CedB Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 Having recently finished a TSR2 and now getting close to the same problem with an Airfix Lightning F2, what do you guys use to support tailplanes that have a wobbly fix while the cement sets? I'm looking for something other than pots, bits of sprue etc and already have my trusted Berna clamps which are good, but don't help measure the angle of the dangle... Suggestions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Kunac-Tabinor Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 HI, so- do you want something you can set to a certain height - to keep the "dangle angle" the same on both sides? Jonners Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 Blu-tak can be useful as long as the tail planes aren't too heavy 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CedB Posted January 22, 2015 Author Share Posted January 22, 2015 HI, so- do you want something you can set to a certain height - to keep the "dangle angle" the same on both sides? Jonners I think, ideally, I'd like something that clips / clamps to the fin and has clamps for the tailplanes that allow the angle to be adjusted or, ideally, set from some sort of angle gauge. That way I won't need to make sure that the fuselage is straight... at the moment my method is: 1. Support the fuselage in an upright position with the fin 90 degrees (ish) to the table 2. Find two things that will support each tailplane at what seems to be the right angle (often not 90 degrees from fin) 3. Insert one side of the tailplane and cement 4. Knock the fuselage off true, curse 5. Re-support the fuselage 6. Support one tailplane a re-position 7. Cement second tailplane, insert into fuselage, repeat step 4 and on and on. I also get fed up with diving to the floor, trying to get level with the model to check the angle, getting up and knocking the table. I would pay good(ish) money for something that retains my sanity! Blu-tak can be useful as long as the tail planes aren't too heavy Good idea Mike but this doesn't help set the angle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 I usually use my Mk.1 eyeballs for that 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darby Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 Blu-tak can be useful as long as the tail planes aren't too heavy Same method I use. Push Blu Tak (other Taks are available) against fin or fuselage depending on where the tailplanes are. Stick your tailplanes in and then push the Tak against the fin/ fuselage until desired angle of tplane obtained. Keep fiddling and do both at the same time to achieve conformity. This is my method 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Fleming Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 (edited) Spot fix them with Super glue to hold them in place, then use solvent glue to secure them. Edited January 22, 2015 by Dave Fleming 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Ranger Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 One of the local IPMS members uses Lego blocks to make assembly jigs to hold parts in the proper orientation. Here's an article by someone else on the use of Legos: http://www.clubhyper.com/reference/biplanejigcb_1.htm 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bzn20 Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 I used the plastercene route years ago. I could (or anything really) set the height of the tips for correct angle by Mk 1 eye ball or rule on its end. Blutaks the same. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Fleming Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 The problem I've found with blutack or plasticene is that the part can move a litl;e sometimes whilst the glue sets, especially if the fit isn't great (I have a Hunter with dihederal on the tailplane as a result!) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CedB Posted January 22, 2015 Author Share Posted January 22, 2015 One of the local IPMS members uses Lego blocks to make assembly jigs to hold parts in the proper orientation. Here's an article by someone else on the use of Legos: http://www.clubhyper.com/reference/biplanejigcb_1.htm Looks like a good idea. My kids are now in their late 20s; where the heck did we put their lego? Paul at Little Cars had some of these http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/33348-jh-models-biplane-monoplane-jigs/?p=357169 but they (and other UK suppliers) seem to be out of stock. If Paul picks this up perhaps he'll advise, otherwise I'm off to hunt the Lego. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CedB Posted January 23, 2015 Author Share Posted January 23, 2015 Found the Lego! and knocked this up... Like the eyes, making sure things are level. I'm almost happy for you guys to get your T squares out on this... Note how the 'flex' in the blocks lets you adjust with quite fine tolerances and they're stiff enough to stay put. Thanks 'Space Ranger' - sorted now and really happy this will cope with different sizes, angles, dihedrals (with Bluetak) etc etc. Chuffed. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bzn20 Posted January 23, 2015 Share Posted January 23, 2015 Love the fin "wedge"! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Ranger Posted January 23, 2015 Share Posted January 23, 2015 Glad to see my suggestion was helpful. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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