Cable Exit Through Fabric
06-30-2003, 02:54 AM
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Cable Exit Through Fabric
Does anyone know of a good way to have cable exit through fabric? I'm building a 1/4th scale Stearman and I need the rudder cables to exit through the fabric I'm covering the airplane with. I would like the solution to look scale if possible.
06-30-2003, 11:23 AM
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Flair 1/4th scale Stearman
It's the Flair Stearman kit. I have about 200 hours in it but I'm slow. Flair says you can finish it in about 120. Andy from "Flying Scale Models" built his in 140.
To cut myself some slack I have to admit that I had to make many modifications and structural improvements to handle the extra weight and power of the Robart radial. But it was worth it.
It's wingspan is 2" bigger than the Ziroli kit and about 8lbs lighter.
I'm not slamming the Ziroli kit. I just think Flair decided to go as light as possible no matter how much work it was "The English Way".
PS,
Thanks for all of the complements!
To cut myself some slack I have to admit that I had to make many modifications and structural improvements to handle the extra weight and power of the Robart radial. But it was worth it.
It's wingspan is 2" bigger than the Ziroli kit and about 8lbs lighter.
I'm not slamming the Ziroli kit. I just think Flair decided to go as light as possible no matter how much work it was "The English Way".
PS,
Thanks for all of the complements!
06-30-2003, 01:09 PM
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Cable Exit Through Fabric
How about this? As you're covering the fuselage, dope a piece of ripstop nylon fabric to the inside of the area where the cable will exit. Be especially careful to get this area tight and free of wrinkles as you apply the covering to keep from having to shrink the area where the ripstop is applied very much. The ripstop will reinforce the area, and keep the slit from spreading.
I've seen some places on full scale planes where the fabric has just been cut with a tool similar to a soldering iron with a blade on it. It melts the edges to keep the fabric from fraying.
For a nicer touch, you might make something similar to the fairing P/N 05-05750 sold by Aircraft Spruce. Shouldn't be too hard to make some with a vacuum forming outfit and some thin ABS sheet.
Roger
I've seen some places on full scale planes where the fabric has just been cut with a tool similar to a soldering iron with a blade on it. It melts the edges to keep the fabric from fraying.
For a nicer touch, you might make something similar to the fairing P/N 05-05750 sold by Aircraft Spruce. Shouldn't be too hard to make some with a vacuum forming outfit and some thin ABS sheet.
Roger
06-30-2003, 07:41 PM
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Cable Exit Through Fabric
Heres how I do it using natural Solartex or white Coverite.
Before I cover the fuse I install the cables and mark the location where they exit. One of the marks will usually be somewhere under the horizontal stab and the other on the tail post. The idea here is to get a "vector" where the cable exits. Once the fuse is covered, heat up a small metal rod, I use a Dubro ball end hex driver, using propane torch- it doesn't have to be glowing red, and carefully place heated metal at the vector point. This will burn in the exit and keep the opening from fraying.
2 Piece
Before I cover the fuse I install the cables and mark the location where they exit. One of the marks will usually be somewhere under the horizontal stab and the other on the tail post. The idea here is to get a "vector" where the cable exits. Once the fuse is covered, heat up a small metal rod, I use a Dubro ball end hex driver, using propane torch- it doesn't have to be glowing red, and carefully place heated metal at the vector point. This will burn in the exit and keep the opening from fraying.
2 Piece
06-30-2003, 09:59 PM
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TOM
looking at the first pic, was trying to find the "real" engine head in the dummy engine- couldn't see it (good job) 
- do you have a close-up (please)? is it a Laser?
THNX,
Vasek
- do you have a close-up (please)? is it a Laser?THNX,
Vasek
07-01-2003, 03:11 AM
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Cable Exits
A new friend in Texas is going to take some shots of the real cable exits on a Stearman he is working on. After I see those I will be able to put your suggestions to good use. WHAT A GUY!
Thanks again Everyone for your input!
If anyone wants to see a larger version of the photo you can or may already have looked at my gallery.
If that's not good enough I can email you whatever you want in full resolution at 1760x1168.
Thanks again Everyone for your input!
If anyone wants to see a larger version of the photo you can or may already have looked at my gallery.
If that's not good enough I can email you whatever you want in full resolution at 1760x1168.
07-02-2003, 03:05 AM
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Cable Exit Through Fabric
That looks just like the fairing sold by Aircraft Spruce. As I thought, it's a nice touch.
You might look at the RC sailplane sites to find some of those you can use. They came in several sailplane kits I've built. They're used to cover the servo arms, pushrods, and horns on gliders with wing-mounted servos. If you post the photo in the sailplane forum, I'll bet you'll find a source right away.
Roger
You might look at the RC sailplane sites to find some of those you can use. They came in several sailplane kits I've built. They're used to cover the servo arms, pushrods, and horns on gliders with wing-mounted servos. If you post the photo in the sailplane forum, I'll bet you'll find a source right away.
Roger
07-02-2003, 03:34 AM
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Cable Exit Through Fabric
My compliments to you on the Flair Stearman. Looks like a labor of love. You should be proud of your worlk so far. Great looking plane! Andy Levy
