#1
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Recovery Plan: Split Fin During Build
Hallo! I have a brief story and a question.
Today I cut out fins to a pattern, and was gang-sanding them down to target dimension. And as I'm finishing up the last edge and thinking to myself, "Gee, I think this is actually the first time I've ever made fins from a pattern..." ***crunch*** All three have a crack along the grain ... but it's not all the way through. I'd really rather not start over. But I also need this model to hold up for at least six flights (Yep, it's my NARTREK Gold project. It's only a wee 18 mm min-dia streamer model, a little like the Quest Pip-Squeak, and I'm only flying it on 1/2A and A motors. The fins are symmetrical trapezoid in shape and 3/32". ) I think I can, first, rub some wood glue into the fractures and dry under weight to lock down the injury. And then, though I wasn't planning to, I think I should paper them. What say the Voices of Experience? And thanks in advance.
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Bob Portnell, Sparks, Nevada NAR #87762, NARTREK Silver, Not an actual Silver Snoopy awardee "Flying Like It's 1980" |
#2
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Just soak the crack with thin CA.
Repair will be stronger than original. They will hold up longer than you are interested in the rocket. Much longer than 6 1/2A and A flights. 'Nuf said.
__________________
When in doubt, WHACK the GAS and DITCH the brake !!! Yes, there is such a thing as NORMAL, if you have to ask what is "NORMAL" , you probably aren't ! Failure may not be an OPTION, but it is ALWAYS a POSSIBILITY. ALL systems are GO for MAYHEM, CHAOS, TURMOIL, FIASCOS, and HAVOC ! |
#3
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What GH said. I don't use glues containing water to strengthen fins because I've never been able to control warpage. If you want to make a REALLY strong fin you can use thin CA with tissue paper. Just affix an edge of the tissue paper along an edge of the fin, give it a minute to dry, then drip CA along the fin/paper interface and 'squeegee' it with an old credit card, squeezing out most of the CA. After a bit of experience you can make a fairly smooth fin that requires little sanding, is rock hard, and has the grain almost completely filled.
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#4
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Jeepers!
Two people in a row agreeing with something GH said (yes, use thin CA). Someone call the Weather Channel and let them know that hell has frozen over. |
#5
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C'mon noww, Steve !
__________________
When in doubt, WHACK the GAS and DITCH the brake !!! Yes, there is such a thing as NORMAL, if you have to ask what is "NORMAL" , you probably aren't ! Failure may not be an OPTION, but it is ALWAYS a POSSIBILITY. ALL systems are GO for MAYHEM, CHAOS, TURMOIL, FIASCOS, and HAVOC ! |
#6
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Well, that's about the most consensus I've ever seen here. So be it.
Thank you, folks.
__________________
Bob Portnell, Sparks, Nevada NAR #87762, NARTREK Silver, Not an actual Silver Snoopy awardee "Flying Like It's 1980" |
#7
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Yup. Thin CA for a split like that, either during the build or as a field repair later.....
I'll bet hell doesn't stay frozen over for long
__________________
Bernard Cawley NAR 89040 L1 - Life Member SAM 0061 AMA 42160 KG7AIE |
#8
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Quote:
With the temperatures here out west lately, any frozen-over place is looking good.
__________________
Bob Portnell, Sparks, Nevada NAR #87762, NARTREK Silver, Not an actual Silver Snoopy awardee "Flying Like It's 1980" |
#9
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It won't stay frozen for long.
I doubt anyone would approve of my method of starting indoor fireplaces. It involves MEK and a hand-held BP SU F-motor as the Starter. That however is far safer than the loon Uncles on my Mother's side of the family. Way too many incidents with them involve a gasoline can and an already LIT FIRE. One of their idiot sons actually checked the level of gasoline in a can with a LIT MATCH at age 14. That was around 1975. He got his face blown in and almost OFF. Darwin award candidate still to this day. He never ceases to find idiotic ideas. When they passed out brains, most of that side of the family was too busy SNIFFING GLUE.
__________________
When in doubt, WHACK the GAS and DITCH the brake !!! Yes, there is such a thing as NORMAL, if you have to ask what is "NORMAL" , you probably aren't ! Failure may not be an OPTION, but it is ALWAYS a POSSIBILITY. ALL systems are GO for MAYHEM, CHAOS, TURMOIL, FIASCOS, and HAVOC ! |
#10
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Quote:
Make that THREE!!
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Lee Reep NAR 55948 Projects: Semroc Saturn 1B, Ken Foss Designs Mini Satellite Interceptor In the Paint Shop: Nothing! Too cold! Launch-Ready: Farside-X, Maxi Honest John, Super Scamp |
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