IMAC Scratch build Laser 200

[BalsaDust]

Yes I would like to see it.

 

[WMcNabb]

Yes!

 

[dhal22]

Yes!

 

[Snoopy1]

Yes please

 

[Forgues-Research]

OK but if you get bored its on you guys LOLOL
I have glued the paper templates on 1/8 plywood, to make it easier to cut, and then I have marked the templates on .080" aluminum which will be the template I will use to hotwire the foam ribs, It takes such a short time to actually cut the ribs but a lot of preparation .

 

[Forgues-Research]

the templates are now aluminum for the hotwire, still a bit of work to do on them but coming along, next will be the pieces of 48" x 48" flat boards , to lay out the the contour of the wing panel (1) and lay out the foam blanks for the ribs and then nearly ready to cut, Need to order the balsa for the different parts of the wing such as sheeting , leading edge, trailing edge, same with aileron.
you can also see in two of the pictures the mounting of the motor standoffs, still need to reinforce the firewall to the sides,

 

[TonyHallo]

I will be doing the jig built wings soon, and I want to know if there is interest in a photo build such as many photos, It takes a bit of time for this but I will do it if the interest is there

Just like the Field of Dreams,
If you build it they will come!!!!

 

[Snoopy1]

Is there any reason why you are using aluminum instead of any other material. Will the aluminum not suck away some of the heat in the wire.

 

[Forgues-Research]

Is there any reason why you are using aluminum instead of any other material. Will the aluminum not suck away some of the heat in the wire.

good point , I use a variable transformer so I simply increase the voltage, but the main reason i use aluminum is so the hot wire will not burn little dints in the template, I would have like to use the plywood template , a lot easier to make but if for one reason there is even a short pause in the wire movement, there is a small burn mark, which will show up for the second wing,
I am also counting on the fact that the small contact of the wire to the aluminum templates will have minimal effect, (I hope lol)

 

[TonyHallo]

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.