VansAirForceForums  
Home > VansAirForceForums

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

- Today's Posts | Insert Pics

  #11  
Old 05-22-2011, 05:29 AM
Tom Martin Tom Martin is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 1,544
Default

The best method would involve removing the tip by drilling out the rivets. You could remove the aileron and rill out the aft tip rib and work through that hole but that would be more work then removing the tip. If you are trying to save painted rivets then that might be your best method but you will still need to repaint the tip rib rivets and trailing edge.
The whole process, and soundness, will be much better and likely faster if you just remove the tip after the alignment procedure I mentioned in an earlier post.
__________________
Tom Martin RV1 pilot 4.6hours!
CPL & IFR rated
EVO F1 Rocket 1000 hours,
2010 SARL Rocket 100 race, average speed of 238.6 knots/274.6mph
RV4, RV7, RV10, two HRIIs and five F1 Rockets
RV14 Tail dragger

Fairlea Field
St.Thomas, Ontario Canada, CYQS
fairleafield@gmail.com
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 05-22-2011, 06:59 AM
KTM520guy's Avatar
KTM520guy KTM520guy is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Texas, where else.
Posts: 450
Default

The only thing that I could add is to sand all the gel coat off in the repair area. Machine sanding is best. Personally I use a 36 grit disk on a die grinder.
__________________
RV-8A builder
A&P mechanic
Aviation Plasticized Pigmented Polymer Application Engineer
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 05-03-2012, 06:21 PM
socal socal is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Bakersfield, CA L45
Posts: 48
Default fiber glass tip problem

I have RV8A in process, wing tips (W715, bat wings) are warped badly (actually the left one) from apparently being stored flat in a garage for several years.
I can lay tongue depressers across an area 4" from the inboard (so the sticks are pointing wing tip to fuselage for about 20" in length.
A marble could be rolled under the sticks without them.
We have tried heat gun, heating up glass putting a piece of 1/2 wood and clamping to inside let it cool to no avail.
We had someone suggest heating, clamping and putting ice on it to supercool, again no help.
We are thinking of adding foam ribs, or wooden dowels or ?????
Maybe easier to buy new set if anyone has extra they might want to sell.
I have lights installed and also nutplates for mounting which took a lot of work. Any suggestions would be helpful and appreciated.
Please email me @ avdilger@yahoo.com
L45 Bakersfield, CA Thx
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 05-03-2012, 09:07 PM
tx_jayhawk tx_jayhawk is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Olathe, KS
Posts: 374
Default

Socal,

I had the exact same problem, and I stored my tips vertically!. I bought another used set on this site, and they had the problem as well. I mentioned it to some other fellow builders to check their tips, and they had the issue as well. I was going to buy a new tip, but I'm not convinced a new one will be any better.

With a heat gun I was able to push out most of the divet. I am now adding ribs, then I will fill what's left. I'm open to other great ideas if others have them.

Thanks,
Scott
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 05-04-2012, 01:08 AM
MrNomad's Avatar
MrNomad MrNomad is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 823
Default Same problem

When I got my kit it had been sitting for several years and the wing tips were very wavy. I tried several things but ended up using the credit card to solve the problem.
__________________
Barry - Tucson
RV9A Superior O-360 (an amazing experience)
Dynon AP Garmin Sensenich F/P
2020 Dues paid. Thank u DR!
Reply With Quote
  #16  
Old 05-04-2012, 05:58 AM
Captain Avgas Captain Avgas is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 1,868
Default Me too

The right tip for my RV7A was of absolutely abysmal fabrication. I have reasonable fibreglassing skills but it didn't take long for me to realise that the supplied tip was beyond repair. I couldn't believe that they had sent me such junk. In the end I had to cough up for a new tip plus freight to Australia. The freight was more than the cost of the tip. That hurt but I had no option.

I asked Vans to ensure that the replacement tip was of good quality...and it was. In fact there was no comparison between the two. I don't believe that they were made by the same company.

Even a small deformity of the tips can have a big influence on the aircraft being out of balance because they are located so far outboard.

I recommend you buy a new tip and specify to vans in no uncertain terms that you want a decent one this time. It worked for me.

PS. If you try to repair the tip you'll have to remove it from the wing first. There's no way you can repair it with it still attached. You've got to get inside.
__________________
You’re only as good as your last landing
Bob Barrow
RV7A

Last edited by Captain Avgas : 05-04-2012 at 08:45 PM.
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 12:35 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.