2017/2018 Balsa Build Along, SIG HOG BIPE ELECTRIC CONVERSION
- Thread starter nhk750
- Start date
Silverdog
Member
Could you give me a rough estimate of the dims of your metal surface? Such as thickness and outer measurements. I might need to use the one I have for magnet storage, for it is lite with a silver coated finish (I know, I'm a cheapskate.). I don't believe it's galvanized but it holds the magnets like crazy.
nhk750
Aviation Enthusiast
Here is a link to my MAGNETIC BUILDING BOARD BUILD
I started out on a folding card table with some plywood on top of it, but it wasn't very flat so I purchased a Uline maple packing table and then put a hollow core door on top of that and then the steel board on that. It is really flat now. The thread goes over all that I think.
I have a little room in our house that I use for my little workshop and I hope someday I can have a larger work area with a different house, but for now I can build 60 inch one piece wings with no problem. I might be able to build 1/4 scale, but it would be a challenge.
I started out on a folding card table with some plywood on top of it, but it wasn't very flat so I purchased a Uline maple packing table and then put a hollow core door on top of that and then the steel board on that. It is really flat now. The thread goes over all that I think.
I have a little room in our house that I use for my little workshop and I hope someday I can have a larger work area with a different house, but for now I can build 60 inch one piece wings with no problem. I might be able to build 1/4 scale, but it would be a challenge.
Silverdog
Member
Thanks! At the very least I'm going with a heavier metal sheet. I have a hollow core door already that I kept my balsa building board on for using pins. It has a steel frame supporting it. I have a 12 x 16 shop, but I'm moving my plane building into a spare bedroom. Summers in Texas are not forgiving and I could buy many planes with the cost of running my shop A/C.
nhk750
Aviation Enthusiast
I like having my main building area inside the house as the wife wont think I am gone all the time. I do have a garage with a workbench that I do drilling and other short course work on outside, but I don't spend too much time out there.
I noticed a small up turn (warp) on one of the wing tips. I think this is due to our very dry cold weather here in Washington state along with some snow causing the wood to warp a little. I put the wing into my magnetic presses and pressed it flat again, then glued on the trailing edge stock. That should straighten things out good enough. When it drys I will work on the wing tips and hinging, then the upper wing will be done.
I noticed a small up turn (warp) on one of the wing tips. I think this is due to our very dry cold weather here in Washington state along with some snow causing the wood to warp a little. I put the wing into my magnetic presses and pressed it flat again, then glued on the trailing edge stock. That should straighten things out good enough. When it drys I will work on the wing tips and hinging, then the upper wing will be done.
Tench745
Master member
Is it wrong to want to softly caress those smooth curves and lines of balsa?
Asking for a friend
It would be a shame if you didn't.
nhk750
Aviation Enthusiast
I already did...I am waiting to do the final fill and sanding on all the components until I am done building, then the real caressing will begin...anyway, I got to use my tall vertical presses tonight to epoxy on the trailing edge center piece. The magnetic presses are sure fun to use.
roversgonemad
Member
You're going to make me a convert to this magnet business.... I'm still clinging to the same pins I've had since the early eighties! All the fixtures and clamping arrangements are really neat!
nhk750
Aviation Enthusiast
Thanks, Well, I haven't given weight much consideration yet, but I feel like it will be on the average to heavy side for the Hog. I did some weight comparisons with my electric power system compared to gas and nitro powered and it was about the same with a full tank of fuel. I will do some weighing after I build the tail and post the specs.
nhk750
Aviation Enthusiast
Robart hing point installation
I decided to fit the Robart 1/8" hinge points into the horizontal stabilizer trailing edge and elevator halves before I built the Frame to try and get better alignment and easier installation. I measured and taped the elevator halves to the HS trailing edge stock then used a pin vise to drill the holes. After drilling the holes in the original TE stock I snapped it in half because the holes weakened it, so I used some 1/4 x 3/4" balsa stock I had on hand as I didn't have any of the 1/4x 1/2" to replace it. This is a bit stronger and I will need to cut away 1/4" on the ends to match the plans but it should work great.
After I drilled a hole I would install a dowel to help hold in alignmrnt as I drilled the next holes.
See the old TE stock I broke, but the wider TE stock worked great and the hinges are fitted well.
I decided to fit the Robart 1/8" hinge points into the horizontal stabilizer trailing edge and elevator halves before I built the Frame to try and get better alignment and easier installation. I measured and taped the elevator halves to the HS trailing edge stock then used a pin vise to drill the holes. After drilling the holes in the original TE stock I snapped it in half because the holes weakened it, so I used some 1/4 x 3/4" balsa stock I had on hand as I didn't have any of the 1/4x 1/2" to replace it. This is a bit stronger and I will need to cut away 1/4" on the ends to match the plans but it should work great.
After I drilled a hole I would install a dowel to help hold in alignmrnt as I drilled the next holes.
See the old TE stock I broke, but the wider TE stock worked great and the hinges are fitted well.
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nhk750
Aviation Enthusiast
Got the horizontal stabilizer framing finished and am now working on the sheeting. Getting some work done this weekend as today it has been a mixed bag of weather.
Working on joining the 3" sheeting to sheet the Horizontal Stab. Here you can see how I propped the sheet seem open to apply the glue. After the glue (Titebond II in my case) is applied lay it flat, wipe off the excess, flip it over and apply weights, or whatever, to keep it flat.
Horizontal Stab framed up and ready to sheet.
Working on joining the 3" sheeting to sheet the Horizontal Stab. Here you can see how I propped the sheet seem open to apply the glue. After the glue (Titebond II in my case) is applied lay it flat, wipe off the excess, flip it over and apply weights, or whatever, to keep it flat.
Horizontal Stab framed up and ready to sheet.
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