Emp Trailing Edge radii...

Section 5 on Trailing Edges says plans detail the desired radius you
want with your 2 hinged planks of wood. However, I cannot see this
figure anywhere on the plans? Any hints as to a good value to try and
achieve, and while we're there, the pitfalls in doing so!

Alternatively, and looking at the diagrams, the Radius might not be important (?), but just achieving flat surfaces, as indicated by Fig 5-7 ?

Thanks in advance

Andy Hill
RV-8 QB, UK

Hi Andy!

Here is a pic I took of my buddies, Dave and Dave (coincedently enough) bending Dave's trailing edge with Dave's homemade brake.

Get two 2x6's, sand em and laquer 'em. Slap a set of hinges on one side and drill through them for threaded rod or bolts to pass though so you can compress it accurately and firmly.



This method works quite well. My edges are true and sharp.

Make sure you seat a 1/8" wooden dowel in the rearmost portion of the trailing edge to prevent it from becoming creased.



We complete the bending process with the skeleton inserted into the skin and clecoed in place in order to assure proper alignment.

Hope this helps!

CJ

Many thanks CJ...

Also got this from Van's:
-------------------------------------
The radius is approximately 3/32" (3/16" diameter). The flatness of
the skins is more important than the exact radius. If you get too
sharp a radius, there is danger of cracking the skin
-------------------------------------
which all agrees....

Andy