Quick canopy cutting question

[bkthomps]

When you are trimming excess away from the canopy, do you have to support the canopy ends like some have done with a flat surface and two pieces of wood at each end to prevent it from bulging?

I'm trying to figure out what order I am going to do this in, and it seems to me that everyone advocates supporting the canopy with either straps, duct tape, string, or a wooden cradle to maintain shape and reduce stress while drilling the canopy latch hole, having said that, I planned to remove some of the excess first before i drilled the hole- do I need to come up with a support system before trimming excess material around the edges??

[Greg Arehart]

Brian,

Although it may not be "necessary," it certainly doesn't hurt to have a mechanism for holding the canopy in shape when working on it. Less stress = less likelihood of a problem.

My two cents.

Greg

[bkthomps]

i'm also trying to figure out the best way to trim excess from the canopy, flip it upside down and trim along the sides? lay it up on the fuselage and trim while it's sitting quasi in place?

[DanBaier]

I made initial cuts with some duct tape to keep the plastic from spreading out - progressive cuts until done. As you cut away the excess, the canopy gets pretty flexible. Secure it well before making the "big cut."

Dan

[bruceh]

Here is my no cost solution. I used some saw horses. Laid down the end pieces of the finish kit box on the saw horses and then clamped some wood pieces down to hold the canopy bubble from trying to splay outward. I would just hang the canopy over the edge of the platform as needed to trim with the die grinder abrasive wheel provided in the kit. A piece of foam in the center was used for support when the canopy would get flipped over while sanding the edges after trimming. I would not try to do this with the canopy on the fuselage. The acrylic dust is nasty and gets everywhere.

[N9331v]

I just did this last week and it's much easier than most advertise.

I set the temp to 70-75 for a few hours then flipped the canopy upside down, as I cut the sides I would install duct tape on both sides every 10 inches or so for support. I made all initial cuts in about.

For the so called big cut I flipped it back over in the upright position and ran duct tape from the front, middle and aft section side to side to keep from spreading, again as I cut I installed duct tape every 10 inches or so on both sides reducing stress. This cut was completed within 20 min.

I did not use the supplied cut off wheels, I used a vibrating cut off tool, hardly any mess and great control. If ya need pictures let me know.

[Rupester]

....like Ed just described. Had no trouble whatsoever. IMO, the vibrating cutoff tool is PURRfect for cutting plexi and fiberglass.

[swisseagle]

Hello Ed and Therry

I have to do this soon, so I'm interested in more specific information about the "vibration tool". Do you have any pics or a brand name? Type of blade?

Thanks alot,

Dominik

[bkthomps]

Originally Posted by N9331v

If ya need pictures let me know.

i'd love to see pictures- please post!

[N9331v]

I'll get ya the pix when I get back in town afternoon.