Originally Posted by Craven

Sanding is for homos..............

This also coming from a guy that has 80 grit permanantly imbedded in his hands!! Shaking his hand is like holding your hand on a belt sander!

Originally Posted by classclown

Damn Vic, thought you were serious about the wet sanding!

I only wet-sand the boost tabs.

Originally Posted by gmorales83

Since reading this thread i've started sanding to 2,000 also...by the time I get to 600 grit it feels like you're just rubbing the wood (like back in highschool) so it does not load up the sandpaper, thus no water needed. It does make a difference, though, you can see the balsa take on a sheen for sure when you're up in the 1,500 range. I found 3M 2,000 grit in the paint touch-up aisle at Walmart and 2,400 grit from Rockler Woodworking.

Bob, could you explain the hand burnishing part ? thanks !

GM

Sanding with 2000 grit IS burnishing ! I don't know what most of you do with your hands on a regular basis but I'd guess my hands to be about 600 grit ! With a few 80 grit patches.

The only difference between the two sand papers is one will not fall apart when wet.

I have however wet wood to sand it. Not on balsa but I was taught in wood shop to lightly dampen the wood on a project to "raise the grain" for the final sanding. But the wood is allowed to dry first and since it was just passed over with a slightly damp rag to do this it doesn't take long.

But I believe Bob just likes to fondle the fnal product of his labor !

You can use hair spray also, it will "raise" the fibers and harden them so you can sand, leaves a nice finnish.

Here is the finished airframe minus the engine cowling, canopy and landing gear. The all up weight at this stage is 23 lbs 8 ozs.. I think the kit version will be around 1 lb. lighter because it will have .75 density core, and I used 1 lb.

Bob

that looks a lot bigger than 55% - WOW. That will really make a big statement at the field.

Finish her and send it my way.

Originally Posted by ddlstang

that looks a lot bigger than 55% - WOW. That will really make a big statement at the field.

Because of the stretch on the fuse, it is as long as a 60%er.

Bob

It's actually shocking how light that is vs. how big it is! the mind has trouble comprehending! like when you go to pick up a jug of juice and ya yank it cos there's nothing in there, and it's WTF???

It's even harder to comprehend that this is to be powered by a 170!!!!

Man its going fast.......looks real good Bob.......So..are you going to have it covered tomorrow ?.........

Dang, that thing is gorgeous...

Several years ago i flew CA 3.3 yaks and they were outfitted with DA 150s on tuned pipes, at 44 to 46 lbs. those 150s yanked them around fairly strong, plenty of vertical, thats for sure.

Bob

Tomorrow is the maiden!!!

What was the all up weight you are shooting for again Bob?

Originally Posted by Tex

Man its going fast.......looks real good Bob.......So..are you going to have it covered tomorrow ?.........

The truth is, with work and Christmas around the corner, I think it will be January before I finish this, I still have a long way to go.

Bob

Originally Posted by Bam Bam

Tomorrow is the maiden!!!

What was the all up weight you are shooting for again Bob?

The target goal is 43 lbs. I think it will come in just a little over that, but this airplane will never know it's there.

Bob