VansAirForceForums  
Home > VansAirForceForums

- POSTING RULES
- Donate yearly (please).
- Advertise in here!

- Today's Posts | Insert Pics


Go Back   VAF Forums > Model Specific > RV-14
Register FAQ Members List Calendar Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
  #1  
Old 11-25-2018, 06:21 PM
iamtheari iamtheari is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: ND
Posts: 452
Default Special tools for canopy and window

Since I have to order some tools and hardware anyhow, I am curious if anyone has tips on tools to make the canopy and window build go easier and/or to make them more reliable in the long-term. I've been told that a countersink in plexiglass will be more likely to crack with a certain head angle vs. another head angle but the person who told me that didn't remember the specifics of what does and doesn't work. Any other tips are also welcome. Drill bits, countersink bits, special types of clamps, etc. I am going to spend a lot of time looking through the canopy so I want it to turn out good. Thanks as always!
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 11-25-2018, 10:27 PM
RV-14E's Avatar
RV-14E RV-14E is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Colorado
Posts: 168
Default

Greetings.

Be careful if it's cold where you are: Keep your plexi warm and happy during cutting, drilling etc.

You can follow my canopy fitting experience here.

Though you can fashion your own, I had Great Lakes Aero make me #40 and #36 plexi bits which give a dubbed off zero rake angle and slow spiral polished flutes. The #27 plexi bit I had from Avery (he's since retired) had a more aggressive rake and a few #27 holes chipped/cracked (though I believe that was due to the metal underneath the plexi rather than the bit itself).



Relative to the countersinks, you are committed to using the standard 100 degree bits that will accept the AN507C632R6 screws. Fear not.

Also, don't forget to paint your glareshield before you attach the canopy. A friend of mine neglected that step. It's not insurmountable, but it's best not to be "that guy"

__________________
-E

http://rv-14a.blogspot.com/

Go here for my free, public-domain, comprehensive GRT LOG and CSV flight data analysis program. Also swallows CSV files from Garmin, Dynon and AFS. Create complete and versatile graphs and Google Earth KMZ files based on your flight.

My RV-14A's POH and checklists (annual and flight) are here.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 11-26-2018, 08:26 AM
iamtheari iamtheari is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: ND
Posts: 452
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by control View Post
I got special plexi drills but was not really happy with them. I then tested and came to the conclusion that ordinary drill bits that was run into concrete for 30 seconds worked muh better than the dedicated bits
How many experiments did you do before you stumbled on that solution? This sounds like the first guy who figured out fermenting grain to make beer, who somehow thought it was a good idea to try drinking the stuff that fermented with that one particular strain of yeast after all his friends and family got sick from different strains of yeast contaminating their grain. I suppose it's safe to save up my used drill bits from aluminum work and abuse them a bit more to prepare them for plexiglass?
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 11-26-2018, 10:09 AM
Nova RV Nova RV is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Leesburg, VA
Posts: 492
Default

There is a video on the EAA web site on plexi and how to make your own bits. I did and they worked fine.
__________________
Chris Moon
Leesburg, VA

CFI-I ASMEL, ATP

RV-14A kit # 140243 (flying as of 11/18)

www.mykitlog.com/chrismoon/
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 11-26-2018, 10:37 AM
lr172 lr172 is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Schaumburg, IL
Posts: 5,297
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by iamtheari View Post
How many experiments did you do before you stumbled on that solution? This sounds like the first guy who figured out fermenting grain to make beer, who somehow thought it was a good idea to try drinking the stuff that fermented with that one particular strain of yeast after all his friends and family got sick from different strains of yeast contaminating their grain. I suppose it's safe to save up my used drill bits from aluminum work and abuse them a bit more to prepare them for plexiglass?
I did several tests and proceeded with the following approach. All holes started with a standard #40 drill bit. Proceed much slower than normal, allowing the drill tip to generate a lot of friction. This results in the plexi getting soft at the drill bit interface. Purposely holding the drill steady with almost no forward pressure helps to avoid grabbing. All holes then enlarged with a quality uni-bit. The uni-bits are quite safe on plexi due to their cutting style.

I experienced no "grabbing" tendency and had no cracks or other issues. Id did wait until summer to do this work to avoid issues with cold plexi.

Not necessarily advocating this approach, but offering experience for other to consider. I am unaware of how sharp my #40 bit was. It wasn't dull, but I don't recall how much use it had when I did this work, however, I am sure it wasn't new.

Larry
__________________
N64LR - RV-6A / IO-320, Flying as of 8/2015
N11LR - RV-10, Flying as of 12/2019

Last edited by lr172 : 11-26-2018 at 10:44 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 11-26-2018, 11:06 AM
bkervaski's Avatar
bkervaski bkervaski is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Birmingham, Alabama
Posts: 1,643
Default

I did the same, ran the bits into a concrete block for about 15 seconds and they worked great, didn't grab.
__________________
RV-14A #140376
N196 (Flying)
2019 Bronze Lindy
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 11-26-2018, 07:24 PM
Rteem Rteem is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Charleston, SC
Posts: 28
Default Tapered Drill Reamer

After trying to dull a few bits, I saw someone else on here recommended tapered drill reamer bits. They are perfect for this and easily drilled through metal and plexi while working on the canopy with extremely clean holes and no cracking.

I got mine custom from Superior Tool Service. The 3 inch ones worked great. You can find all sizes on their website.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 11-27-2018, 08:24 AM
iamtheari iamtheari is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: ND
Posts: 452
Default

What tools should I pick up for smoothing/rounding the edges of the plexiglass? Just waterproof sandpaper or is there some kind of a scraper that would be easier or safer?
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 11-27-2018, 08:29 AM
bkervaski's Avatar
bkervaski bkervaski is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Birmingham, Alabama
Posts: 1,643
Default

A cabinet scraper is what we used and it worked great:

https://www.amazon.com/Crown-375-377.../dp/B01CJHS904
__________________
RV-14A #140376
N196 (Flying)
2019 Bronze Lindy
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 11-27-2018, 02:54 PM
Stockmanreef Stockmanreef is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Midland, mi
Posts: 962
Default

plus 1 for the cabinet scraper. I actually used it to trim the back edge of the canopy. It took a while, but i had sections where very little was needed to be removed.
__________________
Ken Stockman
Midland, MI
EAA Chapter 1093 member

FaceBook Page: Ken's RV-14
RV-14a (serial number 140073)
N73XP

Plane at hangar and the wings ON.
Reply With Quote
Reply


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 05:07 AM.


The VAFForums come to you courtesy Delta Romeo, LLC. By viewing and participating in them you agree to build your plane using standardized methods and practices and to fly it safely and in accordance with the laws governing the country you are located in.