As reported in my post on the
Half Tone (
viewtopic.php?f=30&t=1276&p=10831#p10831), I'd come across some cheap foam board sheets at a local arts & craft shop here in NZ.
![coloured foam sheets.jpg (263.3 KiB) Viewed 6301 times choice of colours](./download/file.php?id=9525&t=1&sid=f180039d4e669358841d1008bf71a82e)
- choice of colours
![cost.jpg (132.41 KiB) Viewed 6301 times NZ$2 per sheet - cheap as bro!!](./download/file.php?id=9526&t=1&sid=f180039d4e669358841d1008bf71a82e)
- NZ$2 per sheet - cheap as bro!!
![structural materials.jpg (184.57 KiB) Viewed 6301 times not your average "structural" building materials!](./download/file.php?id=9527&t=1&sid=f180039d4e669358841d1008bf71a82e)
- not your average "structural" building materials!
Before progressing too far with the
Half Tone build, I thought it prudent to knock up something cheap 'n cheerful to test out the materials and hot glue I was intending to use on the
Half Tone
To keep it
As
Simple
As possible and to a maximum of 2 sheets of foam, a "flat plate" - i.e. no aerofoil - flying wing was the identified quick solution. It was drawn directly onto the foam board, cut up & is currently being stuck together. Localised reinforcement was added using bamboo marshmallow skewers for the mainspar and for leading edge protection.
First "challenge" identified - the LE was too greater length to enable the hot glue to be added then the bamboo LE fitted and then the whole lot held down while the glue cooled. To salvage the first attempt, I placed the wing half onto a piece of grease-proof baking paper, all held down onto a steel shelf with strong magnets.
![Bamboo LE added.jpg (100.76 KiB) Viewed 6301 times first attempt using hot-melt glue](./download/file.php?id=9528&t=1&sid=f180039d4e669358841d1008bf71a82e)
- first attempt using hot-melt glue
I then used a hair dryer to re-soften the hot glue in roughly 200-250mm sections, then folded the baking paper back over the bamboo and pulled it all as tight as I could - it all actually worked better than I expected
![Shocked :shock:](./images/smilies/icon_eek.gif)
. On the other wing half, I used PVA wood glue (also from the same craft shop) to attach the LE - again, I wrapped the baking paper around the LE, pulled the baking paper tight and held it together with the magnets while the PVA dried. Slower, but a better structural and aesthetic outcome.
![LE glued with PVA drying.jpg (129.24 KiB) Viewed 6301 times magnets holding the assembly to the steel "building board"](./download/file.php?id=9530&t=1&sid=f180039d4e669358841d1008bf71a82e)
- magnets holding the assembly to the steel "building board"
Thinner bamboo skewers were for the tip fin LE's.
![Fin LE.jpg (78.99 KiB) Viewed 6301 times 3mm bamboo skewers attached to the Fin leading edge with hot glue. Red line is where the coloured tape will stop (board thickness + a 5mm fillet)](./download/file.php?id=9529&t=1&sid=f180039d4e669358841d1008bf71a82e)
- 3mm bamboo skewers attached to the Fin leading edge with hot glue. Red line is where the coloured tape will stop (board thickness + a 5mm fillet)
More as construction progresses.............