REFLECTOR: Elevator Confession-Question

[Fred Marconi]

Try this.  Set the elevators on a flat surface, mark the areas that deviate
from the flat surface.  Carefully heat both sides of the elevator and then
wedge or slightly overcorrect the distorted area keeping the area to either
side of the distortion clamped.  As the material cools remove the wedge and
with a flat surface press the heated surface onto the flat surface it's
setting and clamp.

Fred

----- Original Message -----
From: "Scott Derrick" <scott at tnstaafl.net>
To: "Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list" <reflector at tvbf.org>
Sent: Saturday, June 25, 2005 7:20 PM
Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: Elevator Confession-Question


> If I couldn't get them straight with heat, I'd be inclined to start
> over..  You'll never get them balanced if you fill them.
>
> You'll be looking at those elevators every minute of every flight.  I'd
> drive me crazy looking at a curved elevator.
>
> Scott
>
>
> lawrence epstein wrote:
>
> > Well I can (almost) follow directions.  For fabricating the elevators,
> > the Manual says "using a flat surface such as a hollow core door,
> > blah, blah blah......." I did exactly that, but it turns out my door
> > has been on those saw horses too long and has a sag in the middle, as
> > do my elevators.
> >
> > I have tried heating them & using clamps/weights etc. Better but far
> > from straight. I started to fill the middle on 1 side & ends on other
> > side (Using "Superfill" for weight control) but still have much to do,
> > as much as 1/4 inch in some places
> >
> > So I am looking for opinions.
> >
> > Here are my thoughts:
> >
> > If I fill out to straight on both sides, I will have a thicker
> > Elevator & heavier. The superfill is light, but not that light.
> >
> > or, I can leave them slightly "scalloped'. Unfortunately I fabricated
> > opposite sides @ the same time so they are "scalloped" in opposite
> > directions. Besides, even if it wasn't a performance issue, I think it
> > would drive me nuts to know it was there.
> >
> > Lastly, I could call the factory, get new foam cores & some more glass
> > (should be able to re-use the tubing) and start from scratch.  (I also
> > have some left over Carbon fiber BID which I could use in 1 layer, any
> > thoughts on that?)
> >
> > Well, I am leaning toward scarap & re-start, but I am hoping that I
> > can be convinced that the weight/shape change with filler are
> > non-factors.
> >
> > What do you all think?
> >
> > Larry Epstein
> > 173 FGE
> >
> >
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