3D Edge 540 Profile Build (Glitter JR)

[BalsaDust]

Ok seemed enough people where interested so I will start a build thread on the little profile I designed.
Based off of the Edge 540
44" span
40" lentgh
40-45 ounces
3542 outrunner
60amp esc
3S or 4S 2200mah lipo dependent on KV of motor and what size prop you prefer.
Pictures uploaded out of order but I have description under each one

Stab outer frame cut part.

Framework for inside of stab.

Elevator and stab all built. Need to sheet one side of the stab and then glue on tristock to both. Stab ends up 1/16" thicker than elevator is because of sheeting.

Just your normal looking rudder

Fuse cut parts just laid in place.

Cut parts right after coming off of the CNC machine.

Stab sheeted

Landing gear block option 2. If you plan to install landing gear you will want to laminate these two 1/16 ply parts to the outside of the 1/4 balsa core. I will not be using landing gear and will either catch or belly land in the grass those I'm just installing the 3/8" thick landing gear block instead.

3/8" tube cut to length and cut parts clamped to it. Do no I repeat do not glue the tube in at this time.

Close up of the clamp around the motor mount area. Another do no is no not glue to the motor mount. It still needs to be laminated with ply on both sides and will be the very last piece installed on plane when doing final glue up after it is covered.

Parts that have a larger gluing area I like to mark the edges and then run a bead of medium CA and glue in place instead of trusting that thin CA will get into the entire joint.

Servo rails in the tail of the plane. Pick which side you want your servos installed on. You can do the entire rail as bass wood but I prefer to first glue in a piece of 1/4 square balsa then laminate a piece of bass on top. I do it this way to keep as much weight out of the tail. I like to use wood glue for this as I feel CA doesnt hold to harder woods as well.

Here you can see both rails made up. I do hit the ends with a little thin CA.

Install all the vertical stringers and the fuse is done minus tristock on the rudder post and a final sand. Again note the tube and motor mount are not glued to anything.

Will post more tomorrow after I get more done.

 

[acerc]

Woo Hoo! A build thread! Looking great BD...
SUBSCRIBED!!!!

 

[pawnshopmike]

Thanks for doing the build thread brother. This should be fun.

 

[Snoopy1]

Love build threads will enjoy the build and learn some new techniques. Thanks for doing it.

 

[BalsaDust]

Up next is laminating the motor mount it’s a 3/8” balsa core with 1/16” birch ply on both side. This is where I found my second mistake in my CAD work just now the other is in the wing and will point out when I get there. On the motor mount I drew three 1/8” holes that you could install 1/8” dowels I go to align everything. Some how the holes are off so I had to do everything by eye.

When assembling you will have a 1/8” overhang top and bottom that will look like a groove.

Coat the balsa core with wood glue and line it all up and clamp tight. Since the holes didn’t work for me I put a dab of medium CA in each corner that would set quickly and keep the parts from shifting when clamps where applied.

Now onto the ailerons. I like to lay a straight edge down at the LE and TE to keep it all straight.

Only the LE and TE are CNC cut for the ailerons but a single stick of 1/4” square balsa and 1/4”x1/8” balsa that are 36” long will be enough to fill in the gaps. I’m thinking of adding the 1/4” square pieces to the cut sheets.

Lastly if anyone was wondering these are my preferred glues. Tight bond 2 wood glue for all laminations. For thin CA I only use Bob Smith Industries and you can get it at your local hobby town or order. Hobby town rebrands it with their label but it’s BSI. For Medium CA I normally just get a small bottle of the gorilla glue brand from Walmart. I don’t use a lot of it so it’s not worth buying a big bottle.

 

[BalsaDust]

I forgot to mention in that last photo. For thin ca I like to use the little pipettes to apply it. I find I can control it better and it gets into tight spots.

 

[Alky6]

I’m in too. Looking good!

 

[49dimes]

Always "Fun" to see cool fun planes come to life. And is it really a coincidence we use the same glues? NOT .

 

[JasonMcD]

Thank you for the build log, I can’t imagine how much longer it takes to build when you are also documenting every step. Your pics and descriptions are great!

 

[BalsaDust]

Thank you for the build log, I can’t imagine how much longer it takes to build when you are also documenting every step. Your pics and descriptions are great!

For reference the prototype I built back in 2015 went from and idea in my head, to maiden in six days. I need to find a picture of it. It was ugly as sin but flew awesome.