| Image Comments |
| lukebozek1 | 18-Nov-10 07:45 |
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| RTD89 | 18-Nov-10 23:20 |
| What are you using for filler? |
| lukebozek1 | 19-Nov-10 08:41 |
| I bought the balsa colored filler from Hobby Lobby (2 jars for under 10 bucks. When I thinned it out with a little water I could apply it with my calibrated popsicle stick, otherwise it is not very easy to use. Before I use it, mix it up because the water sinks to the bottom of the jar. It sands great, but I feel like 99% of what I apply goes out the window. Around the stabilizer-rudder I use an Elmers wood filler in a tube. I wet my fingers and smooth it out around the rudder. It dries very hard and very smooth. Very little sanding is required. |
| RTD89 | 19-Nov-10 10:49 |
| Thanks for the info. I've seen a bunch of people using this filler technique while I've just been using fabric to cover my planes and I wanted to try it out on a future project. What brand name was the filler? How do you keep it from simply falling through the stringers when you apply it? |
| lukebozek1 | 19-Nov-10 15:32 |
| Hobbylite is the brand name, I don't apply this to the stringers. I filled in the gap between the stringers with 1/16 inch sheet, cut to oversize and bevel the edges so that it sinks in. I use the filler for any gaps and the areas that sanded low. I watched some of the other people do this using heavier or thicker balsa. I did it once with 1/32 sheets but it is too thin, I found myself snding through. This 1/16 is so thin I can see through it in places, but it is easy to cut and after gluing in place is very strong. This frame is the strongest frame I have ever built, very stiff no flex at all. |
| RTD89 | 19-Jan-11 13:21 |
| So I'm guessing you just glue the 1/16 sheets between the stingers with elmers wood glue? |
| lukebozek1 | 19-Jan-11 13:52 |
| I cut each piece slightly oversize and bevel the edges so it sort of "plugs in." You want the piece to be slightly higher than the stringers or the formers. It works with Elmers or Testors but I do not recommend using CA as it gets pretty hard and makes sanding more difficult. There are quite a few people doing this with Joint Compound which is substantially cheaper than the Hobbylite. I am going to try this next. |
