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9. Using additional epoxy, make small fillets
along the bottom of the stab at the fuse/stab
joint.
10. Set the fin in place on the stab. The fin
trailing edge must be even with the stab trail-
ing edge. If the fin protrudes beyond the stab
trailing edge, sand a small amount off the front
of the fin.
11. Carefully align the fin on the stab. The fin
must be positioned perpendicular to the
stab and must line up with the fuselage
centerline EXACTLY! While holding the fin
in place, apply thin CA to glue it in place. (Note
that it is OK to use CA for this step because
the fin will be held securely to the stab by the
large balsa fillets).
LOCK STABILIZER TO FUSELAGE
(See Fuselage Plan)
1. Accurately measure 1-9/16" and 2-9/16" back
from the rear edge of F-6 and make two marks
on the bottom of the aft deck base. If you don't
have a short ruler with which to make this
measurement, cut scraps of balsa 1-9/16" and
2-9/16" long and use them as your rulers. Con-
tinue these marks across the 3/8" balsa triang-
les and up the inside of the fuselage sides.
These marks represent the front and rear edges
of the 1-inch wide fiberglass cloth reinforcing
tape to be installed.
2. Using a long-nose pliers, break off any epoxy
bumps on the 3/8" balsa triangles between the
above marks which you might have missed
when you wiped up the excess epoxy.
3. Cut the 1" x 11" fiberglass cloth strip into
two pieces, 6-l/2"and 4-1/2" long.
4. To aid in spreading epoxy between the push-
rod tubes it will be helpful to make a tool simi-
lar to this:
5. Mix up a batch of slow cure epoxy and spread
it on the bottom of the aft deck base between
the marks you made in step 1. Continue spread-
ing the epoxy up both of the fuse sides in a
1-inch wide strip. While the epoxy is still wet
lay the 1" x 6-1/2" strip of glass cloth in place,
lay the 1" x 6-1/2" strip of glass cloth in place,
pushing it down onto the aft deck base and up
the sides of the fuse, using the above "tool" to
work the glass cloth into place around the push-
rod tubes. Spread more epoxy over the glass
cloth to wet it thoroughly. Thicken the remain-
ing epoxy by adding micro balloons. Place a
1/2-teaspoon glob of this thickened epoxy on
the glass cloth in the middle of the aft deck
base, then immediately take the tapered 1/4"
plywood block and press it in place on top of
the glass cloth as shown on the fuselage plan.
D
6. Mix up another batch of slow cure epoxy and
apply it to the inside of the fuse sides in the
rearmost 1-inch of the opening. While the
epoxy is still wet, work the 1" x 4-1/2" strip of
glass cloth into place, pressing it against the
fuse sides and the 3/8" balsa triangles with a
long thin stick. Spread more epoxy over the
glass cloth to wet it thoroughly. Allow the
epoxy to fully harden before proceeding.
NOTE: In the next steps you will be asked to drill
9/64 and 3/32 diameter holes through the aft deck
base and into the stabilizer. The problem is that stan-
dard drill bits are not long enough to do this easily.
Some hobby shops and hardware stores carry long
drill bits, and this is the best solution; but you can
extend the length of your standard drill bits by gluing
them into close-fitting brass tubes (available from
your hobby shop) with CA glue. To later remove the
drill bit from the tube, heat the tube with a match
or lighter while twisting and pulling them apart with
two pairs of pliers, working in a well ventilated area
to avoid breathing the fumes of the smoldering CA.
D
7. Install your long (or extended) 9/64" drill bit
into a drill. Measure up 3/8" from the tip of the
drill bit and wrap a piece of masking tape
around the drill bit to mark the maximum
depth. The masking tape will be used as a depth
gauge to prevent drilling too deeply.
^
D
8. Drill a 9/64" hole in the center of the 1/4"
tapered plywood block which you installed in
step 5, drilling straight in to a depth of 3/8"
(using the masking tape as a guide).
D
9. Also drill a 9/64" hole to a depth of 3/8",
starting 1/4" forward of the front edge of the
tapered balsa tail filler block. Drill vertically,
straight down through the epoxy and glass
cloth which you previously installed. NOTE:
It is very important that you drill this hole in
the correct location, otherwise the locking
screw may not go into the plywood brace in the
stabilizer, which would defeat the whole pur-
pose of this procedure!
D
10. Install the long (or extended) 3/32" drill bit
in your drill and wrap a piece of masking tape
around it 1" from the tip.
31
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