Repairing Guides

how to repair balsa rc plane

by Dr. Maverick Lebsack Sr. Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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Use thin CA to glue the parts. Reinforce the inside of the landing-gear platform with triangle balsa stock, and use fiberglass or denim material with epoxy to strengthen and bond all the pieces together. On foam planes, use foam-safe CA or epoxy (although this will add some weight) to glue all the pieces back together.

Part of a video titled Balsa Wood Airplane Repair - 3DHS Extra 330 LT - YouTube
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Full Answer

Why build a balsa RC plane?

Thicker foam will improve aerodynamic performance at the expense of greater weight. Balsa solves this problem by allowing you to build a plane that is both light and strong. If you have flown a foam RC plane, you will be pleasantly surprised by the superior performance of a well built balsa plane. You can buy pre built balsa planes of course.

When did you start building balsa airplanes?

I started building balsa airplanes in 1986. I would build a plane, try to fly it, repair minor crash damage, and sell it before totally destroying it. Then I would build another plane and start over.

How do you fix a broken balsa motor?

For balsa models, the fix will require a little more time. Again, glue all the pieces back together with CA. Depending on the construction of the motor area, you can use extra 1/16-inch balsa sheets to reinforce the area, or use light fiberglass with epoxy or CA.

Why are balsa planes better than other airplanes?

The simple answer is because balsa planes fly better. The goal of an airplane designer is to make a structure that weighs as little as possible while being as rigid as possible. Most of the commercially available ready-to-fly models are made of foam, which tends to be rather flexible, which causes performance to suffer.

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How do you fix an RC plane?

9:3216:28Fixing foam 'planes 101 - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThose kind of things I tend to use and then once that foams gone off use a knife with a long blade.MoreThose kind of things I tend to use and then once that foams gone off use a knife with a long blade. And then cut it to as close to the wing as possible.

How do you fix a RC foam plane?

1:5424:30How to Repair a Crashed RC Foam (EPO) Plane - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou could also use um i don't have any here two-part epoxy i generally believe that two-part epoxyMoreYou could also use um i don't have any here two-part epoxy i generally believe that two-part epoxy is one of the strongest methods of gluing things together.

How do you cover a balsa plane with tissue?

1:274:58How To Cover a Model Airplane with Tissue - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipUse the sharp edge of the glue stick rather than the flat face of it this is much more precise andMoreUse the sharp edge of the glue stick rather than the flat face of it this is much more precise and stops the glue being paired off in lumps around the ribs.

What causes an RC plane to porpoise?

porpoising is usually caused by a tail-heavy condition. It is indeed a SA Micro Stik 26in wingspan.

Does Gorilla Glue work on foam?

For casual crafters, an all-purpose glue such as Gorilla Original Glue works well for both hobby and home projects, including styrofoam. This glue can bond to almost everything, including wood, stone, metal, ceramic, glass, and foam.

What is the best glue for foam airplanes?

hot glue works really good on foam. Hands down gorilla glue. Just make sure to wet both surfaces first because that is what creates the foaming reaction. I like to use packing tape to keep the glue from expanding out to far and it also helps keep the pieces together while the glue sets.

How do I attach tissue to balsa model?

There are Lots of methods for attaching tissue to the balsa. One method is to use a glue stick. PVA glue thinned down with water 50/50 is also a good way to go about securing the covering. Simply 'outline' the frame by painting the edges with the glue.

How do you cover an RC plane with fabric?

3:464:43Covering RC Planes with fabric Part 1 of 2 - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd use the tacit down with the poly tack. And one coat of the poly brush alright and you'llMoreAnd use the tacit down with the poly tack. And one coat of the poly brush alright and you'll probably have to make this two-part.

How do you apply Polyspan?

Put your preferred adhesive on the framework. Some people use two or three coats of dope, sanding smooth between coats, then apply the Polyspan using either MEK, Acetone, or dope thinner brushed through the Polyspan to activate the dope and "lock" the Polyspan to the surface.

