Skin edge deburring

[TShort]

I have a technique for this and the results are good but after looking at the skin edges on my factory tanks for the -15 I wondered if there is another trick / technique.

I use a file to knock down the big burrs and even things out, then pass over the edge with this tool followed by scotchbrite, either on the grinder or a hand tool:



Scotchbrite leaves scuffs on the alclad, like this:



I note that the factory skins have perfectly smooth edges with no scuff marks. Wondering how they achieve that…

 

[nohoflyer]

Are you planning on priming the parts? Cause if so you’re going to lightly scratch the surfaces of the alclad anyhow. If these are internal to the tanks you won’t be I’m guessing.

 

[TShort]

No priming of skins for me.

I'm fine with my current technique, just wondering how the factory does it / if there is some other trick or tool that I may not be aware of.

 

[flymore]

I'm experimenting with a 1" wheel on a die grinder.

 

[wirejock]

Skins are easy. Vixen file along the edge. The part in your photo? Whatever works for you. Personally, I never liked that Scraper tool. It nade more tooling marks than it removed burns. I ended up cleaning up from using it. Files work just as well. 1" wheels on a Dremel work well. The big scotchbrite wheel is easy. I doubt Vans is spending much time deburring. Probably why parts are still shiny. Or they debur while the blue vinyl is attached.

 

[rocketman1988]

I'm experimenting with a 1" wheel on a die grinder.

1” wheel in a die grinder works great but you need to keep moving at a constant rate. Also, if you keep using the same section of the wheel, a groove will appear rapidly. Not an issue unless you let it get too deep.

 

[lipper03]

Paul's video in the kit planes YouTube series Metal Magic is a good how to for many techniques.