Advice on covering

[tiloldar]

I was having a very difficult time cutting a straight line along leading a trailing edges. Any more experienced modelers have advice on keeping it straight? I appreciate the help.
Tilo

[Glacier Girl]

Not to sound smart, but why not just use a straight edge?

I use a metal ruler, or if it's larger, a long piece of aluminum stock.
Keeps the covering pinned down and one swipe with a razor blade and its done.

[rcers]

I use quilting stuff to keep really straight lines.

Olfa cutters and Omnigrad pads and rulers.

http://www.amazon.com/9654-RTY-2-Erg...4573983&sr=8-1

Mike

[tiloldar]

Please don't worry about sounding smart. I meant it when I asked for advice -) I never thought of the straight
edge because of the shapes involved, mainly the "v" shape of the trailing edge. I don't see why it wouldn't work though. Tyvm.
As far as the rotary cutter, I have been looking at them for awhile now. I prolly should get one. Thanks for the advice.
Tilo

[solentlife]

An old trick for iron on coverings and dope types before doping :

Get a scalpel or model knife ... small piece of balsa or wood to contact glue to blade leaving a small amount of blade tip proud.

Now lay covering on wing or item ... if its iron on - then tack it around the edge leaving the extra free. Turn item over and have covering UNDER ... tilt item so covering is trapped against hard surface. Now with your modified knife keeping the wood against the item edge - you run the blade round trimming to an even overlap ....

With dope coverings ... you have to make sure that the covering is well trapped under when cutting as it's not tacked to the item.

Years ago in UK ... a model accessories co. produced a film trimmer to do above job ...

Old tricks !!

[kyleservicetech]

Originally Posted by tiloldar

I was having a very difficult time cutting a straight line along leading a trailing edges. Any more experienced modelers have advice on keeping it straight? I appreciate the help.
Tilo

If you're trimming balsa wood, another route is a LONG straight aluminum sanding block. That sanding block should be longer than your trailing edge.

All it takes is a few swipes with that block and your TE is perfect.

I made my block sander from a piece of lumber yard oak trim material, 3/4 by 3 by 20 inches long. (Make certain that block is FLAT) Picked up a sanding belt for a power belt sander, cut it in half and glued it to the oak block. Lasts for years.

[road king 97]

To get a clean cut on the leading or trailing edge i iron the covering a little further than where i want to cut it ,then gently pull it back loose alittle to where i want it this most times leaves me a nice straight edge to cut .I then take a brand new single edge razor blade and hold it flat while i hold the covering straight up .The razor will glide across the wing leaving a nice straight edge . If you get alittle off just take some alcohol and clean the covering seam and it will take off the glue that was squeezed out and you wont even see the seam. Another trick is to glue 1/8 inch balsa to the razor and slide it across , it will then leave a 1/8 of covering to iron down. I hope this helps . joe

[tiloldar]

Great advice everyone, Tyvm. All of the ideas sure seem easier than the free hand I tried on the tail feathers. I should have better luck on the wings. I knew I could count on everyone here for quick advice.
Thanks again,
Tilo