John Taylor
Well-Known Member
I just completed a HP build of a 4" Phoenix Missle. It is paper and plywood construction.
The forward fins are 1/8" thick plywood are kinda long and short.
They were slightly warped which is not unusual to expect.
I've heard of methods such as wetting and stacking between heavy flat objects like books and leave it until dry.
Messing around I sprayed 99% iso alchohol on both sides of the part and then using both hands flexed the part the opposite way from the warp. I held it for one or two minutes or until all the alchohol evaporates.
After working with the warped fins for about two minutes they were straight. They actually stayed that way permanently straightening the wood.
I imagine the alchohol wicks into the wood quickly loosening the fibers and the quickly wicks out and evaporating out of the wood setting it. By flexing it while it is wet and holding it until dry it will permanently correct the warpage. It works perfectly.
The forward fins are 1/8" thick plywood are kinda long and short.
They were slightly warped which is not unusual to expect.
I've heard of methods such as wetting and stacking between heavy flat objects like books and leave it until dry.
Messing around I sprayed 99% iso alchohol on both sides of the part and then using both hands flexed the part the opposite way from the warp. I held it for one or two minutes or until all the alchohol evaporates.
After working with the warped fins for about two minutes they were straight. They actually stayed that way permanently straightening the wood.
I imagine the alchohol wicks into the wood quickly loosening the fibers and the quickly wicks out and evaporating out of the wood setting it. By flexing it while it is wet and holding it until dry it will permanently correct the warpage. It works perfectly.