Leading edges on bagged wings

[rob1978]

ok... so i've been making a new super gee II wing and it came time to do my leading edges on the plane... the last wing i made, i really struggled with the 3m super 77 spray method to get the leading edge fabric on my cores... i found it VERY messy and rushed. i also found that you didn't have much room for mistakes. i think i went through like 5 strips of fabric before i got it to work.

So, this time around i decided to go a different route. i ordered a roll of the 3m 924 transfer tape. this stuff is COOL. it's basically the glue only backed by kraft paper. the bond is SUPER Strong and it's very easy to work with... here are the steps i did for doing my leading edge fabric.

1) measure how much fabric i'll need to cover the whole leading edge
2) roll out that much of the transfer tape and just stick it onto the kevlar on the bias.
3) i cut out the strips with kevlar attached
4) i added a layer of glass to the kevlar by spraying the kevlar with a mist of super77 spray mount and then sticking it to my fiberglass and cutting it out
5) i then peeled back the kraft paper backing and starting at the root applied the fabric strip to the leading edge. i only peeled back a little of the kraft paper at a time as to not get into a huge mess with the tape.

with this process i was able to take my time with the leading edge fabric and in the end the results came out GREAT! no wrinkles, no sticky fingers, and i nailed it the first time!
here are some pics.. note that some of the pics are borrowed as i didn't photograph everything.

-rob

[mlavelle]

So Rob that came out really nice you are becoming quite the builder. So where does one get this magic bullet. I would also like to give it a try on the many projects that I've got going.

[rob1978]

mike.. thanks for the compliment! i bought it online from amazon.com.. it was 10 bucks for the roll shipped to my door... the roll itself was only like 4 bucks.. then shipping charges.. not sure if any store sells it locally.

if you buy some.. talk to phil A first, i think he was interested in buying some too... maybe he'll split the shipping.. matter of fact, i'll take another roll too... so that would be 3 of us to split the shipping ... i got the 3/4 inch tape.. not the 1/2 inch.. i like the extra 1/4 inch for good measure! ;D

[ridr44]

Wow Rob, looks great. Very professional. Just may have to have you do mine:)

[petefly58]

Rob,

Those kevlar leading edges look very neat. I remember that step as being tricky with the 3M 77 method when Frank and I built the Super Gee.

Pete

[gasbag]

Hey Rob,

Shhhhhhh! what are you doing giving away all those secrets.

You'll never stay competitive if all the Good flyers become good builders

[rob1978]

lol... it'll force me to keep my skills sharp!