Shaping Clay

[Jim P]

For the intersection fairings, what' the best method for shaping clay for F/G layups? What's worked for everyone? I've used pre-made upper and lower, but find that I need to do some additional fairing with clay/ F/G to get the fairings to match the gear leg fairings.

[Randy Hooper]

Learned from Sam James: Cut the end from a tin can, cutting from the side. This leaves the bead on the lid. Start scraping. By using the proper size can, you will end up with a nice desired radius in your clay.

Randy Hooper

[Transporter]

As stated above, find can lids that give you the radius you want:
2 lb coffee can works well for the outer radius, and a soup can works well for the inner radius.

A large (2-3") screw-type radiator clamp also makes a great adjustable scraper.

Mike

[TSwezey]

They have some light weight modeling clay at Wal-mart. My daughter is an art student and she used that to do some of the shaping on my fuselage. She shaped it and I covered it with glass.