I just finished my canopy fiberglass layup and removed the canopy from the fuse. I have a couple of ragged holes where I had to cut away the fiberglass in order to get at the pivot bolts, and I'm thinking about how to finish those holes up so they look nice and clean.
I've seen some examples of RV-12s with a large counterbore in that area, big enough to get that large washer out. Those counterbores seem to go perilously close to the front edge of the canopy arm, which I don't think looks particularly good. But for those who have gone this route, how did you make a nice clean round counterbore that's big enough to clear that washer and concentric to the bolt hole?
I've also seem some planes that have a smaller counterbore: some that are just big enough for a ratchet socket, others only just big enough for the head of a socket head cap screw. I was thinking of making a smaller counterbore by temporarily putting the bolt in place, covering the bolt head with its matching socket (maybe with a couple layers of tape and some mold release on it) and filling the gap between the socket and the canopy with epoxy/filler. This would give me a nice tight and concentric counterbore.
Question here is: Is it okay to epoxy that big washer into the canopy? I'm reluctant to do that since it seems like the canopy needs to pivot relative to the washer. Can I cover that washer with mold release, so that it ends up being captured in the canopy but can still rotate? Or can I use a smaller washer so that it can come out of the smaller counterbore? (Do I really need a big washer there? I don't really see the need...)
I'd appreciate input (and pics/links) on how others have tackled this.
Thanks
I've seen some examples of RV-12s with a large counterbore in that area, big enough to get that large washer out. Those counterbores seem to go perilously close to the front edge of the canopy arm, which I don't think looks particularly good. But for those who have gone this route, how did you make a nice clean round counterbore that's big enough to clear that washer and concentric to the bolt hole?
I've also seem some planes that have a smaller counterbore: some that are just big enough for a ratchet socket, others only just big enough for the head of a socket head cap screw. I was thinking of making a smaller counterbore by temporarily putting the bolt in place, covering the bolt head with its matching socket (maybe with a couple layers of tape and some mold release on it) and filling the gap between the socket and the canopy with epoxy/filler. This would give me a nice tight and concentric counterbore.
Question here is: Is it okay to epoxy that big washer into the canopy? I'm reluctant to do that since it seems like the canopy needs to pivot relative to the washer. Can I cover that washer with mold release, so that it ends up being captured in the canopy but can still rotate? Or can I use a smaller washer so that it can come out of the smaller counterbore? (Do I really need a big washer there? I don't really see the need...)
I'd appreciate input (and pics/links) on how others have tackled this.
Thanks