Fiberglass help

A forum in which to discuss topics that are not specific to a particular series of aircraft (ie. how to cut alclad)
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svanarts
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Fiberglass help

Post by svanarts »

Okay, any fiberglassers out there? I've been flying this airplane for 2 years now with really junky wheel pant - gear leg intersection farings. Anyone have any really cleaver ideas on how to get a good look and fit on these bad boys. I'm so bad a fiberglass tha I even bought some pre-made fairings and I still can't get them to look right!

:bang:

Yes, I know I'm pathetic.

Spike
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Post by Spike »

It might help Scott to know specifically what your problem is. Do you have any pictures or can you describe it? Also, in the doc share section there is a link to a guy who gives a somewhat high level tutorial on glass work.

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cjensen
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Post by cjensen »

wish i could help, but i'm learning the whole 'glass thing myself right now. :o it looks messy, and people make it sound easy, but i don't get it yet either...
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jim_geo
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Post by jim_geo »

I've done quite a bit of glass work myself. Recently I've met a person through friends that has been building an RV8 and has built and fly's an RV4. He's been showing me some of the pictures he has of doing his glass work on his planes and I think I get it. Perhaps I may be able to help you (or not) depending on the problem you're having. I do know that he was not overly thrilled with the factory fairings.

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svanarts
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Post by svanarts »

My specific problem is how to get a good curve between the gear leg and the wheel pants. I keep getting large bumps and lumps in the glass work. I can't seem to get a good flowing curve from wheel pant to gear leg. I'll see if I can get a picture tomorrow.

Rupester
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Glass Work

Post by Rupester »

My Vans Preview Plans set for the 9A has two pages of photos (pp 10-9, 10-10) specifically showing how to make the pants-to-gear leg transition. Do you have access to those photos?

Spike
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Post by Spike »

Scott, have you looked at Fairings etc? They specialize in stuff like that and have pre made glass parts for the RV series. There is a link to them in the Resources Section.

-- Spike
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Current Build: 2 years into a beautiful little girl

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svanarts
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Post by svanarts »

Yeah, I'm actually using those. Bob is a great guy by the way! But I think you underestimate my ineptitude with fiberglass. I'm using his tail fairing and it looks great!

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