DaleB
Well Known Member
Hi guys.
So far every time I have needed to trim fiberglass, it's been non-critical. Either the cut edge was going inside aluminum skins, or I could clean up the edge with a vixen file to get it straight. I have used a die grinder with an abrasive wheel to do the cutting - the results are less than pretty.
Now I'm about to cut the wingtips for the hinge installation method. The edge needs to be nice and straight, and I don't want a gap - so as thin a kerf as possible would be good. So, how would you recommend cutting the tip? I have a Dremel, but don't have a whole lot of confidence in my ability to make a perfectly straight 3' long cut.
I've already got the wing and wingtip drilled for the wider P4 hinge half, and it's clecoed in place. I have thought about making the cut, doing any cleanup with a file as needed, then clamping the flange and hinge back in place before drilling the outboard hinge. Or maybe making some sort of guide that I could use to keep the Dremel aligned with the edge of the fiberglass while making the cut, or using a coping saw to try to keep the cut straighter. What have others done here? I don't want to screw up the wingtip. I think this will look great - but only if the cut is straight and there's not a big gap between the wing skin and wingtip., otherwise it will look like crud.
So far every time I have needed to trim fiberglass, it's been non-critical. Either the cut edge was going inside aluminum skins, or I could clean up the edge with a vixen file to get it straight. I have used a die grinder with an abrasive wheel to do the cutting - the results are less than pretty.
Now I'm about to cut the wingtips for the hinge installation method. The edge needs to be nice and straight, and I don't want a gap - so as thin a kerf as possible would be good. So, how would you recommend cutting the tip? I have a Dremel, but don't have a whole lot of confidence in my ability to make a perfectly straight 3' long cut.
I've already got the wing and wingtip drilled for the wider P4 hinge half, and it's clecoed in place. I have thought about making the cut, doing any cleanup with a file as needed, then clamping the flange and hinge back in place before drilling the outboard hinge. Or maybe making some sort of guide that I could use to keep the Dremel aligned with the edge of the fiberglass while making the cut, or using a coping saw to try to keep the cut straighter. What have others done here? I don't want to screw up the wingtip. I think this will look great - but only if the cut is straight and there's not a big gap between the wing skin and wingtip., otherwise it will look like crud.