Brodhead Pietenpol Association

Original Posted By: "Craigo"
Since the list is exceptionally quiet and I asked this question of a friend and didn't get an answer I'll throw it out to the list. My 3 covering manuals and 43-13 and Bingelis all say fabric needs to be "overlapped" 2" on leading edges and 1" everywhere else. Nowhere do they say anything about glueing it down to the wood where there is no "overlap" like at the forward end of the turtle deck, the front end of the fuselage, the area around my bellcrank access hatch etc. My manuals avoid this like it never happens. Is there a specified width of glue area that the end of a piece of fabric must be cemented down to so that the shrinking doesn't pull it loose. I'm not covering yet but while I'm doing the wood work is a good time to know how wide an area I'll need later on. Seems I've seen 2" somewhere but I can't find it now. Thanks Ed________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By: "walter evans"
Ed -It is generally accepted (and is in my older Polyfibermanual) that you need at least 1" glued down to thebase material in those areas. If you want a neaterjob, cover the whole of the base material at the frontof the turtle deck, and the whole width of the formermaterial elsewhere (the firewall metal will cover allof the front). The fabric to fabric joins also need tobe 1", over structure, and stringers do not count asstructure. Fortunately in the Piet, there are nostringers as such, unless you count the ones in theturtledeck, but you wouldn't want an overlap thereanyway.On small fuselages such as the Piet, I've covered thebottom with one piece, then wrapped fabric completelyfrom the bottom longeron on one side to the other, overthe top.However you do it, the modern fabrics are so nice thatit will come out as a terrific job, and you will beproud of it.CraigLake Worth, FLBakeng Duce NX96CWPeoplePC: It's for people. And it's just smart. http://www.peoplepc.com ________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By: "Ed Grentzer"
Ed,I can only answer on how it pertains to Poly Fiber, but here goes.On an overlap, on say the trailing edge, only glue the overlap itself to theframe. The same with the leading edge. Then when one side is done, tightenthe fabric to only about 225/250 to get all the wrinkles out of the largeside so the other overlap has a smooth area to glue to.The turtledeck doesn't need an overlap, just secure with glue, the fwd about1", and after tightening the fabric, by putting on the poly brush, thissoaks thru and completes the bond in the large area.Very Important!!!!! any large area of plywood like leading edge orturtledeck MUST be coated with at least 2 coats of poly brush before fabricis put on. If not you can never fill the weave and You'll be plagued withair bubbles later.Also, I could never get used to the process of putting raw glue to the woodand laying fabric into it. I used the method used in Super Flyte processwhere two coats of glue are put where the overlaps will be, then after thefabric is layed on exactly where you want it, and held with clothes pins orclamps, You "strike thru" with MEK ( with a small amount of glue mixed in)and with some light rubbing , the glue reactivates and oozes thru thefabric. Lot more pleasant way to do it.Just remember that the overlaps on the trailing edge don't have to go overand under. The lower can wrap to the top with a one inch glued portiontraveling 1" fwd on the trailing edge, and the top piece just has to go tothe trailing edge and not under.rule of thumb would to not glue anything on the finished surface that willbe tightened later, so it can move around during tighteningwaltNX140DL----- Original Message -----

Original Posted By: "walter evans"
Subject: Re: Pietenpol-List: fabric questionThanks Craig and Walt for the great replies on the fabric question. Iguess I'm okay because I put 2" minmum of plywood in those areas....ThenI started to wonder about it. Walt , are you in the air yet?? Ed________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By: "Ed G."
Ed,Technically I was. Was doing Faster and faster taxis when at 40mph, andhalf throttle, I was flying. Once over the shock, went and did it 2 moretimes on purpose. After about 12 times, your head gets muddy, and it'stime to quit.If the nice weather comes back, I'll be there.walt----- Original Message -----

Original Posted By: "John McNarry"
Subject: Re: Pietenpol-List: fabric questionWow...Congratulations Walt....I still have trouble with the concept offlight at 40 MPH....And at half throttle no less....Awesome. Good luckwith the rest of your flight testing. Ed________________________________________________________________________________