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  #11  
Old 10-30-2015, 07:06 PM
BillL BillL is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Central IL
Posts: 5,516
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Caummisar View Post
Sport Aviation Jan 2004 pg 97
Timewarp. ! 10 yr old thread - - aren't the original poster finished with their planes now?
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RV-7
Lord Kelvin:
“I often say that when you can measure what you are speaking about,
and express it in numbers, you know something about it; but when you
cannot measure it, when you cannot express it in numbers, your knowledge
is of a meager and unsatisfactory kind.”

Last edited by BillL : 10-30-2015 at 07:52 PM. Reason: cuz people are out of sync.
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  #12  
Old 10-30-2015, 07:21 PM
Charles in SC Charles in SC is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 703
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I glued and riveted. Not flying yet but my reasons were several. Most of the cracks that are reported here start from the holes for the rivets. I riveted mine together first then glued with Sikaflex 295. Doing it this way you cannot have the desired thickness between the canopy and frame but more of a fillet like a weld. I think the Sika will keep the canopy from being able to move and put pressure on the rivet holes. By riveting first I was able to put the canopy in the proper shape to fit good before gluing. With only Sika I am not sure how you would get as good of a fit. I am sure that some folks on here are better at Sika work than I am. One thing that I will mention is that it is VERY important to do all of the steps that the Sika says to do. I did a few test pieces and without all the steps you can pull it apart with your hands. I hope this makes since. And yes, if the powder coat is still on the frame the bond can not be any stronger than the powder coat IMHO. If you want to use the powder coat for your bonding base go for it.
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  #13  
Old 10-30-2015, 07:50 PM
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wirejock wirejock is online now
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Estes Park, CO
Posts: 3,947
Default Silka

This brings up a concern. I want to Silka the canopy.
I think Vans sells the weldments bare if you want.
Would it be advisable to get everything fit then mask off the areas where Silka will adhere so the frame stays bare or is it better to glue to powder coat?
I really want to powder coat the frame something other than Vans white.
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Larry Larson
Estes Park, CO
http://wirejockrv7a.blogspot.com
wirejock at yahoo dot com
Donated 12/03/2019, plus a little extra.
RV-7A #73391, N511RV reserved (2,000+ hours)
HS SB, empennage, tanks, wings, fuse, working finishing kit
Disclaimer
I cannot be, nor will I be, held responsible if you try to do the same things I do and it does not work and/or causes you loss, injury, or even death in the process.
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  #14  
Old 10-31-2015, 07:28 AM
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MikeyDale MikeyDale is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Garden City Texas
Posts: 878
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My frame was powder coated and the I painted it black. I taped off the bonding area and sanded the devil out of it. Prepped it right. I do not have any doubt this stuff will never let go! I drilled some #40 holes thru the canopy and canopy frame and roll bar and used clecos with pieces of small tygon fuel tubing for spacers. I varied the thickness of the fuel tubing spacers to get the required gap and a perfect fit. I then applied the Sika Flex in between the clecos. Next day I removed the clecos and finished the fillets. It worked great and I wouldnt change a thing.
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RV 7 FLYING SINCE 4/2015!
Garden City, Texas
First Flight https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqgxhWH3pqA
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  #15  
Old 10-31-2015, 12:12 PM
judoka5051 judoka5051 is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: McAlpin, FL
Posts: 253
Default Sikaflex at 150 hours

I did the sikaflex method and it's definitely not coming off. Actually, I did it on 2 planes at the same time. I did it on my RV8A and a Zodiac 601 we were selling. I flew the Zodiac to Alabama to the new owner and within a week the canopy was destroyed while being opened in windy conditions (yanked out of his hand). The canopy was cracked in several places and the frame was bent, but the sikaflex held tight. In fact, he couldn't get the sikaflex off the frame and had to buy a new one.
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Lance Logan
McAlpin, FL
Plane at FL10

Scratchbuilt Biplane
Preceptor N3 - Sold
Zenith Zodiac 601HD - Sold (good riddance)
Kitfox IV - Sold my share, but loved that plane
RV8A Sold! Loved the plane, but not the nosewheel!
RVX (RV6/4) Sold
Cherokee 180 pickup truck
RV8 Fastback
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  #16  
Old 11-02-2015, 07:06 AM
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TCONROY TCONROY is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Wilsonville, OR
Posts: 453
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We used Sika to attach our canopy 3 years ago and have been flying for 6 months and 100 problem free hours. I would highly recommend it over using bolts!
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Trevor Conroy CFII, MEI
Airbus Pilot
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First Flight - April 12, 2015

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  #17  
Old 11-02-2015, 07:26 AM
DGlaeser DGlaeser is offline
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Rochester Hills, MI
Posts: 879
Default Sika bonded canopy

I've got 7.5 years and over 400 hours on mine. No holes in my plexi. You could pick up the plane by my canopy - it is that solid a joint. I would not hesitate to bond to the powder coat - just scuff it up and use the cleaner & primer. The powder coat will come off the metal before the Sika comes off the powder coat
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Dennis Glaeser CFII
Rochester Hills, MI
RV-7A - Eggenfellner H6, GRT Sport ES, EIS4000, 300XL, SL30, TT Gemini, PMA6000, AK950L, GT320,
uAvionixEcho ADSB in/out with GRT Safe Fly GPS
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