In a message dated 6/18/02 11:01:25 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
europa-builder@ntlworld.com writes:
<<
I'm getting ready to fit the Graham Singleton stern post (any tips would be
appreciated:) and in setting up I've noticed the two parts aren't that good
a fit. The starboard side is a reasonable fit and I wouldn't be posting
this email if the port side was the same. The port side is a good fit at
the firewall and the overlap area along the side, but where it get's to the
step (where it flares up for the fin) there is about 8mm from where the foam
in the fusalage stops and the outer/inner skins meet. This will therefore
make the overlap 8mm smaller so I'm worried about the strength of the joint.
Is this something I should worry about? What is the minimum acceptable
overlap at the joints?
Cheers,
Mark. >>
Mark,
I went the same route as you are taking and have not regretted using Graham's
sternpost. I regret I cannot say for sure how much overlap I had at the joint
near the fin as you mentioned. It has been a long time ago since I did it.
One thing I wanted to tell you was; before you bond anything on, cleco it all
together to see if it fits. That included first the sternpost, then the top
molding and fin and finally the rudder. It was difficult to get the top
molding pushed far enough aft. This may be causing the short fall you refer
to. The firewall was bent forward keeping the top from going far enough aft.
I drilled a 1/4" hole and using a 2"x4" to spread the load and a eyebolt,
pulled it back a little securing it to the head rests with rubber bungees.
One thing Erich Trombley mentioned about getting into the lightening hole in
the fin was correct. It was necessary for me to repair the lightening holes
rear section with a layer of 1/4" blue foam and 2 or 3 layers of bid. Not a
big deal really. It is possible I put the sternpost too far forward causing
this but I don;t think so. I just wanted to make sure the rudder had plenty
of room to swing. Make sure you have some stiff straight edges to align
everything when you bond the top and fin on. It is a little taxing to get all
three pieces aligned. I installed the rudder and had a 4 foot alum. ruler
wedged in between as a spacer til cured.
Hope this makes some sense and helps. If not, write back.
Troy Maynor
-120
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