Since joining the club earlier this year, I have seen a few different people flying these neat blue triangles around, and they looked like a lot of fun. Reading the forum every now and then I figured out what they where and why so many people have one. I know the good weather is on its way out, but I thought I'd take stab at making my own Warwing.
A bit of scouring the forums and google turned up warwingdelta.com, which is no longer an active website, but I was able to find the plans and assembly instructions hosted on a Florida flying club's website.
So I made the trek to Lowes, picked up some of the blue stuff, and got to work laying out the wings. Since I have enough material, I am going to cut two full planes out, so I have a backup if I mess one up too badly.
By dinner time I had two wings and noses cut out. The cuts were kind rough, but I'm not to worried if the whole thing shrinks a few millimetres from sanding. I plan on radiusing all the edges anyway.
Things to work out for the next stages:
- What glue to use? I was thinking Gorilla Glue (the amber stuff) or 5 minute epoxy. I may cut and glue a couple test pieces over night.
- Should I sand the edges to be glued? They are the rough factory edges from the sides of the sheet. My first thought is no, the rough surface will give the glue more to bite into. Just use some Glue with good gap filling. (Gorilla Glue expands/foams up nicely)
- Motor mount. To 3D print or to not 3D print? My past printed motor mounts didn't like much heat, but I'm not planning on over-propping this too much... ;D
- Servos, will cheap 9g servos cut it? I don't think so. Will think more on this.
- Wing reinforcement. Fibre tape or fibre tape and a spar? Carbon square tube, or strip, maybe an old arrow. Hmm.
- To laminate or not to laminate? I have found some self adhesive vinyl at the dollar store, may try it out. No iron required :)
- Paint. I feel like spray paint will eat the foam, and my airbrush would take forever to paint a model this big. Guess I'm breaking out a roller. Will test a few paints.
Photos:
1 - 2x8 sheet of the blue stuff. Thankfully my Dad has a old half-ton Ford, so we were able to haul this super heavy cargo back in one piece.
2 - Printed plans to work from.
3 - Maths to figure out how to make the wing in two pieces (nose and main section).
4 - Making sure my math was right.
5 - Main sections drawn.
6 - The ol' level as a straight edge technique.
7 - My math was right!
8 - Two wings and noses done! Sitting next to my Flite Test F-22 plans that just got a coat of spray glue on the back. Focus is not my strong suit.
9 - Sparring with my thoughts. Sorry, couldn't think of a better (or worse, depending on your stance) pun. Thinking about spars.
In case you haven't seen them, there are several threads on buliding and covering warwings in the forums them Mike
http://temac.ca/smf/index.php/topic,6695.msg43997.html#msg43997
Maybe some ideas for you
Thanks, I'll check em out :)
Hi
@Mike_Kilo ,
What I want to know is how you intend to use that guitar fret on the nose of your Warwing (see photo #1)! :D
Andy
interesting choice of words Andy.
Considering you chose "Nose" of the plane, and that a guitar uses a "pick" ;D
Actually
@Andy Hoffer I was gunna use the whole thing, not just the frets. ;D
Was thinking something like this:
Wait, it's supposed to be a warwing... like this:
Hey
@Mike_Kilo ,
How about guitar strings trailing instead of crepe paper streamers. Imagine the excitement when your attacker eats those! :D
Andy
Now that would be something to fret about
Sorry - couldn't resist
Here is another idea. Although I have some concerns about its flight-worthyness. Wind tunnel time must be booked.
Quote from: msatin on October 02, 2020, 12:19:14 AM
Now that would be something to fret about
Sorry - couldn't resist
hey
@msatin,
Glad you didn't !!
Andy
Quote from: Mike_Kilo on October 02, 2020, 12:43:05 AM
Here is another idea. Although I have some concerns about its flight-worthyness. Wind tunnel time must be booked.
Hey
@Mike_Kilo ,
Fabulous idea! Just beef up the amp (say 30 lbs empty) with five 8S-4000 packs (about 2 lbs per pack) pushing 30 amps. That will give you about 120 watts/lb, more than enough for a Warwing! Unless it's
@Frank v B 's, which will squawk at anything less than 200 watts/lb!
Definitely takes Air Guitar to new heights! 8) (Can't wait to see what
@msatin does with this one!!)
Andy
I designed and 3D printed a simple sanding block for shaping a nice radius on the leading edges of my Warwing (or any other 1/2in. material). Sandpaper is held on with 3M Super77 spray glue.
It works well, but it helps to do a bit of rough shaping first, otherwise it takes a while to remove all the material (using 220 grit for a nice finish, and to reduce tearout).
I could have made similar tool out of wood rather quickly, but 3D printing is good way to go if you want to experiment with more exotic shapes. I am thinking of printing one with more of an airfoil shape, and maybe some to sand 45 and 90 degree bevels.
Very cool
@Mike_Kilo !
I just use a flat sander and rotate it around the edge as I sand and eyeball the leading edge profile. Works fine, and is easier to load sandpaper. And one less tool to clutter the bench!!
Why not 3d print a whole leading edge and glue it onto the flat edge of the foam!!! ;D
Andy
You're missing the point
@Andy Hoffer. It doesn't necessarily have to be practical, it just has justify to myself the cost of the printer! ;D
Plus, my workbench primarily a home for my tools. They begrudgingly share the space with my projects.
I do like the 3D printed leading edge idea! A new hybrid construction method!
Quote from: Mike_Kilo on October 03, 2020, 03:17:37 PM
You're missing the point @Andy Hoffer. It doesn't necessarily have to be practical, it just has justify to myself the cost of the printer! ;D
Plus, my workbench primarily a home for my tools. They begrudgingly share the space with my projects.
