---------------------------------------------------------- Kitfox-List Digest Archive --- Total Messages Posted Sat 08/06/05: 8 ---------------------------------------------------------- Today's Message Index: ---------------------- 1. 05:29 AM - Re: Fabric socks vs rolls (Dee Young) 2. 06:22 AM - Re: Fabric socks vs rolls (Donna and Roger McConnell) 3. 07:37 AM - Re: Fabric socks vs rolls (Joel Mapes) 4. 01:56 PM - Re: Fabric socks vs rolls (Ceashman@aol.com) 5. 05:12 PM - Re: Fabric socks vs rolls (Brett Walmsley) 6. 08:58 PM - Re: Fabric socks vs rolls (clemwehner) 7. 08:59 PM - first flight - oil injection question (Marco Menezes) 8. 11:19 PM - Re: Fabric socks vs rolls (Michael Gibbs) ________________________________ Message 1 _____________________________________ Time: 05:29:05 AM PST US From: "Dee Young" Subject: Re: Kitfox-List: Fabric socks vs rolls --> Kitfox-List message posted by: "Dee Young" Ron, most builders probably feel the same way, I sure did. Its not as bad as you might think and is fun to see the bird start to look like something. Get a video from the Poly folks and watch it as that will help a lot. You may want to consider starting with a scrap piece of wood that is built into a small 12X12 square frame. Cover it first and it will help relieve the anxiety a little. I think you will find this to be a very rewarding experience. Dee Young Model II N345DY Do not archive ----- Original Message ----- From: ron schick To: kitfox-list@matronics.com Sent: Friday, August 05, 2005 10:43 PM Subject: Kitfox-List: Fabric socks vs rolls --> Kitfox-List message posted by: "ron schick" > I hope to begin the fabric proccess before the summer days become cold in Oregon. I was wondering if anyone had tried the sock kits Aircraft Spruce sells? They sound like a shortcut, but is it really? Also should I just plan on buying 5 gallon jugs of Polybrush, spray, and tone? Not my bag and I'm almost afraid to start. Thanx in advance Ron NB Ore. Dont just search. Find. Check out the new MSN Search! http://search.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200636ave/direct/01/ ________________________________ Message 2 _____________________________________ Time: 06:22:10 AM PST US From: "Donna and Roger McConnell" Subject: RE: Kitfox-List: Fabric socks vs rolls --> Kitfox-List message posted by: "Donna and Roger McConnell" Ron, The covering process was by far the most rewarding phase of the building process, but I agree it can seem daunting. If you have the PolyFiber manual follow it pretty closely but also read what the build manual says about covering as well. Practice on a scrap piece or two to get your iron temp right. It is best to use some kind of calibrated thermometer. It is not worth the extra price for the sock kit (IMO). Start on the bottom surfaces first, cut out the cloth with two to three inches overhang all around get plenty of those spring clamps to hold it in place and get with it. A good organic respirator is a must, that glue is strong stuff. As far as buying 5 gallons of each, you can certainly do that. I don't know if you will use all of each but you may come close. Good luck and keep us posted on your progress. Roger Mac S7/912S (ARTF) -----Original Message----- From: owner-kitfox-list-server@matronics.com [mailto:owner-kitfox-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of ron schick Subject: Kitfox-List: Fabric socks vs rolls --> Kitfox-List message posted by: "ron schick" I hope to begin the fabric proccess before the summer days become cold in Oregon. I was wondering if anyone had tried the sock kits Aircraft Spruce sells? They sound like a shortcut, but is it really? Also should I just plan on buying 5 gallon jugs of Polybrush, spray, and tone? Not my bag and I'm almost afraid to start. Thanx in advance Ron NB Ore. Dont just search. Find. Check out the new MSN Search! http://search.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200636ave/direct/01/ ________________________________ Message 3 _____________________________________ Time: 07:37:59 AM PST US From: "Joel Mapes" Subject: Re: Kitfox-List: Fabric socks vs rolls --> Kitfox-List message posted by: "Joel Mapes" Hi Ron, I would suggest that you attend a fabric covering seminar, especially if you do not have any experience with covering and painting. I am in the process of spraying my model 5 and am nearly done with the silver coats. Since you live in North Bend you might consider contacting Spencer Aircraft in Puyallup, WA about their seminar schedule http://www.spenceraircraft.com/ At the clinic I attended we were shown how to make our own sock. If you have access to a sewing machine ( or a significant other who does ) it is really pretty easy to do. I bought my supplies in 1 gallon cans as the cost was not much more and working with 1 gallon versus 5 gallons at a time is much easier. After attending a Poly Fiber covering clinic you will be eager to get started. Joel Mapes ________________________________ Message 4 _____________________________________ Time: 01:56:54 PM PST US From: Ceashman@aol.com Subject: Re: Kitfox-List: Fabric socks vs rolls --> Kitfox-List message posted by: Ceashman@aol.com In a message dated 8/6/2005 12:48:07 AM Eastern Daylight Time, roncarolnikko@hotmail.com writes: >I was wondering if anyone had tried the sock kits Aircraft Spruce >sells? They sound like a shortcut, but is it really? Hello Ron. I used the Polyfiber Pre-sewn Envelope (PSE) that I purchased from Aircraft Spruce. I don't think by doing so I was taking a "shortcut" or cutting corners or doing anything that would be in anyway considers not perfectly safe for aircraft building. Gosh' Aircraft Spruce also sells (PSE's) for most certified airplanes also. I am sure there are people out there who would say that this "condom" practice is not traditional or authentic. But everyone is entitled to an opinion and I was not covering a one of a kind museum specimen. If that were the case, I would probably use "real cotton" and not some new fangled polyester fabric. ha! ha!. I used the loose roll fabric for the wings and the pre-sewn envelope for the fuselage.I thought that it was easier (not a "shortcut") and the cost was not that expensive, $135.95 material and labor.