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DATE

PROCESS

HOURS

CATEGORY

02/12/05

Vertical Stabilizer & Rudder covering

5.0

covering

DETAIL:

So many months have passed and I have not even touched the project.  It's terrible as this is the time of year to be working.  Frankly, I lost motivation.  I've had no desire to work on it since October.  That's just how it goes though.  It's a hobby and I'll get it done when I get it done.

Good news though.... I got a wave of motivation a couple days ago and decided to start some covering!  I began with the vertical stabilizer.  I'm using the Poly-Fiber process.  I bought all my covering products last November.  I bought 45 yds of medium fabric, 5 gallons of Poly Brush, 2 gallons of Poly-Tak, 2 Gallons of 65-75 Reducer, and 5 Gallons of Poly-Spray. I also got the usual stuff like tapes, rib lacing cord, pinking shears, cloth tape, etc.  Total bill came to about $1700.

I still need to buy the paint....  that'll probably run another $800 or so.

Anyhow, back to the vertical stabilizer.  I laid out the fabric and cut 2 pieces for either side of the stab. Within an hour I had Poly-Tak'd one side on and was beginning the other.  It's really easy.  I've covered nearly 25 model airplanes in the past with Monokote and I was hoping this experience would come in handy.  It does.  The process is very similar.  Dacron cloth is very forgiving.  It will conform around compound curves very easily and there's alot of room to shrink up wrinkles.

By the end of the day I was beginning the rib stitching.  I watched the Poly-Fiber video and it very clearly shows how to tie the knot.  It's EXTREMELY easy!  Within 15 minutes I was tying knots like I had been tying them my entire life.

Over all the covering of the stab looks great.  The rudder was done a couple days later and it turned out better.  About the only think I hate in the process is the horrible fumes from the cement and chemicals.  They make me nauseous, even with a respirator.  I think I need better ventilation in my shop.

Next I'm going to cover the horizontal stabilizer.