6/1/2008
Does anyone know where the month of May went? That was one quick month...
Today I finally got started on trimming the canopy. Temps were in the mid 80's (87 in the garage), so it was plenty warm out to get going on this thing. First, I wrestled with the floppy plexi to get it down from the guest room. That is a two person job, but I couldn't find anyone else but me. Here it is on the garage floor.
Before I did anything, I had to get the canopy frame all clamped back down nice and tight. This is a pic we've seen before, but today's version. :o)
Next I laid the canopy on the fuselage to draw a centerline lengthwise. Nothing on the fuselage was used as a reference, but it was easier this way to measure it out. I used a piece of duct tape wrapped around the other side as another hand while moving it. Worked great!
Here's the centerline drawn on the vinyl.
Then I worked on marking and masking out the initial trim lines all around the canopy. This is just to remove the clamping marks that are made in the forming process. I did go a little farther in on the front of the canopy because it will be trimmed at least to the start of the bubble anyway. Then it was moved outside, and I'm ready to go!
I also taped down all the edges of the vinyl sheets to make sure they will not allow any plexi dust underneath. The black tape is the handle to move the thing around.
First cut!
Okay, so initial impressions...First, IT'S NOT HARD TO DO AT ALL!! It is time consuming, but it's easy. Seriously. Second, take a look at this picture...
That's the front piece that was trimmed off, and it has not been edge finished. Not even touched with a file or sandpaper, and it is pliable enough to touch the edges to one another, and there are NO indications of any cracks from stress risers any where around it. I've drawn an early conclusion that there is no freakin' way that you will crack the canopy while cutting the thing. If the temperature is cooler, MAYBE, but it just ain't gonna happen above 80 degrees.
Third, the dust created it easily dealt with. It is hot coming off the cutoff wheel, but it's no big deal. It is MESSY, and will cover head to toe easily. Wipes right off though. I did all the cutting today in the driveway, but I think it could be done in the garage without much issue.
With the first cut out of the way, I moved on to the back of the canopy. Slow goin', but another cut is done.
I ran out of time to do the side cuts today, but this is a great place to stop and relax a bit. You can see the dust on the canopy in that pic. It's just a nuisance. Easy to clean up.
The only other RV thought I have for today is about engines again. Yesterday I stopped by Rob's hanger (who is getting REALLY close to flying), and he asked me about my little rant from my last web entry the other day. He wondered if I was seriously thinking about the Chevy powerplant from Belted Air Power. I said no, I was just venting some steam...although I have always liked that alternative, and did do a lot of reading about it last week. I've thought about it some more, and it may not be such a bad idea to look in to it some more. Low revs on an engine that is as simple as a Lycoming (1955 design on the Chevy), and reliability on par with a Lyc, parts are WAY cheaper, performance is similar, and it burns less fuel (so they claim). Interesting...
3.25 hours