---------------------------------------------------------- RV7-List Digest Archive --- Total Messages Posted Fri 08/08/08: 3 ---------------------------------------------------------- Today's Message Index: ---------------------- 1. 04:27 AM - Re: Consensus On Finishing Back End Of Fiberglass Tips... (John Bright) 2. 04:27 AM - Re: Consensus On Finishing Back End Of Fiberglass Tips... (Jim Brown) 3. 08:07 AM - Re: Consensus On Finishing Back End Of Fiberglass Tips... (Dave Nellis) ________________________________ Message 1 _____________________________________ Time: 04:27:53 AM PST US From: John Bright Subject: Re: RV7-List: Consensus On Finishing Back End Of Fiberglass Tips... Hi Matt, See "How To Articles" here http://www.cafes.net/leo/RV-6.html Thanks, John Bright o:757-864-2305 h:757-874-0861 c:757-812-1909 ----- Original Message ---- From: Matt Dralle Sent: Thursday, August 7, 2008 11:01:50 PM Subject: RV7-List: Consensus On Finishing Back End Of Fiberglass Tips... Dear Listers, Here are some pictures of my recently finished Fin and Rudder fiberglass tips, specifically highlighting my notion of mounting the VOR/GS/LOC antenna on the top of the Fin. It came out very nice I think and gives full access to cabling and antenna mount for maintenance. But here's my question. Look at that last picture of the back end of the Fin fiberglass tip and note the gaping hole. I gather from the plans that it is kind of up to the builder whether to put a cover on the back of it. My first question would have to be why the f*** isn't there one already molded on it like on the front of the rudder tip? But, hostility aside, what's everyone's thoughts on finishing these? I'm just thinking that my patience for fiberglass layups hovers around zero and I can just see taking a totally sweet tip installation and mucking it royally. But, I will if I must. I would really like the back end finished off rather than gaping open like that, but it might be something I could live with... Thoughts? Matt Dralle RV-8 #82880 ________________________________ Message 2 _____________________________________ Time: 04:27:53 AM PST US From: Jim Brown Subject: Re: RV7-List: Consensus On Finishing Back End Of Fiberglass Tips... Matt - Take a piece of paper and trace the outline of the opening on the paper.- Then find a piece of fiberglass scrap, or layup some fiberglass on a flat piece of glass and let cure. then use the tracing you made and cut out a pi ece of the fiberglass. Trial fit it in the opening, until you get a good fi t. Then glue it in and let cure. After curing use filler-to make a smooth front. - Jim Brown --- On Fri, 8/8/08, Matt Dralle wrote: From: Matt Dralle Subject: RV7-List: Consensus On Finishing Back End Of Fiberglass Tips... Dear Listers, Here are some pictures of my recently finished Fin and Rudder fiberglass tips, specifically highlighting my notion of mounting the VOR/GS/LOC antenna on the top of the Fin. It came out very nice I think and gives full access to cabling and antenna mount for maintenance. But here's my question. Look at that last picture of the back end of the Fin fiberglass tip and note the gaping hole. I gather from the plans that it is kind of up to the builder whether to put a cover on the back of it. My first question would have to be why the f*** isn't there one already molded on it like on the front of the rudder tip? But, hostility aside, what's everyone's thoughts on finishing these? I'm just thinking that my patience for fiberglass layups hovers around zero and I can just see taking a totally sweet tip installation and mucking it royally. But, I will if I must. I would really like the back end finished off rather than gaping open like that, but it might be something I could live with... Thoughts? Matt Dralle RV-8 #82880=0A=0A=0A ________________________________ Message 3 _____________________________________ Time: 08:07:44 AM PST US From: Dave Nellis Subject: Re: RV7-List: Consensus On Finishing Back End Of Fiberglass Tips... This is a method used by a friend of mine on his radio control aircraft. Obtain some soft foam rubber, tan in color and soft. This is open cell foam, AKA a sponge. Cut a slab about 1/4 inch thick. Hold the foam against the opening and trace the outline with a Sharpie. Cut the outline out making it about 1/8 inch oversize. Mix some 30 minute epoxy, found in hobby shops and available in small quantities, and soak the foam in the epoxy. Wring out as much of the epoxy as you can. Place the foam "rib" in place setting it back just enough to put a thin layer of filler. Let cure, preferably overnight. When cured, the foam will be very stiff and secure. Fill with filler of choice. An option to this would be to add some epoxy to the fiberglass piece where the foam attaches. This adds a little weight, but makes the foam more secure. Dave Nellis --- On Fri, 8/8/08, Jim Brown wrote: > From: Jim Brown > Subject: Re: RV7-List: Consensus On Finishing Back End Of Fiberglass Tips... > To: rv7-list@matronics.com > Date: Friday, August 8, 2008, 7:23 AM > Matt > > Take a piece of paper and trace the outline of the opening > on the paper. Then find a piece of fiberglass scrap, or > layup some fiberglass on a flat piece of glass and let cure. > then use the tracing you made and cut out a piece of the > fiberglass. Trial fit it in the opening, until you get a > good fit. Then glue it in and let cure. After curing use > filler to make a smooth front. > > Jim Brown > > --- On Fri, 8/8/08, Matt Dralle > wrote: > > From: Matt Dralle > Subject: RV7-List: Consensus On Finishing Back End Of > Fiberglass Tips... > To: rv7-list@matronics.com > Date: Friday, August 8, 2008, 3:01 AM > > Dear Listers, > > Here are some pictures of my recently finished Fin and > Rudder > fiberglass tips, specifically highlighting my notion of > mounting the > VOR/GS/LOC antenna on the top of the Fin. It came out very > nice I > think and gives full access to cabling and antenna mount > for maintenance. > > But here's my question. Look at that last picture of > the back end of > the Fin fiberglass tip and note the gaping hole. I gather > from the > plans that it is kind of up to the builder whether to put a > cover on > the back of it. My first question would have to be why the > f*** > isn't there one already molded on it like on the front > of the rudder > tip? But, hostility aside, what's everyone's > thoughts on finishing > these? I'm just thinking that my patience for > fiberglass layups > hovers around zero and I can just see taking a totally > sweet tip > installation and mucking it royally. But, I will if I > must. I would > really like the back end finished off rather than gaping > open like > that, but it might be something I could live with... > > Thoughts? > > Matt Dralle > RV-8 #82880 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other Matronics Email List Services ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Post A New Message rv7-list@matronics.com UN/SUBSCRIBE http://www.matronics.com/subscription List FAQ http://www.matronics.com/FAQ/RV7-List.htm Web Forum Interface To Lists http://forums.matronics.com Matronics List Wiki http://wiki.matronics.com Full Archive Search Engine http://www.matronics.com/search 7-Day List Browse http://www.matronics.com/browse/rv7-list Browse Digests http://www.matronics.com/digest/rv7-list Browse Other Lists http://www.matronics.com/browse Live Online Chat! http://www.matronics.com/chat Archive Downloading http://www.matronics.com/archives Photo Share http://www.matronics.com/photoshare Other Email Lists http://www.matronics.com/emaillists Contributions http://www.matronics.com/contribution ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- These Email List Services are sponsored solely by Matronics and through the generous Contributions of its members.