Hey,

Anyone have any ideas of some powder or lube that would help the wing spar go in and out of the wing tube more freely?

Thx

2000 grit wet sand until fits. I have had to do this once took about an hour. Sand , rinse and dry then test fit .

Automotive silicon lube.

Just fixed a tight fitting spar, wouldn't even move , touch of silicon and it was perfect .

If you need to sand clean all the dust off as it makes it harder.

I found this at Home Depot. Works well and does not leave a mess. Just used it today on this…. I don’t like to sand anything because with time it will loosen up anyway.

clean everything very thoroughly with denatured alcohol first before trying any sanding or lubricants. Carbon dust is very fine and builds up easily which can cause a lot of resistance in the wing tube carry-through and is usually the issue. If that doesn't solve the issue very lightly sand only the wing tube carry-through holder in the fuselage. The tube itself is the strength of the wing and should not be sanded down so it stays as strong as intended. The easiest way to sand the tube in the fuselage is to get a dowel a bit smaller than the tube, and wrap some fine sandpaper around it and turn it inside the fiberglass tube, cleaning and checking it frequently. Treat it as if you're honing a brake cylinder or engine cylinder

A bit more info might help as to the structure.... If it's a tube into sleeve, or "spar" into something, Tubes and sleeves are generally round, and spars are generally square/rectangle..just sayin'... It sounds slightly like you're fitting a square peg into a round hole... haha...
....as well as the material each is made of... There's techniques that can ease assembly/disassembly of anything though.

If it's a carbon fiber assembly(tube/sleeve) that graphite spray in post #4 is the ticket.

If it's an old school aluminum tube/phenolic sleeve then silicone spray is optimal.

Just my take, I'm sure there's several ways to free things up some, and we may all learn something. Good luck with it.

Originally Posted by rcalbuquerque

2000 grit wet sand until fits. I have had to do this once took about an hour. Sand , rinse and dry then test fit .

Sanding the tube rather than the wing sockets for a fit is a HUGE no, no.

You have no way of knowing how much you have taken off the surface of the tube when hand sanding it. You have no idea of whether or not it's still round. You have no idea of sub-surface irregularities or faults you might expose.

Do the wing tube sockets, NOT the wing tube.

Originally Posted by Magenta

Hey,

Anyone have any ideas of some powder or lube that would help the wing spar go in and out of the wing tube more freely?

Thx

When it comes to easing the movement of a wing spar in and out of a wing tube, there are a few options you can consider.
Talcum powder: Talcum powder, also known as baby powder, is a common solution for reducing friction and improving the movement of components. Lightly dusting the wing spar with talcum powder before inserting it into the wing tube can help create a smoother glide.
Dry graphite lubricant: Dry graphite lubricant is a fine powder that provides excellent lubrication without attracting dirt or dust. Applying a small amount of dry graphite lubricant to the wing spar or inside the wing tube can reduce friction and facilitate easier movement.
Silicone spray: Silicone spray is another option that can be used to lubricate and reduce friction between the wing spar and wing tube. Spray a light coating of silicone spray on the wing spar or inside the wing tube, and then work the spar in and out to distribute the lubricant evenly.
Wax or candle wax: Rubbing a thin layer of wax or candle wax on the wing spar can act as a lubricant and make it easier to slide in and out of the wing tube. Ensure the wax is spread evenly and thinly to avoid excess buildup.
Before applying any lubricant or powder, it's important to ensure that it won't negatively affect the materials or components of your RC aircraft. Test the chosen solution on a small, inconspicuous area first to ensure compatibility and assess its effectiveness.

Remember to exercise caution and apply lubricants sparingly to avoid excessive buildup, which could attract dirt or affect the structural integrity of the wing spar and wing tube assembly.


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