Tips on Building a Fuselage / Trimming Propeller (not wing)

[bobthebuilderman]

Hi, Bob here,

I was building the fuselage for my plane, and I read up on some articles on how to make them. I was a little confused on what length to use.
If anyone has any tips, or knowledge on building fuselages.

Also, are there any tip on trimming the wing, I bought one a little too big.
Thanks,
Bob

[bjt4888]

Builderman,

15” or 16” of 3/16” x 3/8” 5.5 or 6.0 lb cu ft wood for fuselage. Total fuselage weight between 1.6 and 1.8 grams finished with wing tubes, rear hook and front bearing.

Brian T.

[bjt4888]

Builderman,

If by "trimming the wing" you are referring to a completely constructed wing that is longer in span that the rules allow, you can install a new tip rib on each wing tip such that the span to these new tip ribs meets the required span rule. Once this new tip rib is installed (from below, of course), covering can be attached to the rib by diluting a small spray of 3M77 with acetone in a small plastic cup and applying this dilute glue (from below, again, of course) with a fine paint brush, wicking the glue to the top surface of the new rib between the rib top surface and the covering.

Once this thin glue is thoroughly dry (maybe 30 min), you can cut the LE and TE at the newly installed rib and trim covering and you now have a reduced wing span.

Brian T.

[bobthebuilderman]

Hey, Bob here,

Thanks Brian for the tips, but when I said I bought a wing too big, I meant to say my propeller. (Oops).

A reply would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks,
Bob

[Ethancheese123]

I think you can easily trim it with scissors

[Froggie]

I think you can easily trim it with scissors

That's what I do, but you have to make sure that the propeller is balanced.

[bobthebuilderman]

I think you can easily trim it with scissors

That's what I do, but you have to make sure that the propeller is balanced.

What do you mean by balance? As in same weight per wing, and if so, how can I weigh each wing?

Thanks,
Bob

[Froggie]

I think you can easily trim it with scissors

That's what I do, but you have to make sure that the propeller is balanced.

What do you mean by balance? As in same weight per wing, and if so, how can I weigh each wing?

Thanks,
Bob

If you cut it, there's a good chance the sides are uneven. If one side is significantly heavier than the other, it takes more power to spin the propeller. I spin it with my hand and shave down the heavier side with sandpaper.