(that is today's price) As others have suggested, attend a covering seminar somewhere. My training was a couple of Sun and Fun and Oshkosh visits. I now have the fastest needle in the east :). You will gain so much from this hands-on training. This training is so beneficial, you will feel confident that you can cover your own airplane. You can cover your own plane (# 1 importance). and they will let you know the tools you will need and they can tell you the quantity of materials that you will require. You are going to love this part of the building process. Your creation will come alive! you will also after so much time in the workshop. Ron, you say this is "not your bag" But it is! bag your plane with a pre-sewn envelope. Cheers. Eric Ashman, Atlanta ________________________________ Message 5 _____________________________________ Time: 05:12:11 PM PST US Subject: Re: Kitfox-List: Fabric socks vs rolls From: "Brett Walmsley" --> Kitfox-List message posted by: "Brett Walmsley" Not my bag either but, I just finished covering the fuselage and am ready for the tail feathers. I used and will continue with the blanket method. I feel there is more control. (all kitfoxes seem to be a little different). I also would not buy the poly brush, spray and tone in the 5 gallon. You don't save much and the gallons are easier to shake (the solids settle out fast)(like in minutes). GO FOR IT. It's not that tough and mistakes are easy to see and fix. Just my $0.02. Brett --> Kitfox-List message posted by: "ron schick" > > > I hope to begin the fabric proccess before the summer days become cold in > Oregon. I was wondering if anyone had tried the sock kits Aircraft Spruce > sells? They sound like a shortcut, but is it really? Also should I just > plan > on buying 5 gallon jugs of Polybrush, spray, and tone? Not my bag and I'm > almost afraid to start. Thanx in advance Ron NB Ore. > > Dont just search. Find. Check out the new MSN Search! > http://search.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200636ave/direct/01/ > > ________________________________ Message 6 _____________________________________ Time: 08:58:15 PM PST US From: "clemwehner" Subject: RE: Kitfox-List: Fabric socks vs rolls --> Kitfox-List message posted by: "clemwehner" Pay close attention to the recommended ambient air temperature for spraying polytone. Don't spray when it's too warm or things dry too fast. I sprayed at 70 degrees and down as low as 65. My Polytone went on smooth and shiny. It's been ten years and it's still shiny. The cooler temps gave the paint time to level out and blend with the previous pass of the spray gun. One more caution: if you get a speck of dirt or a bug don't try to wipe it off or you'll make a mess. Just let it dry then carefully scrape the bug/dirt off, sand lightly with very fine grit, then touch up with a burst of fresh paint. It'll make an invisible repair. If you had tried to wipe the bug/dirt off, you'd have left the paint a little thinner in that spot than the rest and you'll always see a little indentation. So resist the overwhelmingly powerful urge you'll get to pick the bug off. Polytone is very easy to work with. My Kitfox IV was the first thing I ever spray painted and it turned out beautiful. Painting will be a lot of fun. Enjoy yourself. Clem Lawton, OK KF IV-912 Ron wrote: .............Polybrush, spray, and tone? Not my bag and I'm > almost afraid to start. Thanx in advance Ron NB Ore. > ________________________________ Message 7 _____________________________________ Time: 08:59:44 PM PST US From: Marco Menezes Subject: Kitfox-List: first flight - oil injection question --> Kitfox-List message posted by: Marco Menezes After 16 years in the building, Model 2 s/n 374 (Rotax 582) flew for the first time today! Following a very short takeoff roll, we circled the patch at Big Rapids, Michigan for about .7 hrs. She handled marvelously though engine temps were a bit higher than expected, especially at full power (EGT 1250, water temp 180). Landing was routine (grass helps alot). This leads me to a question for the list: I filled the oil injection tank before running in the engine for the first time. I marked the oil level on the tank. Now, after about 3 hours of run time, the tank level has only gone down about 1/4". Is this normal? It seems I should be using more oil than that. Could an oil-lean mixture be causing my high temps? How much oil should I be using and how do I check flow? Any advice would be appreciated. Marco Menezes Model 2 - 582 N99KX ________________________________ Message 8 _____________________________________ Time: 11:19:01 PM PST US From: Michael Gibbs Subject: Re: Kitfox-List: Fabric socks vs rolls --> Kitfox-List message posted by: Michael Gibbs Ron sez: >...I was wondering if anyone had tried the sock kits Aircraft Spruce sells? I did not use socks on mine so I cannot speak from experience, but I can't imagine that it saves a lot of time because covering the wings doesn't take very long to begin with. >...should I just plan on buying 5 gallon jugs of Polybrush, spray, >and tone? Not my bag and I'm almost afraid to start. There's nothing frightening about the Poly-stuff, Ron. It really doesn't take very long to become proficient at it. The instructions from Poly-Fiber are quite good and if you pay attention to what you are doing a professional look isn't difficult to achieve. The steps are straight-forward (just from memory, may not be all-inclusive): Lay out the fabric. Rough cut to shape. Make any required cut-outs (lift-strut attach fittings, etc.) Polytack the edges to be glued. After the glue sets up, heat it with an iron to remove wrinkles and seal down the edges. Shrink the fabric with the iron to make it taut. Final-shrink at full temperature (do not exceed factory specified max). Rib-stitch. Apply tapes (more of the same sort of thing, cut, glue, iron, etc.). Someone who knows what they are doing can whip this out very quickly, but even on your first try it shouldn't take more than a few hours (depending upon how persnickety your are!). Mike G.