sheeting process:

 

[Terryscustom]

This is a video of installing the spar extender in the foam wings. Wanted to show how easy this really is: