Use of Depron?

[Photon Phil]

I love Flite Test and their planes. Has anyone used Depron foam instead of Adams foamboard? I'm just looking for a more moisture resistant material. I have had a few of my planes rendered unflyable do to moisture damage. (all my fault) Thanks for your input.
Phil

 

[Jaxx]

I know some of our friends overseas have used Depron to build these planes, but I have no first-hand experience myself. Have you tried any of the waterproofing techniques (Minwax etc.) demonstrated in the articles?

 

[Craftydan]

Depron will work just fine, or you can get MPF (Model Plane Foam) and get the same material without the paper . . . but . . .

The paper does add stability and strength to the build. You could get most of the same effect by taping the foamboard then following the same build techniques -- you could even do this with DTFB with the paper stripped -- but you may still need to embed stiffening into some structures like flat-plate wings and tails. Bamboo skewers is a heavy-but-cheap option for stiffeners. CF flat rod is the spendy-but-light.

That being said, the waterproofing techniques (I prefer oil-based polyurethane) do dramatically improve the resilience of the material. Build, wipe it on, then wipe it off. Wait a day and add paint if you like . . . and she's good for your next rainy fly in

 

[Photon Phil]

Thanks JAXX and Craftydan.

 

[offaxis]

If you get lucky at Walmart you can find ROSS foam board. See more here: http://forum.flitetest.com/showthread.php?18569-New-Foam-Board-at-Walmart-0-88C-sheet

 

[Jaxx]

Thanks JAXX and Craftydan.

You're welcome. By the way, welcome to the forum!



Here are some links, if you're interested:

http://flitetest.com/articles/minwax-on-your-plane
http://flitetest.com/articles/waterproofing-your-airplane
http://flitetest.com/articles/polyurethane-treatment-of-dollar-store-foam-core
http://flitetest.com/articles/painting-foam-board


Like Offaxis mentioned above, the ROSS foam board is a great option as well, and even cheaper than the DTFB.

 

[AndyA-UK]

Being from the UK i have no access to lightweight foamboard, so i adapt the plans to use Depron with packing tape to reinforce as well as to allow it to be curved. Here is my latest build, an nnP39, using 6mm gray Depron for the most, with 3mm instead of posterboard.

 

[davereap]

because the cheap foam board is not available, I use a lot of the depron type of materials, and some EPP...in the uk depron is the least expensive foam and really depron.co.uk is the place to go.. buy in a box at a time, it will soon go..
depron can be tape covered.. 2" wide colored packing tape from Staples in the uk is the best tape Ive found, it needs to be rubbed down firmly..other wing tapes have more tack, but will bubble up after a while, the cheaper staples tape will stay down..
lately Ive been trying laminating film, this irons down to depron and EPP nicely .. colour the foam fist then laminate.. Its a very tough film, and unlike tape has no stretch at all.. try a bit..

 

[Gryf]

If you get lucky at Walmart you can find ROSS foam board.

Righto... I just built a Bloody Baron out of Ross board, based on the discussion in another thread, although I have yet to maiden it. It turned out very nice. I've sealed all the edges with hot glue, but haven't taken any other measures. I want to experiment and see how it survives first. My main issue in the past has been landing in wet grass, since I like to fly in the morning before the winds pick up. But here in Missouri, the high humidity is also a factor. Think, flying in a steam bath... I've had wings warp with zero exposure to outright moisture... just the ambient dampness in the air.

As for tape, I covered my FT Flyer and Mini Scout with clear tape, and I've flown them both for a long time now. They're surviving quite well, and even though the Flyer's wings have shown a slight warp over time, I've been able to straighten them somewhat with some opposite flex.

So yeah, crash damage is understandably something you want to avoid, but when untreated foam board reacts adversely to even the slightest moisture (grass, humidity), any alternative is worth exploring. And again, Ross board is cheaper at around 88 cents a sheet.

This is a good discussion, by the way... I wish all of us had the same access to building materials, regardless of location.

By the way - Andy, nice job on the P-39!

Gryf

 

[Bayboos]

Photo Phil, you may want to take a look on my article about building and FT Simple Storch in true water-resistant fashion. Yes, I use depron, mostly because I don't have access to anything better in reasonable price. And believe me, my plane has proven to be water resistant - just please take a look at the video linked below (yes, it's the same depron Stoch).