IMAC The new Dalton 300 SP / 330

[nevisian]

Hello, so your door is 96" length. That is more than plenty I believe. Lucky you, you had great room!
I wanted to get the table that was longer also, but way much more expensive. SO i had to settle for 86" or so.

What is the length of your new table?

My new table is 4x8 ft. I had a metal shop weld up a base made from angle iron,bolted 2x4 on the outside and cross pieces,then I laid a 4x8 sheet of 1/2 in ply,then laid a 4x8 sheet of mdf on top of that. It's all leveled. I need to made a correction on the dimension of my solid core door ,it's actually 84x30 in. Doors can be purchased at HD or Lowes

 

[orthobird]

That is awesome! I really like that. I like that you are very meticulous to make sure it is a flat surface. Very very important.

 

[orthobird]

I have glued in the battery tray bases. I also cut out some holes, to make it lighter.

Decided to go with 6-32 screws, so there are 8 t-nuts for the 6-32 screws.

 

[orthobird]

I am almost ready to glue on the fuselage sides. 1st I cut them at a 45 degree angle to bring the two 7" wide balsa sheets end to end...

Once they dry, I can glue on the fuselage sides.

 

[orthobird]

Proceeded to glue on the fuselage sides.

The way I do this is turn the fuselage onto the right side, obtained my glue, in a cup, and brushed the left side of the fuselage with the Titebond glue. Then I applies the skin onto the left side, then I turned it over onto the left side down now, then did the same on the right side, facing up.

Then I placed my plastic over the bench top, and placed the fuselage upside down, I pushed the skins down onto the bench, then I obtained my press, which I made several years ago, and now, will be the 5th time I use it, Has been very very handy.

You have to weigh down the fuselage onto the table, (with assuring the table is flat), and then the clamp goes on.

 

[orthobird]

next step, to install the bottom pan and sheet the bottom of the front of the fuselage.

 

[BalsaDust]

Rolling right along with this one and its looking good.

 

[orthobird]

Thank you,

The belly pan is on now.
I will check it in the morning and report back.

SO in all essence, this is one of the biggest diefferences between the 300 ML and the SP, in that, there is no bottom stringers, instead, it is the foam sheeted belly pan.
Will be interesting to see how it holds up and if it does, indeed, increase the stiffness as opposed to the stringers. I believe Tom Wheeler, on his thread, weighed the two materials, and they were nearly same weight.

The two surfaces are being adhered with Titebond III.

 

[orthobird]

Got to it this morning, and it is impressive. The measurements and cutting of this foam by Tony is superb. IT all joins together quite nicely. Additionally, it sure does feel real stout, and when lifting from the belly, it also feels much stronger than the stringers did, back then as well. But, of course, it is not like picking it up if it weighs 41 pounds or so. But so far, pretty darn good.

I wanted to see what it will look like with the turtle deck on....

On to finish the tail: this is the balsa block, which has been somewhat shaped. This will be adhered now, and once it is cured, then can have final sanding to shape.

Proceeded to also adhere the other balsa blocks to the sides of the tail wheel block. That also was adhered.

Upon returning from work, this area should be cured, and it will then be sanded all down to shape. It will be fun to see the final result.

After this step, will sheet the bottom of the front of the fuselage. Then will open up the holes for the stab and wing tube. Maybe even glue in the stab tube phenolic. DO not have the wing phenolic yet, so that will have to wait.

 

[orthobird]

Impressive, the tail came out really good.
It is solid, and really stiffens things up.

i had to work to sand it down smooth, but it eventually came out how I wanted it.

here are some pictures: