Hi folks,
Some of the recent discussions here have covered concepts for fin beveling techniques & jigs. These are of great interest to me because good beveling is something I'm not particularly adept at.
My default, go-to method has been using tape to mark the stop point for beveling, then go at the wood with a sanding block, or rub the fin against a sheet of sandpaper affixed to cardboard or foamboard to keep it flat.
This works OK, but can be challenging (for me) to do repeatedly and get the same results on all the fins. I'm just not good with precision performance of repetitive motion.
I've seen fin beveling concepts by several others over the years, and from my perspective they break down into two groups:
-Jigs that allow for positioning the fin so that a sanding surface can be guided over it with some precision
-Jigs that allow travel of the wood past a cutting/sanding surface in a repeatable manner
I have tried and failed in years past to reproduce the first style. The problem was not in the design, but in my poor ability to perform the repeated motions accurately... it's just not a strength of mine.
So this time I decided to try the second style. But keep in mind, I'm talking small rockets here... I've never flown anything more than an E engine. So I need a beveler that can put bevels on fins just an inch or two across made out of say 3/32" balsa. And of course a bit bigger... This lets out anything based on a table saw or bench sander.
I've come up with a prototype based on a Dremel tool with the flexible extension, and a movable sled on which the fin rests. The sled rests on some European glide drawer glides for smooth motion. Over the next weeks I'll describe it's construction and the fine tuning yet to happen. It's not finished yet, but I have been able to test the concept with some success.
Here are some pics based on the evolution of the design. I'll try to update this thread every few days as I make progress, and I invite discussion and other ideas...
Some of the recent discussions here have covered concepts for fin beveling techniques & jigs. These are of great interest to me because good beveling is something I'm not particularly adept at.
My default, go-to method has been using tape to mark the stop point for beveling, then go at the wood with a sanding block, or rub the fin against a sheet of sandpaper affixed to cardboard or foamboard to keep it flat.
This works OK, but can be challenging (for me) to do repeatedly and get the same results on all the fins. I'm just not good with precision performance of repetitive motion.
I've seen fin beveling concepts by several others over the years, and from my perspective they break down into two groups:
-Jigs that allow for positioning the fin so that a sanding surface can be guided over it with some precision
-Jigs that allow travel of the wood past a cutting/sanding surface in a repeatable manner
I have tried and failed in years past to reproduce the first style. The problem was not in the design, but in my poor ability to perform the repeated motions accurately... it's just not a strength of mine.
So this time I decided to try the second style. But keep in mind, I'm talking small rockets here... I've never flown anything more than an E engine. So I need a beveler that can put bevels on fins just an inch or two across made out of say 3/32" balsa. And of course a bit bigger... This lets out anything based on a table saw or bench sander.
I've come up with a prototype based on a Dremel tool with the flexible extension, and a movable sled on which the fin rests. The sled rests on some European glide drawer glides for smooth motion. Over the next weeks I'll describe it's construction and the fine tuning yet to happen. It's not finished yet, but I have been able to test the concept with some success.
Here are some pics based on the evolution of the design. I'll try to update this thread every few days as I make progress, and I invite discussion and other ideas...