3D Fibertech Hyperlite Slick 540 Build Thread

[Spats]

Ok so now I will ad some detail as I catch up to Bipenut. I got the sides into the jig over the plans and mounted them to the engine box. I used titebond and CA. Then came the cross section. Here you must pay special attention that they are cut to fit precisely or your fuselage side will bow, bend in or worse banana shape. I admit I threw to the scrap pile more than 3 under cut ones. I soon learned start with the long ones so the short cuts can be used down the line. Once out of the jigs this is your first time to see if you really did build it all straight. I don't mid sasying, I did a hell of a job! Next came all the gussets. I ma sure I am not the first to do this trick but I put about 5 at a time on a 3/8" piece of balsa and cleaned up the tab cuts on the bench disc sander (see pic)

I squared everything back up and turned the fuse over hanging the box off the bench. I used my Snap On chair, raised it up and put a rag between the plane and chair for a perfect soft, supported stool. Once the planes is weighted down level I put in the phenolic tubes and supports in place. I made sure the bench was perfectly level and then sighted everything thing up with the laser level. Now I have a question; I have done a lot of building but never have I installed phenolics. I assume at this point I am ready to glue the phenolic in and cut them??? I still need to put some diagonal braces in, should I do that first?

This pic is just for fun it's not level or square here.
I also want to make note that I have been very happy with the quality of wood from Fibertech and the CNC cutting.

 

[Fibertech]

Looks like you’re doing fine job so far. To answerer your question on when to glue in the tube phenolics. I like to have most all the cross bracing and diagonals installed first. Just don’t glue in the cross bracing were the ply tube plate is installed. I also like to keep the fuse in the jig when I glue in the ph/tube but you don’t necessarily have to. The motor box has already set the tube position by know. It’s just my preference. I start with wing ph/tube first. Do this before cutting off the tube. Slide the ph/tube from one side and work on getting the ply support plates in place. Once the ply plates are in place and glued in I then slide on the balsa fillers to the outside. These will need a little sanding as I showed on the 35% build.

http://giantscalenews.com/threads/75cc-106-hyperlite-slick-540-by-fibertech-n-more.1503/page-7

Then before gluing these in I mark and cut the tube. Refer to 35% build also. Then I glue in the tube and balsa filler.
Then I do similar process for Stab tube but do a dry run measure and check first before gluing.
Hope this helps.

 

[Spats]

Thank you, definitely helps. After my last post I went back and read your build thread. It all made sense to me then. The JTEC tubes fit great. I thought they would be a bit small but they actually worked excellent. You will notice I did not router my 3/8" balsa. I am sticking to a mostly design build. I think it will still come out plenty lite for me with all the wing loading on this plane.

 

[tylerzx9r]

Looking really good!

 

[Fibertech]

Thank you, definitely helps. After my last post I went back and read your build thread. It all made sense to me then. The JTEC tubes fit great. I thought they would be a bit small but they actually worked excellent. You will notice I did not router my 3/8" balsa. I am sticking to a mostly design build. I think it will still come out plenty lite for me with all the wing loading on this plane.

Sorry..lost me about routter 3/8" balsa.

 

[Terryscustom]

Sorry..lost me about routter 3/8" balsa.

I think he's referring to the lightened balsa sticks like I did on mine. Lot of work for very little, but I had to try it once.

 

[Bipenut]

You are moving right along on your build and it is looking really good. I put my tubes in the way that Rick described and it worked out great.

I'm hoping to get back on mine sometime this weekend. I'm going to help a buddy vacuum bag his Laser 200 wings if he is ready, if not I will get some work done on mine. I still need to get going on the downdraft table, but working full time, teaching part time and having a family slows me down. LOL

 

[Fibertech]

Got it

 

[Spats]

Yes, what Terry said. Sorry I should have been more clear

 

[Bipenut]

I got a little bit of work done on the plane this weekend with laying out sheeting. I helped my good friend Elwin vacuum bag his wings on his Laser 200 this weekend. Here are a few pictures of the wings, everything turned out great.