Glorystomper

My Feedback: (1)

When building from plans (without the laser/machine cut parts), it's better to use rolled/flat plans right?

I just ordered some plans from Bob Holman, and when I called to confirm my order, he mentioned that he had sent them folded..

Do any of you know any tips/techniques to get rid of the folds and creases without damaging the plans themselves?


Thanks!

ProfLooney

There are 3 methods I find work really well.

1: take them to kinkos or like place and have them copied.

2: if you are building on top of the plans use 3M 77 glue on your building board and stick the plans to it. later they will come off the board nicely. by adhering them down to the table it will take the creases out nicely.

3: if you have parts that have creases in them you can use the 3m to glue the templates onto the wood and it will take the creases out also.

Joe

Amish

My Feedback: (1)

I know it sounds silly but I used an iron on a low heat setting to get some creases out of a set of plans once.

I might also add some light starch to keep 'em crisp.

ProfLooney

Ditto i forgot that one too just be sure not to use any water in the iron or steam as it tends to distort the plans use as dry heat as possible. Another way is to infold them and roll them real tight for about a week will help too

Joe

Glorystomper

My Feedback: (1)

Great!!! Thanks for the replies!

I was thinking of the ironing thing, but wasn't sure if I was being a freak or not hahahaha!

Cheers guys! Yer great!

BillHarris

The best way is have photocopies made of the plans. This way you still have the originals for repairs or building another airplane. If you need to cut the plans up for templates, make a second "sacrificial" copy.

RCaeroguy

My Feedback: (4)

OK, don't laugh but I took some old folded plans I got from a senior club member and ironed them flat. I covered the plans with a large bath towel and used a sprayer (like a windex pump sprayer) to wet the towel. Using medium heat, just iron the plans flat.

ProfLooney

RCAeroguy do you do windows too?



Joe

Borzak

My Feedback: (2)

Iron em. I have a Xerox 36" wide roll feed copier and if you copy anything that's been folded it really starts to distory - sorta like making a copy of a copy.

Get the original wrinkle/fold free as possible then copy it.

Greyhawk

Iron low heat with moisture has worked for me.

Woodpile

Some additional information...

Always go with rolled plans if you have the option. Folding creases are weak areas that will tear eventually.

You can buy mailing tubes at Staples ($4.00 for 4 tubes) to protect your plans when not using them. They're 36" long so most plans will fit in them nicley. If you have larger plans, buy some 3" or 4" PVC or ABS plumbing pipe from your local Home Depot or Lowe's and cut it to size. It generally goes for about $3.00/10' and you can buy the end caps for about $.75 each.

Also, when you roll the plans up for storgae, make sure you roll them with the printing out. That way, they'll lay flat on your table without trying to re-roll themselves.

Ed

rrandletn

My Feedback: (5)

When I get folded plans and don't plan on building from them for a while I roll the plans and slid three paper tubes from bathroom tissue over them. I've done this to 20 year old folded plans, when I roll them out all the folds are gone.

Added note, in a house with a wife and three daughters I can collect the rolls quit fast.