[Theodan]

Hi guys, I'm building an eagle 2 and have covered everything using koverall. I've got a slight warp in the horizontal stabilizer. It is hard to tell from the picture, but using my table saw as a flat surface one side of the stabilizer is a couple mm off the table. Is there any good way of fixing this? Should I try to hear up one side to tighten the fabric a bit more?

[Richard Lee]

Dan,
This should be an easy fix and you are on the right track with heating the fabric some more. I have corrected this problem several times with good success.

This is a two person job. Have someone flex the stab in the direction you want to straighten and flex it somewhat past flat. While they hold it flexed, you will see new wrinkles in the fabric that were not there before. Iron the fabric tight while your assistant continues to hold the stab twisted past straight. One all sides are ironed, release the stab. It will spring back to - hopefully - a flat position. Good luck.

[Amanks7477]

You could just try to tighten up one side a bit. Best bet to me would be not to worry about it too much, if is that slight, you should be able to trim it out in flight pretty easy.

[cessna180]

Koverall will not keep shrinking and shrinking. It reaches a maximum and 250 degrees on your iron is max. Hotter and you can destroy the fabric and no heat gun, to hot. What did you glue the koverall on with. I use dope and if you did it will release with thinners. If not there is no fix. On a build check before covering and also shrink progressively on both sides.
Many times I insert a carbon fibre square rod against the warped lumber. The other fix would be to glue a carbon fibre strip to the trailing edge with some reverse pressure clamped, but then there is a hinging problem. More thought needed.
Michael

[cessna180]

If you belong to Elgin Flyers ,I do, PM me, I build for others and may be able to help.
Michael

[Dennis Pedersen]

Originally Posted by Richard Lee

Dan,
This should be an easy fix and you are on the right track with heating the fabric some more. I have corrected this problem several times with good success.

This is a two person job. Have someone flex the stab in the direction you want to straighten and flex it somewhat past flat. While they hold it flexed, you will see new wrinkles in the fabric that were not there before. Iron the fabric tight while your assistant continues to hold the stab twisted past straight. One all sides are ironed, release the stab. It will spring back to - hopefully - a flat position. Good luck.

Do this as Richard has posted. Simple fix.

[Theodan]

Thanks guys! I hadn't built or flown for about 18 years so I have been working on this eagle 2 to get back into things. I have never used koverall either. I have a gp 40 cub I am working on too that I wanted to cover with fabric so I figured I'd practice first on the trainer. I was able to heat the covering a bit more to get the warp out. Installing the elevator has also seemed to help keep it straight. Again thanks for your help

Mike, I am not a member yet. I used to fly with the Bluewater rc flyers when I was in high school. I would like to join the Elgin flyers this spring. I used stix it to glue the fabric, I may try dope next time to give me a chance to reposition things like you said.

[cessna180]

I have been in the rc aircraft building an full size re building for a long time. I have years of experience using Dacron and dope. That is what I know and am happy to help.
Michael