Toronto Electric Model Aviation Club Forum

Toronto Electric Model Aviation Club (TEMAC) => Building / Construction => Topic started by: gordonbw on November 02, 2015, 09:09:46 PM

Title: Source for phenolic board?
Post by: gordonbw on November 02, 2015, 09:09:46 PM
Hey guys... Looking for a local source for 1/8" phenolic board or Micarta.... Often used for firewalls but my application is a little different (double leg landing gear for a Beaufighter).  Here's what I mean...

http://www.rcmodel.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/sdrnrlg25.jpg
http://www.rcmodel.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/sdrnrlg26.jpg

Ideas anyone?
Title: Re: Source for phenolic board?
Post by: Wingnutz on November 03, 2015, 09:15:36 AM
Gordon,
Can't help with sourcing your phenolic stuff, but intrigued by your solution to creating double leg landing gear.
Is this your design? Have you tried it before?
To me, it looks like the retract struts are reversed in the retract trunions???
That's what I ended up doing with my BH Mosquito (double leg from another model)and after a few landings (or one if it's rough), I have to remove the strut and tighten the coil or the retract binds and stalls when it tries to retract fully.
Interesting design!
Keep us posted, once it's flying!
Title: Re: Source for phenolic board?
Post by: gordonbw on November 03, 2015, 02:25:20 PM
Not my design -- Bob Benjamin's (http://www.rcmodel.com/2013/02/building-the-sig-do-217-kit-adding-retract-gear-2/).  The Flair Beaufighter kit I'm starting is designed as a belly lander, and that's Just Wrong!  So I'm looking at adding standard E-Flite retracts and fudging the double-leg gear.

I know Glenn added retracts to his Flair Me110 so it should be possible.  Just have to figure out how best to reinforce the wing to accommodate gear mounts.
Title: Re: Source for phenolic board?
Post by: michaely on November 03, 2015, 08:58:14 PM
Aircraft Spruce in Brantford carries 1/8" (and other thicknesses) of phenolic:
https://www.aircraftspruce.ca/categories/building_materials/bm/menus/cs/specials/index.html

The other material that would work is electronic circuit board material.... typically pale green, comprised, I believe of linen layers bonded in resin..... I've used in where very high strength/minimal thickness is required some fuselage bulkheads....... the problem is that most "consumer" electronic gear has/had fairly thin (1/32", 1/16" thicknesses)... I suppose epoxy could bond several layers..... or a salvage outfit might have thicker pieces.

good luck

Michael in Newmarket
Title: Re: Source for phenolic board?
Post by: pmackenzie on November 03, 2015, 09:39:11 PM
"phenolic" is usually linen fibres with phenolic resin.
Circuit board material is generally fibre glass based with epoxy resin.

Pat MacKenzie
Title: Re: Source for phenolic board?
Post by: Crazyflyer on November 03, 2015, 10:24:28 PM
Hi Gordon, I have 1/8" thk black phenolic from an old display job, I am happy to give you some if that works. how much would you need?


Title: Re: Source for phenolic board?
Post by: gordonbw on November 04, 2015, 05:42:46 AM
Wow, thanks! I only need small piece -- 6" x 6" would be fine.  What's the best way to exchange?  I live in east Toronto.