av8tor
Flight lieutenant
The one with the most toys at the end wins!
Posts: 60
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Post by av8tor on Feb 25, 2008 19:54:44 GMT 1
Hello guys, couple of questions. I just bought a pair GWS floats for my cub:
1. is epoxy the best glue to use to put the floats togther?
2. has anyone filled the floats with foam to keep the water out?
Thanks
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sayers
Flight lieutenant
Posts: 81
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Post by sayers on Feb 27, 2008 3:31:29 GMT 1
I used Hot Glue
Sayers
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akdude
Flying officer
Posts: 21
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Post by akdude on Apr 12, 2008 4:56:59 GMT 1
What glue did you decide to use. I have the floats in the box just waiting for me.
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mikejbb
Flight lieutenant
flying should be in winds greater than 10mph
Posts: 99
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Post by mikejbb on Apr 29, 2008 5:44:34 GMT 1
Speaking of water in the floats, I was wondering if any of you waterproof's any part of their sc? Just in case it flips over in the water or worse crashes into pieces in the water. I've crashed into pieces over land a few times.
Mike
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av8tor
Flight lieutenant
The one with the most toys at the end wins!
Posts: 60
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Post by av8tor on May 6, 2008 21:00:13 GMT 1
I haven't put my floats together yet - still undecided as to what glue to use. Anyone else have any input?
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sleddog
Flight lieutenant
Posts: 39
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Post by sleddog on May 7, 2008 23:24:45 GMT 1
My floats are on the way (GWS)..should be here Thursday. It kinda looks like they should be assembled with hot glue...Looks like leaking is an issue..also lettting water back out?! maybe a drill hole, plug and a vent to let the water out of the float. Electronic and water protection is kind of a question. I am afraid of using a tight plastic seal on the controller as everything will be too tight and could over heat...?
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sleddog
Flight lieutenant
Posts: 39
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Post by sleddog on May 9, 2008 0:33:46 GMT 1
Assembled floats with Hot Glue today. They seem like they should work OK. My glueing and cutting are a little sloppy, but I think with a little more fine work they will look alright. While the directions are kind of funky, the cutting and glueing is not too difficult. Just a matter of filling voids with the Hot Glue. Looking all over different sites to find CG, gear set-up and mounting angle for SC to floats. Plenty of things to keep track of!
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graves
Flight lieutenant
Posts: 55
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Post by graves on May 9, 2008 8:38:50 GMT 1
A simple test I do to check for holes is to squeeze just slightly at the bottom of the floats, in front of the step. If you hear a whistle/wheeze, you have a hole somewhere. If the float is firm, it's completely sealed. Don't push too hard or you'll cave in and crease the plastic like I did. If you need any visual references, my photobucket has plenty of pics to examine. s110.photobucket.com/albums/n103/graves0922/Btw, I noticed your location is Wilmington. I'm in the New Bern/Greenville area depending on the year. Good luck with the floats and take some pics! |
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sleddog
Flight lieutenant
Posts: 39
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Post by sleddog on May 9, 2008 13:13:44 GMT 1
Graves;
Wow, Thanks. Those pictures are great. Aileron mod is in the future too. Your pictures and post will help on all. I probably should take some pics, I get a little intimidated when I see the quality of others peoples work, but if it helps some one else I should do it.
Looks like you have the step of the float about an inch behind the CG. Does that handle OK?
I'm just across the river in Leland. I've found open flying places in spots the builders haven't started yet. Plenty of water around here so the floats will get use. I deliver Toyotas to New Bern and Greenville for the dealer here about once a month.
Again thanks. I've bookmarked your pics for easy reference.
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graves
Flight lieutenant
Posts: 55
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Post by graves on May 9, 2008 19:55:56 GMT 1
I dont remember if I put them in front or behind the CG...whichever is the proper place, but yes, It is 1 inch from the CG. My first pair were 2 inches, but I think anywhere in between will work fine. Both set-ups handled fine, both got on step and took off with no problem.
Don't worry about the quality compared to others. It always takes me multiple tries to make anything look good. I'm on my second ailerons, flaps, floats, etc and I think they still look iffy. What's that saying? - "the harshest critic is yourself".
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av8tor
Flight lieutenant
The one with the most toys at the end wins!
Posts: 60
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Post by av8tor on Jun 18, 2008 18:45:43 GMT 1
Well I finally assembled the floats. I decided on epoxy and used a string wrapped around the float to hold everything together until it cured. Came together very nice and neat. I tried hot glut at first, but the glue was distorting the thin plastic float bottom. Now - do people use the SC landing gear wire for the front float attachment, or the supplied wire? If the supplied wire is used, how do you attach it to the Cub? I will use the supplied wire for the rear with a thin plywood "plate" glued to the underside of the Cub.
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Post by proxywrx on Jun 18, 2008 21:44:46 GMT 1
I did my first flight this past weekend with the floats. It took off very nicely when there was a little breeze, but when it was flat calm it wouldn't break loose. It flew perfect once in the air. I might try to move the floats forward a little and see if that helps.
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av8tor
Flight lieutenant
The one with the most toys at the end wins!
Posts: 60
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Post by av8tor on Jun 19, 2008 17:06:49 GMT 1
Proxy,
Did you use full up elevator? Try rocking it back and forth? Also might want to check the angle of attack of the wings relative to the floats.
Did you have any suggestions for me as to how to mount the floats to the Cub?
Thanks,
T.
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sleddog
Flight lieutenant
Posts: 39
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Post by sleddog on Jun 20, 2008 19:07:58 GMT 1
Well I finally assembled the floats. I decided on epoxy and used a string wrapped around the float to hold everything together until it cured. Came together very nice and neat. I tried hot glut at first, but the glue was distorting the thin plastic float bottom. Now - do people use the SC landing gear wire for the front float attachment, or the supplied wire? If the supplied wire is used, how do you attach it to the Cub? I will use the supplied wire for the rear with a thin plywood "plate" glued to the underside of the Cub. I used the stock landing gear up front and those supplied with the floats in the rear. I fastened about the same way you are talking. It will work...But I need to make mine stronger. I have wired the landing gear to the steel spacers that were supplied with the floats with 24 ga. wire. I have the floats space 10 1/2" OC. It seems very stable. I am not happy with the steel rods from float to float and plan on changing to some aluminum strut material I got at the LHS. The steel rods are just too flimsy and I need to adjust them almost every flight. I am afraid to go with much stiffer attachment to the SC itself as it is easy to have a hard landing on water. Easier to readjust the wire gear than to have to repair a break. Good luck...flying off water is a whole new experience! |
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Post by proxywrx on Jun 22, 2008 22:44:58 GMT 1
Here is a picture of how i mounted the rear of the floats to cub.  I used a piece of 1/8 inch hobby plywood to make it. I cut out a small piece of foam and traced that onto the plywood. Once i had that piece fitting nicely I made another and glued them together to give it some thickness. Then took a dremel and and small bit the size of the landing gear wire and drilled a slot into the plywood for the wire to fit into. Then i just took some scrap wood and put it over teh wire to keep it from falling out when flying. I'll get some better pictures in a bit to sorta show how i made it. |
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