Kirk G
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- Joined
- Jan 9, 2012
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So, if the industry standard now appears to be lazer cut balsa fins for low power rocket kits, why do we bother sanding them?
I don't mean the root edge or the leading edges, cause I understand the need to feather, and/or to remove any small connecting stubbs or bridges that hold them in place in the sheet.
What I don't understand is why we are told to black sand a perfectly good, smooth balsa wood sheet (just prior to punching it out and assembly?
Was this a hold over from earlier kits, where you had to cut it out yourself? Or were balsa wood sheets not always this smooth?
And as long as we're on the subject, how many of your continue to seal the balsa wood before installation with a slurry of wood glue or wood sealer or something similar, before sanding again and building up levels of the filler to smooth it all out?
I'm thinking this is for the perfectionists who need/want a perfect finish. How many just prime and then paint the rocket without filling or sealing first? Does it REALLY make a difference?
I don't mean the root edge or the leading edges, cause I understand the need to feather, and/or to remove any small connecting stubbs or bridges that hold them in place in the sheet.
What I don't understand is why we are told to black sand a perfectly good, smooth balsa wood sheet (just prior to punching it out and assembly?
Was this a hold over from earlier kits, where you had to cut it out yourself? Or were balsa wood sheets not always this smooth?
And as long as we're on the subject, how many of your continue to seal the balsa wood before installation with a slurry of wood glue or wood sealer or something similar, before sanding again and building up levels of the filler to smooth it all out?
I'm thinking this is for the perfectionists who need/want a perfect finish. How many just prime and then paint the rocket without filling or sealing first? Does it REALLY make a difference?