Conical Bend Fun

[dwollen89]

I just bent my first side skin conical bend. I think it turned out decent. All the holes line up without to much trouble and I don’t see any cracks…yet . However, I see that the side skin doesn’t quite cover the notches in the tail cone skin. It’s very slight so I’d guess it will be rectified in paint. Is this normal? I’m hesitant to work it any more. If the holes line up, not sure I can make it any better anyway. Any thoughts?

 

[CoolDadTed]

Those look exactly the same as mine. There's no possible adjustment you could make to change that fit that wouldn't cause major problems elsewhere.

 

[wirejock]

Considering how difficult that task is, I say that's pretty good.
The only tip you probably know is to file the relief hole nice and smooth. That's where cracks start. Yep. Found out the hard way and replaced a skin.

 

[dwollen89]

There is an awkward gap that everyone seems to have where the relief hole is at the start of the conical bend. Despite what the instructions say, it seems like the side skin should overlap the belly skin instead of going underneath. I’ve seen other build logs and forum posts where builders push the conical skin toward the center of the fuse and elongate the center holes to tighten up that joint. I’m gonna experiment with that and see if it’s worthwhile.

 

[RV7A Flyer]

There is an awkward gap that everyone seems to have where the relief hole is at the start of the conical bend. Despite what the instructions say, it seems like the side skin should overlap the belly skin instead of going underneath. I’ve seen other build logs and forum posts where builders push the conical skin toward the center of the fuse and elongate the center holes to tighten up that joint. I’m gonna experiment with that and see if it’s worthwhile.

Yeah, I'm not sure the instructions actually say that. The side skins go on top of the bottom skin, ref. DWG 28, upper left shows Bottom View and check Detail D.

 

[dwollen89]

Yeah, I'm not sure the instructions actually say that. The side skins go on top of the bottom skin, ref. DWG 28, upper left shows Bottom View and check Detail D.

Unless I’m missing something or completely interpreting the drawing you referenced wrong, it appears the belly skin overlaps the side skin. That seems consistent with all the build log pictures I’ve looked at as well.

 

[Ralph Inkster]

Save a bit of Pro Seal for those coverups. It’s paintable later.

 

[AlphaCharlieBravo]

I put my skin on the top. Not as sharp of a radius. Reposting this pic from 2012. 5/32nd chainsaw file to open up the relief hole.

Arnie

 

[RV7A Flyer]

Unless I’m missing something or completely interpreting the drawing you referenced wrong, it appears the belly skin overlaps the side skin. That seems consistent with all the build log pictures I’ve looked at as well.

Look at the Bottom View. The dashed lines are the hidden lines depicting the edges of the F778 Aft Bottom Skin, which is "underneath" (as viewed from below) the two F773 Aft Side Skins. Detail D further depicts the stack up, from bottom to top, as F776 Center Bottom Skin on "top" of F770 Forward Side Skin, which is on top of F773 Aft Side Skin, which is on top of F778 Aft Bottom Skin.

I'm not even sure how you'd do that...I'm not at the hangar now, so no access to the plane or pictures on my other computer, but doesn't the bottom skin have a raised stiffener on both sides that runs fore to aft? As shown in Detail D? That's what I recall, at least, from my build (it has been a long time now). But your bottom skin looks completely flat. ???

AHA! I think we're at cross purposes...you called it "belly skin", and I thought you were talking about the aft bottom skin. You're talking about the CENTER botton skin, am I right?

If so, just ignore everything I just said LOL!

 

[dwollen89]

View attachment 80961

Look at the Bottom View. The dashed lines are the hidden lines depicting the edges of the F778 Aft Bottom Skin, which is "underneath" (as viewed from below) the two F773 Aft Side Skins. Detail D further depicts the stack up, from bottom to top, as F776 Center Bottom Skin on "top" of F770 Forward Side Skin, which is on top of F773 Aft Side Skin, which is on top of F778 Aft Bottom Skin.

I'm not even sure how you'd do that...I'm not at the hangar now, so no access to the plane or pictures on my other computer, but doesn't the bottom skin have a raised stiffener on both sides that runs fore to aft? As shown in Detail D? That's what I recall, at least, from my build (it has been a long time now). But your bottom skin looks completely flat. ???

AHA! I think we're at cross purposes...you called it "belly skin", and I thought you were talking about the aft bottom skin. You're talking about the CENTER botton skin, am I right?

If so, just ignore everything I just said LOL!

Yes, bottom center skin. At the conical bend area where the side skin is sandwiched between the center bottom skin and the corner rib. I think we got it figured out, lol.