Ozzy37

I'm on the process of building a 1/2 powered A-10 from MAN plans. I intend to use seperate aileron servos and need to cut holes in the 1/16" balsa ribs for the wiring to pass through. I've spoken to a few folks about what process I should use but want to get thoughts from YOU. I've been warned not to use a drill as that would probably destroy the rib. I was also told not to cut a square hole because that would invite trouble down the road. So what does the group think? How do you cut those holes? TIA

Ozzy

MerlinL14

Brass tube with the correct dia. Sharpen the end with a file, if the wings are already built then hold the rib on one side with a block of hardwood and then with a twisting motion press the tube from the other side to produce the hole. If the ribs are not fitted then just lay it on a wood bench and punch the hole with the tube.

RCKen

My Feedback: (9)

There are several ways to do this.
-You could take an exacto knive and manually cut the holes in each rib.
-You can sharpen a piece of brass tubing and use that to cut your holes.
-You can use your dremel to carve out the holes.

One thing to remember when working with the ribs is that you can really take out a lot of material without weakening the rib. The ribs aren't a major stress bearing member, but are there to hold the shape of the wing. You would be suprised out much material you can actually remover from the rib and have it still function. Cafeenman has a thread on here that discusses removing weight from planes by removing material from the ribs. It's very informative and should answer a lot of your questions about this, as well as how to do what you want to. check it out at

[link]http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_2324129/anchors_2324129/mpage_1/key_lighten%252Cribs/anchor/tm.htm#2324129[/link]

Hope this helps.

davej78

If you have a Dremel or similar you can use a 1/2" drum sander with the abrasive tube set a little forward of the adjusting screw, cuts nice neat holes in balsa and with care in grp cowls etc.

Gollywock

Ozzie- The method I came up with is to coat one side of the rib where the hole needs to be with thin CA, then drill it, by hand, from the other side. Jim

MinnFlyer

My Feedback: (4)

An easy method is to stack the ribs - put a piece of plywood on both sides of the stack - clamp them together, and drill either one large hole, or two small holes that you can later join with a razor blade

Kaos Rulz

Ozzy,

I've had good luck using a single hole punch. If you need an opening wider than the hole, punch two and cut excess balsa out between them.

Ozzy37

I knew it would payoff to ask my question here!

Merlin and RCKen, I like the idea of the brass tube, hadn't thought about that.

RCKen, you obviously have never seen me try to draw a straight line much less use an exacto to cut a circle.


Gollywock, good idea but I'm keeping this plane on a diet. Granted coating with CA would not add that much weight but every gram counts with this one.

Minn, I have to cut holes in twelve ribs with only four (R1) being the same size. That being said it's still possible to use your method but I would have to clamp them together so tight it would come awefully close to crushing them some.

DaveJ, I was told about your method by a flying bud, that's probably the course I will take, seems simple, quick and effective.

Thanks for the reply guys.

Ozzy