I do like the 3D printed leading edge idea! A new hybrid construction method!
I knew that as soon as you said, "3D printed a simple sanding block" !! ;D
You are kidding no one!
Andy
3D printing isn't difficult or frightening, Andy!
Quote from: bfeist on October 03, 2020, 09:09:57 PM
3D printing isn't difficult or frightening, Andy!
Hi
@bfeist ,
Difficult, no, but I would I would posit that considerable seismic domestic emanations would manifest from our domicile if a certain person that I live with were to discover yet another piece of hardware in our already crowded and cluttered workshop, which doubles as a repository for our heavily trafficked second refrigerator, our overflow pantry, and innumerable planes piled up in the middle of the room!! "Frightening" would be an understatement!!8)
Andy
Says the guy who just picked up Michael's lot of excess tools :)
Quote from: bfeist on October 04, 2020, 12:30:59 AM
Says the guy who just picked up Michael's lot of excess tools :)
Hi
@bfeist,
Michael's excess tools quickly melted away into the dark recesses of my workbench, my darkroom, and the interstitial voids under the table in my shop which supports my aircraft collection (both airworthy and in-queue for restoration), which somewhat resembles an amorphous Croquembouche. The total volumetric requirement was less than 2 cubic feet. And if one judiciously applies limit theory by dividing said volume into an infinite number of infinitesimally small pieces (which is quite reasonable given the diversity and quantity of said tools, accessories and other vintage goodies), then the sum of those pieces approaches zero, i.e. the desired threshold for detection. A 3D printer does not afford one such divisibility and hence would be a magnet for a most critical observation which would rival COVID-19 as a threat to my longevity! 8)
Andy
The following is a public service language translation for normal people, from Hoffer to English:
Andy can hide the tools purchase from his wife to avoid conflict, but not a 3-D printer.
That about sums it up! 8)
Andy
At risk of this turning into a thread about 3D printed sanding blocks, here is a photo of my latest 3D printed sanding block! ;D
This one is clearly for sanding nice square edges.
More on topic, my glue test showed me that both Gorilla Glue and 5-Minute epoxy form a joint stronger than the foam, so I doubt it matters what I use. Since I am building two airframes, I may use one on each.
Great stuff
@Mike_Kilo . Your sanding blocks are really works of art that should be given some wings and fitted for flight. :D
Andy
Quote from: Mike_Kilo on October 03, 2020, 02:22:54 PM
I designed and 3D printed a simple sanding block for shaping a nice radius on the leading edges of my Warwing (or any other 1/2in. material). Sandpaper is held on with 3M Super77 spray glue.
It works well, but it helps to do a bit of rough shaping first, otherwise it takes a while to remove all the material (using 220 grit for a nice finish, and to reduce tearout).
I could have made similar tool out of wood rather quickly, but 3D printing is good way to go if you want to experiment with more exotic shapes. I am thinking of printing one with more of an airfoil shape, and maybe some to sand 45 and 90 degree bevels.
Very cool. It seems to be electric, as well.
I'm trying to hold off on getting a 3D Printer, but I'm losing the battle with me. Prusa is my choice, but maybe try to hold off for the Mk4.
Quote from: davidk on October 08, 2020, 10:55:57 PM
Quote from: Mike_Kilo on October 03, 2020, 02:22:54 PM
I designed and 3D printed a simple sanding block for shaping a nice radius on the leading edges of my Warwing (or any other 1/2in. material). Sandpaper is held on with 3M Super77 spray glue.
It works well, but it helps to do a bit of rough shaping first, otherwise it takes a while to remove all the material (using 220 grit for a nice finish, and to reduce tearout).
I could have made similar tool out of wood rather quickly, but 3D printing is good way to go if you want to experiment with more exotic shapes. I am thinking of printing one with more of an airfoil shape, and maybe some to sand 45 and 90 degree bevels.
Very cool. It seems to be electric, as well.
I'm trying to hold off on getting a 3D Printer, but I'm losing the battle with me. Prusa is my choice, but maybe try to hold off for the Mk4.
@davidk you don't need to get your own 3D printer. @Mike_Kilo is clearly in search of justification/rationalization for
his 3D printer. I am certain he would accept small contracts for 3D print jobs at attractive wholesale rates, just to keep the plastic flowing, All you have to do is provide the requisite design files to satiate the printer's appetite. And maybe a spool of weed whacker plastic filament! :D
Andy
Quote from: davidk on October 08, 2020, 10:55:57 PM
I'm trying to hold off on getting a 3D Printer, but I'm losing the battle with me. Prusa is my choice, but maybe try to hold off for the Mk4.
I have the Prusa Mini. It's excellent. Happy to give you details.
Quote from: bfeist on October 09, 2020, 12:58:18 PM
Quote from: davidk on October 08, 2020, 10:55:57 PM
I'm trying to hold off on getting a 3D Printer, but I'm losing the battle with me. Prusa is my choice, but maybe try to hold off for the Mk4.
I have the Prusa Mini. It's excellent. Happy to give you details.
Thanks
@bfeist , I'm going to try and hold off for a Prusa i4 MK4 model. It seems to me that it might be out within the year because it's been a while since the i3 MK3 came out... just wishful thinking probably. I also want a bit bigger printing area.
I'm surrounded by junkies!! ;D
Andy
Andy is right, if anyone needs something printed just ask. My printer needs some maintenance before I do any large or long duration prints again, but I can do smaller stuff no problem. All I ask is you pay for the material cost (pennies to loonies depending on the print). I can also apply my limited CAD skills to make original parts.