Scale Wendell Hostetler 30% Piper Cherokee Glass Fuselage Build.

[TonyHallo]

I have changed my mind about adding the third layer of carbon, instead laminated 1/16” balsa in the area. Fairly confident that it provide increased stiffness at tha same weight addition.

 

[TonyHallo]

The 1/16" balsa is laminated in place, waiting for Amazon to deliver peel ply this afternoon before adding the second layer of carbon.. The balsa is tapered on all sides. Will add additional carbon at the location of the wing tube.

The wing tips came out of the molds at 68 and 69 grams. One layer of 1 1/2 and two layers of 4 ounce cloth, not vacuum bagged or peel ply, just blotted the excess epoxy with blue shop cloth. Was wondering just how that what would compare to a carved balsa wing tip. Put one tip back in the mold and filled measured amount of water, it held 7 cups or 56 ounces, calculated volume of 101 cubic inches. Six pound balsa weights 1.58 grams per cubic inch so a solid 6 pound wing tip would come in at 160 grams, of course one would hollow out the tip because if you bought 6 pound balsa you must be weight conscious.

 

[Snoopy1]

What peel ply do you use From Amason.

 

[TonyHallo]

"

30 Inch Wide 5 Yard Peel Ply High Temperature Resistant Release Cloth Carbon Fiber Fiberglass Resin Hand Lay up Release Fabric Compatible with Epoxy Resin Gel Coat Air Auto Boat Repair Build​

Works fine to me but I never used anything else.

 

[TonyHallo]

The peel ply arrived at 2:10, went right to work, had the carbon cut to size, vacuum bag ready to go. Took about 90 minutes to wet out the carbon, wet the peel ply, install the breather and seal the bag. Actually took about 30 minutes to get a seal, getting better, still learning. This is a lot of work but loving every minute of it! Does generate a lot of garbage as well!.
Planning to tailgate at Steeler game tomorrow morning so don't think I'll get much done here.
I did order a new vacuum pump from Vevor, should be here on Tuesday, the pump I have was purchased at a flee market in the early 90's, I had to make new valve flappers to make it work, use stainless steel shim stock that we used for aligning equipment at the power station. It has done me well for $15.

 

[dhal22]

You need to report your Miller Lite in the beer drinking thread………..

 

[TonyHallo]

The new vacuum pump arrived yesterday, much higher capacity than the old pump, only problem it bellows out a little smoke. Got the material wet out and bag sealed in about an hour, pulled up to 27" mercury. I made the hose fitting for the bar out of 1/4 NPT to 1/4" hose barb and a piece of scrap Teflon material. A little lathe project, it's been a while since I ran it. Tomorrow I plan to pup 6 ounce cloth on the fin and laminate in the balsa. Just might get this out of the mold this week.

 

[Snoopy1]

This has become quiet the project, a lot of work you have to be enjoying it.

 

[TonyHallo]

I can see the light at the of the mold! Starting to think about the next steps, think I will finish building the tail group before moving onto the wings.

 

[TonyHallo]

Got the left half in the bag with the second layer on, just might be a marriage tomorrow. I thought my procedure was improving for getting the bag to seal, but this one fought me this morning, finally got in sealed up to 25 " hg while the epoxy left in the mixing tub was still liquid state, I'm sure what was spread inside the fuselage was even more liquid.