Foamy Season is here - Milling Depron Foam -> A How To

[Huckeneer]

I dont really see the point of milling unless you take alot of the weight out. What do you guys think?

[gareth.ky]

4.7g = 1 servo
3g = Rx
1g = wheels

You can pay for entire components with the weight savings. I'm planning on running dual aileron servos so I have to pay for that servo some how. I don't think it has to be drastic but 5g would be nice.

[Matchless]

	Quote:
	I dont really see the point of milling unless you take alot of the weight out. What do you guys think?

You got it. If it is done right, you can take out 'a lot' of weight. When you think of or measure how much weight you removed, don't think of it in terms of units of weight, think of it as a percentage of weight. A 5% weight increase or decrease makes a huge difference......

[Huckeneer]

I know but to mill out one little spot doesnt seem worth the hassle. I milled mine out a bunch on mine!

jamie

[Donatas]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Huckeneer
	I know but to mill out one little spot doesnt seem worth the hassle. I milled mine out a bunch on mine! jamie

If you have in mind my plane, then as i told it was just first attempt, next plane will have much more material removed. And Jeremy i totaly agree about 5%, thats why i start doing this.

[Matchless]

Donatas, you did an extremely clean job on your milling! Very nice work!

Huckeneer, I tend to do much what Donatas did with his. I start without milling so much and then 'open up' the template to take more material. Doing so allows me to evaluate how much has been removed and its effect structurally.

[Wojcigitty]

It all adds up. Take a moderate amount of weight out wherever you can (for example, stickers, servo plugs, wheels, etc.) and although each little bit is practically nothing, it will add up. Get rid of the grams, and the ounces will take care of themselves.

My dad used to race motorcycles, and he told me that they would strip the bike down to the frame, and go nuts with the lightening. Every hangar, cable guide, or bracket that was not used was taken off. Each individual component is tiny, but they would add up considerably.

[Comp Arf Kid]

Thanks for the help on this thread! I love the way the end result looks!!!

[Matchless]

	Quote:
	Thanks for the help on this thread! I love the way the end result looks!!!

Todd, I'm glad you liked it. If you like the way it looks, you'll really like the way it flys.

[0llie]

Been busy over xmas messing with my mini drill

Early days yet but its amazing how easy it is, even without a template you can get good results

I've used an old broken drill bit and ground it flat bottom




Cheers Shaun

[FENWAYFLYER]

Nice looking tool.

[ChrisBowker]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Huckeneer
	I dont really see the point of milling unless you take alot of the weight out. What do you guys think?

on the last foamy I milled i saved 30% of the raw airframe weight, to me thats MORE than worth it. plus I cheat a little when it comes to milling.

Chris