Carbon wing mounted gear

LAST EDITED ON Dec-12-04 AT 09:45 PM (CST)
 
Here's a pic of the second gear in the mold. Notice the rather intense clamping. Man, it's squeezed a lot. Also a quick pic of the current status of the plane. Should be able to start finishing in a week or so.

The first gear out of the mold is sitting in front there. Not sure yet if I'll use it. I didn't get the thing clamped tight enough the first time and it needs some grinding to use. We'll see how this second one does.

Took me about a half hour to get the first one out of the mold. Very tight.

edit: typos

A neat trick to get parts out of a mold is to put a hole for air, either in the mold, or through the part. You can patch the part later, if you go that route, but putting an air line into the mold is the easy way. You could use a Schroeder valve if you wanted, but just a hole is ok. Patch the hole where it breaks into the mold with bee's wax. When the part has cured, stick an air nozzle on the hose and pull the trigger. It works surprisingly easy. Draft angles are another weird idea that helps a lot! Steve

>Here's a pic of the second gear in the mold. Notice the
>rather intense clamping. Man, it's squeezed a lot. Also
>a quick pic of the current status of the plane. Should be
>able to start finishing in a week or so.
>
>The first gear out of the mold is sitting in front there.
>Not sure yet if I'll use it. I didn't get the thing clamped
>tight enough the first time and it needs some grinding to
>use. We'll see how this second one does.
>
>Took me about a half hour to get the first one out of the
>mold. Very tight.
>
>edit: typos

First question is where's mine? I wish my shop look that clean and last but not least your plane looks really good!

Wow, Randy!

That ship popped out of that mold!

Awesome, as usual. I can't wait to see it all.

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"The great creative individual . . . is capable of more wisdom and virtue than collective man ever can be." -John Stuart Mill

Steve,

That's a good idea. I was able to get the first one out with a bit of patience, but it took awhile. Just needs some cleanup.

Robert,

Thanks for the compliment. It's not as clean as you might think. I swept today.

We'll see how the gear works in practice.

Larry,

It's coming along. Just need to finish up the gear, carve the wheelpants and mess with that stuff and hinge the control surfaces. And a bit of detail work. The vents near the aft end of the pipe tunnel still need some attention along with the cowl area, but it's coming.

Here's another shot for those interested.

It's got warts..

Scott,

It's not done yet.

Ahh, but they are much better and cooler warts than I could make. Very jet-like appearance. Looks very cool. I love photos of planes during construction.

Awwwwwwwweeesoooommmmeeeeee cowl work. Unbelievable.

Ted would be jealous.

You must have some kind of magic Dremel or something.

LAST EDITED ON Dec-13-04 AT 11:29 AM (CST)
 
'zilla,

A lot of perma-grit tools, various little sticks with sandpaper glued to them...and patience.

But I haven't really used a dremel much except briefly for a couple of hard to reach spots. The cowl still needs the inside sanded and a bit of clean-up work, but it's coming along.

PS- I doubt Ted would be jealous. I do like his stuff, though.

Randy,

That cowl mouth is beggin' for a shark's tooth treatment!

All it needs is a tongue!

Beautiful work. This is starting to remind me of some of the stuff I've seen on the chopper buildoffs - I certainly like to see the trend (stealth/chines! - it seems more doable now).

What's the name of this critter? (Or do you want us to come up with one for it?)

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COMMITTEE, n: A group of the unfit, appointed by the unwilling, to do the unnecessary. -Anonymous

Mornin' Randy,
You must have some gnarly structure in the wing to support the CF legs. Virtually all the vertical and longitudinal load from landing will be transmitted to the mounts. The only axis that has any spring is transverse.
Are you using some sort of elastomeric pad to absorb some of the load?
Derek

LAST EDITED ON Dec-13-04 AT 12:03 PM (CST)
 
Derek,

What load? I plan to have all perfect landings.

The gear is canted in about 15 degrees and does have some spring in it. The tires are soft and there is a sort of triangular pad that goes under the gear to lean it forward a bit for grass take offs. It can be reversed for pavement. It's cut from some stuff used to cushion machines and should work pretty well.

The mount on the wing is a composite spar and half ribs. It does have some "gnarly" re-inforcement around the mounting pad.

On the other hand, the thing may explode on the first landing.

>>What's the name of this critter? (Or do you want us to come up with one for it?)<<

I have no idea. I have a sort of working name, but I plan to come up with something else.

If you have a suggestion, I'm all ears.

Sometimes, Randy, the simple answer is right there in front of you!

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"The rule is perfect: In all matters of opinion our adversaries are insane." -Mark Twain

Larry,

Think I'll stick with my working name.