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#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.
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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.
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Bob Portnell, Sparks, Nevada NAR #87762, NARTREK Silver, Not an actual Silver Snoopy awardee "Flying Like It's 1980" |
#7
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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 |
#8
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Wow. Unanimity. Amazing.
So two fins repaired easily. The third actually completed its split. And in the process of repairing that, it got a little papering anyway, with the CA bonding the fin to the index card underneath. I cut away the surplus card and sanded away as much as I could of the glued card. I'm really happy with this model. The 3-D printed fin jig did its job. Just need to prime and paint and it'll be ready for a trip to the playa. (Pics after I get back.)
__________________
Bob Portnell, Sparks, Nevada NAR #87762, NARTREK Silver, Not an actual Silver Snoopy awardee "Flying Like It's 1980" |
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