In a message dated 9/12/2003 10:10:58 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
EuropaXSA279@aol.com writes:
> Question: Can this thing really be built on a table on less than 3 feet
> wide?
> Perhaps the manual is referring to meters? What is the realistic size I
> should build? Perhaps someone can suggest plans?
>
Hi Brian,
I suppose that would depend on whether you ordered pre-skinned rudder,
ailerons, stab, and anti-servo tabs. I have several tables in my shop that my
brother built out of wood I-beams he had left over from a storage shed he built.
The
tables my brother built are topped with particle board, which makes for a
nice, flat, smooth surface. He is about to bring his Europa back from Flight
Crafters, and up until now I've been hogging his tables, so I'll be finding out
real soon how to deal with minimal table space. If you have pre-skinned
componets, you probably can get by with a table that small, although you might
find
yourself doing more than one project at a time, so the more table space the
better, IMO. I use one table exclusively for doing layups. That one stays
covered
with plastic. Another is used to hold my drill press, band saw and vise.
Another is used for mixing resin (also covered in plastic) They are about 4' x
6'
and are on castors so they can be moved around. Very handy indeed.
Other things I would consider purchasing include a Dremel tool with the small
sanding drum (1/2" and 1/4") and a cutoff wheel set. Be sure to get plenty of
extra sanding drums and cutoff wheels, you will need them. You will use this
tool daily. A digital caliper is also handy, along with metal rules that have
both standard and metric markings. A decent compass is handy to have for
marking edges for trimming. Get yourself a set of indexed drill bits for when
you
need holes just a wee bit bigger than the standard sizes. You'll need hole saws
of various sizes as well, including 6", 5", and 2" and 3/4". I've also found
that brad point wood bits drill glass fiber much better than standard drill
bits which tend to "take off" once they start drilling. The brad point bits cut
nice, clean holes when you need smaller holes drilled in glass fiber. I also
found a 90 degree drill attachement at Avery Tools that has come in very handy.
You'll need mixing cups. I use 9 oz clear plastic ones in a 200 count bag I
bought at Sam's. I'm now on my second bag. You'll need mixing sticks. I use
tongue depressors, then cut the end off flat so you can get in the bottom edge
of
the cups for thorough mixing. A good pair of seamstress shears will be
necessary also. Wiss makes very nice sissors. Lots of plastic sheeting for doing
layups and some good markers and pencils. A dozen or so plastic spring clamps in
varying sizes also are handy to have around. You'll also need lots of paper
towels, acetone, denatured alcohol, a good quality particle mask and Xacto
knives.
I'm sure others have plenty to add to the list.
Hope it helps!
Regards,
John Lawton
Dunlap, TN
A-245
|