Senior Space Cadet
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I'm wondering if this is a lost skill. Maybe everyone knows about it, but in case you don't, here it is.
When I was young, I was obsessed with anything that flew, especially anything that soared.
I was always making gliders out of balsa.
Back then, there were books on balsa construction.
One of the tricks was bending sheet balsa. The thinner, the easier.
You'd draw straight line where you wanted to bend the balsa.
You'd run hot water, from the faucet, along that line. Probably both sides.
Then using a hot clothing iron, you'd press the edge of the iron along that line (moving the iron forward and back) while applying an upward bending force to the other side. Doing a little on each side of the line.
The balsa will take a permanent bend.
Probably not as useful in Rocket building, but if you want to make flaps for your fins or something, this is much stronger than trying to glue two edges together. Probably more aerodynamic too.
Hope this helps someone.
When I was young, I was obsessed with anything that flew, especially anything that soared.
I was always making gliders out of balsa.
Back then, there were books on balsa construction.
One of the tricks was bending sheet balsa. The thinner, the easier.
You'd draw straight line where you wanted to bend the balsa.
You'd run hot water, from the faucet, along that line. Probably both sides.
Then using a hot clothing iron, you'd press the edge of the iron along that line (moving the iron forward and back) while applying an upward bending force to the other side. Doing a little on each side of the line.
The balsa will take a permanent bend.
Probably not as useful in Rocket building, but if you want to make flaps for your fins or something, this is much stronger than trying to glue two edges together. Probably more aerodynamic too.
Hope this helps someone.