How do you heal a porpoise?

When the severity of the porpoise is very slight (there is no extreme change in the airplane's pitch attitude), the recommended recovery procedure is to slightly increase the power, which will cushion the subsequent touchdown, and smoothly adjust the pitch to the proper touchdown attitude.

Are bigger RC planes easier to fly?

Long answer, absolutely. Larger models fly a lot better than smaller models, lot easier to see in the air, and generally they can be a lot more fun.

How do you recover from ballooning?

In many cases, a slight balloon can be recovered by gently relaxing back pressure on the yoke/stick while still maintaining a nose-high pitch attitude, descending into a second flare, and touching down. You may have to use a slight amount of power to cushion the landing.

How do you fix crushed foam?

0:001:32Restoring your foam cushion using a steamer - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou'll see it start to swell. That start to puff back up. And just slowly just work it all the wayMoreYou'll see it start to swell. That start to puff back up. And just slowly just work it all the way around the. Cover. Let the steam push all the way through.

How do you fix a foam hinge?

2:475:23Repairing Foam Hinge Options | Quick Tip | Motion RC - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipGlue is always great because you can just beat it right along the edge. And for a control surface i'MoreGlue is always great because you can just beat it right along the edge. And for a control surface i'll put it on a little thicker.

Can you use CA glue on foam?

An odorless CA that really works! Great on styrofoam and foam, without a primer. Medium thick, slow cure. Works on balsa, plywood and most other hobby materials.

Can you use epoxy on foam RC planes?

Multiplex advise not using epoxy on the foam in their kits.

How to repair a torn plane cover?

At the field, you can do a quick repair by using some good-quality packing tape to place over the ripped covering film. Cut the piece of tape so it extends at least 1 inch beyond or around the damaged area.

What prevents wingtip damage?

A number of products on the market will prevent wingtip damage, including plastic wingtip guards and adhesive Mylar that sticks to the covering. Both products prevent damage by taking the brunt of the abrasive impact on the ground. But if you’re like me, too late for that; damage done.

What material to use to glue landing gear together?

Reinforce the inside of the landing-gear platform with triangle balsa stock, and use fiberglass or denim material with epoxy to strengthen and bond all the pieces together. On foam planes, use foam-safe CA or epoxy (although this will add some weight) to glue all the pieces back together.

What can I use to reinforce a motor mount?

Depending on the construction of the motor area, you can use extra 1/16-inch balsa sheets to reinforce the area, or use light fiberglass with epoxy or CA. I also found that Popsicle sticks work great to beef up an area, especially around the motor mount.

What is the most common mishap on an airplane?

By far the most common airplane mishap has to do with the landing gear either getting pancaked or being pulled right off. After all, this is the first thing that touches the ground and is, therefore, most likely the first thing to be broken off.

What happens if you poke your finger through a plane?

This damage occurs when you poke your finger through the covering as you pick up the plane, or when a stick pokes through on landing, or broken parts break through the covering, or during transportation to the field. Any of these events can leave your pristine covering damaged and unsightly.

Do outrunner motors bend?

The new breed of outrunner motors has much more power and durability than motors from just a few years ago. These well-built powerhouses don’t bend or break when the plane encounters a prop strike. The force from the strike is instead transferred to the motor mount, which in many cases is much weaker than the motor.

Why do balsa planes fly better?

The goal of an airplane designer is to make a structure that weighs as little as possible while being as rigid as possible. Most of the commercially available ready-to-fly models are made of foam, which tends to be rather flexible, which causes performance to suffer.

Can you buy a prebuilt balsa plane?

You can buy pre built balsa planes of course. But pre built balsa planes are built by the lowest bidder, using low wage labor, cheap materials, and as little glue as possible. If you do it yourself you get a better airplane, and you may find the experience quite rewarding as well.

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