Phil's Phase 6 Build

Sometimes the heat gun can be too aggressive...it makes the air expand too much and the covering balloons up instead of shrinking down. This is not such a problem on a built-up wing because there is usually somewhere for the air to go. The trouble with a foam wing is that foam is airtight.

There's a tool for piercing tiny holes in sheet surfaces, it looks like a "prickly" roller. I think it comes from either Great Planes or TopFlite. I used to have one, worked a treat. Needs to be used gently though, especially on balsa skinned surfaces. Really does minimise bubbles in the covering.Wish I could remember who borrowed it! Good tip to use a sharp scalpel to ease out the bubbles, pinholes always show up.
Just remembered, its called a "Woodpecker"

Thanks to all the replies. Well I have had another go at it. I "borrowed" a pin from her sewing box, pricked the l'l devils and then gently ran the iron over at 110C over the offending areas. Much improved. Although strangely enough it is most apparent only on the outer half of each wing. :huh: A short while later when the "tea lady" arrived she said, "how had it gone then replied to my quick answer, what's it matter, no-one is going to see it when it is the air". Philosophy!

Finally decided to get back and do something on the Phase 6. Stripped off all the Oracover as it still was not laying nice n flat even up to my low level of expectations. So, today I had a go at glassing for the first time the top side of the wing. Not too bad although I may have a bit of extra sanding to do as I left a bit too much resin on in places. Next job will be to do the underside and this time I am going to use a mini foam roller to apply the resin and hopefully keep the resin excess to a minimum.
Funny how a recent bout of slope soaring spurs you on.

Damp air and fine drizzle here today so unable to get out and start up some engines so at least I have done something constructive today.

When are you going to fix the twig, piece of balsa from Kevin's crashed model, and lots of 50mm glass tape?

A easy solution to too much resin is to cover the wet fibre glass with toilet paper and use a roller to get it to absorb the excess resin then peal it off. There are several you tube video's that show this technique. Iv'e used it but try it on a bit of scrap first works with epoxy
See this post. RC Groups.

Brian wrote: When are you going to fix the twig, piece of balsa from Kevin's crashed model, and lots of 50mm glass tape?

Unfortunately it fell of while trying to recover the wing.

joneb wrote: A easy solution to too much resin is to cover the wet fibre glass with toilet paper and use a roller to get it to absorb the excess resin then peal it off. There are several you tube video's that show this technique. Iv'e used it but try it on a bit of scrap first works with epoxy
See this post. RC Groups.

I read that one and even watched a video too using toilet roll. So many conflicting approaches too Some say never thin epoxy. Some say brush the resin on and card flatten the mat. Some say lay cloth and roll resin into it. Some say resin is not your friend!
Anyway, I have just done the other side as dinner is late tonight. Lay cloth, use roller to push the resin along. Seems to have worked great, no excess resin and laid down nice.

Hi Phil,

What weight of glass cloth did you use and what resin? Did you weigh the wing before glassing? It would be interesting to know how much weight it adds.

And ae you going to spray it? or will covering film adhere to the glass/epoxy?

Some people leave a glassed wing 'plain' to show off the lovely veneer. But paint is usually applied. Film would not stick to glass.

Looking good so far, Phil