3D Viper-ST 100-120cc scratch build......it continues!

[Mike Chandley]

I have not read the whole thread but got through the mold making.
awesome work! I will need your advise soon on my plug if you would be so kind

 

[Terryscustom]

Sorry for the break in the action, holidays and other things slowed progress over the past couple of weeks. So I have a Viper and three sets of wings all ready to cover so I'll be working on that over the next few days. I got the base color on two sets of Viper wings and a start on the fuse for my current Viper build.

Tomorrow we'll laser some templates and get ready to continue. I use a few simple tools for covering. First you need a precision set of scissors, but they only cost about $8 at Micheals. I keep one set for just covering and one set for covering with paper or backer still in place. I use a separate knife for cutting covering to size and another one for use while covering. You will also need a woodpecker and straight edges.

There are several ways to cover but here is what I do. Rule of thumb is to cover from bottom up and from back forward. I start by filling any inside corners and covering the end caps. Then cover the bottom of the surfaces and then the top. Since my scheme has stripes that swoop down I'm not completely following the back to front rule.

 

[BalsaDust]

looks awesome

 

[tylerzx9r]

Very Nice...... Thanks for another hint! Bottom to top, Back forward.

 

[Terryscustom]

Well, we had some company tonight that wanted to see the laser....not sure if he wanted to sit through an entire airplane cutting but we got a viper cut for Tyler and covering templates for three different planes done

I took a couple pics of the templates on my Viper wings. I'll be working on the fuse tomorrow night so I'll have pics of that coming up.

 

[bbrown2828]

Nice

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk

 

[nebwake]

How do you trim the covering when you seam it? do you cut it in place with a knife, or do you cut it with scissors then tack it down?

 

[Terryscustom]

On edges of wing tips and that sort of thing I just hold my scissors at a bout a 30 degree angle to where I want to cut, start the cut and push the scissors along to cut and leave about a 1/8" lip. For long seams like wing tips I typically tack the covering down along that edge, pull the covering up perpendicular to the surface and cut with a fresh knife blade to form a straight edge. I did just pick up one of these trimmers that leaves a 1/8" edge but I've found two problems with it:
1 - It does not work along a curve at all
2 - I keep calling it nasty names and wanting to toss it across the room. I's difficult to hold the wing, pull the scrap covering tight and push the trimmer all at the same time. Then when you stop the covering bunches up and is hard to start a clean cut again. So far I'm saying the tool is a "fail".

 

[tylerzx9r]

Looking Great! Nice to see some laser cut pcs. labeled for me!

 

[lakerider8]

I have used the cutters they sell for wrapping paper from 3M . They work pretty well for where you overlap your covering edges. Not near good enough for any edges where you have 2 colors though. Like you I use mostly very sharp scissors and exacto knives.