When I built my minimax, basically same wing as the air bike, I used a different method to prebend. Maybe someone will find this useful. For the aileron ply I got a PVC pipe with about the right size OD to match the nose ribs. From that pipe I cut quite a few pieces 1" long. Each of the 1" pieces had a single slit cut into them so you could open them up to slide over the OD of the pipe. Soaked wood, wrapped around pipe, slid the split rings over the ply, let dry. Used the writing on the pipe as a straight edge to ensure the ply was not twisted. For the wing I made a jig for the leading edge ply. I cut out some squares of construction plywood, cut out the outer shape of the nose ribs so the squares now look kinda like a U. At the opening I left little tabs pointing inward. Using a router with pattern bit I duplicated the master making a few of these. Lined up a stack of them, drilled holes at the corners. Spaced them evenly across dowels in those holes. Soak ply in water, push down into jig. The tabs at the opening keep the ply from popping back out. Let dry then installed on the wings. I used the same technique of sticks and rubber bands to hold the ply while glue dries.
@@dagtheaviator I forgot to mention that those split ring PVC pipe pieces also make great clamps too! I have a few dozen made from various sizes of pipe that I use regularly. Smaller diameter like 1.5 or 2 inch have a strong clamping force. The wider they are, the stronger the clamping force, 1/2" wide can work great on smaller diameter pipes. Larger diameters have great reach but less clamping force unless you clamp something thick. I have about 20 on a curved lamination of three 1/8" x 1/2" pine strips right now. Only clamps I have in that quantity with enough force to hold the laminations to the correct shape. Great use of left over pipe from plumbing projects. No shop can ever have too many clamps!
Dag,,,,if you want to make a big improvement to the performance of the AirBike, switch to the Eippler 591 airfoil. I have used it two times on my aircraft that I have flown. It works very well with these type airplanes. I am 74 and still build, and fly.
You are a master craftsmen, I would fly this plane without reservation and a good preflight.
When I built my minimax, basically same wing as the air bike, I used a different method to prebend. Maybe someone will find this useful.
For the aileron ply I got a PVC pipe with about the right size OD to match the nose ribs. From that pipe I cut quite a few pieces 1" long. Each of the 1" pieces had a single slit cut into them so you could open them up to slide over the OD of the pipe. Soaked wood, wrapped around pipe, slid the split rings over the ply, let dry. Used the writing on the pipe as a straight edge to ensure the ply was not twisted.
For the wing I made a jig for the leading edge ply. I cut out some squares of construction plywood, cut out the outer shape of the nose ribs so the squares now look kinda like a U. At the opening I left little tabs pointing inward. Using a router with pattern bit I duplicated the master making a few of these. Lined up a stack of them, drilled holes at the corners. Spaced them evenly across dowels in those holes. Soak ply in water, push down into jig. The tabs at the opening keep the ply from popping back out. Let dry then installed on the wings. I used the same technique of sticks and rubber bands to hold the ply while glue dries.
Great info, thanks!
@@dagtheaviator I forgot to mention that those split ring PVC pipe pieces also make great clamps too! I have a few dozen made from various sizes of pipe that I use regularly. Smaller diameter like 1.5 or 2 inch have a strong clamping force. The wider they are, the stronger the clamping force, 1/2" wide can work great on smaller diameter pipes. Larger diameters have great reach but less clamping force unless you clamp something thick.
I have about 20 on a curved lamination of three 1/8" x 1/2" pine strips right now. Only clamps I have in that quantity with enough force to hold the laminations to the correct shape.
Great use of left over pipe from plumbing projects.
No shop can ever have too many clamps!
You always have so much great information
Rock ON!
Thanks for the video
No problem!
Holy bible for the next airbike builders. Thanks DAG.
Any time! Rock ON!
Put servos in it call it a giant scale make your RC folks happy😂
Thank You
You're welcome. Rock ON!
Dag,,,,if you want to make a big improvement to the performance of the AirBike, switch to the Eippler 591 airfoil. I have used it two times on my aircraft that I have flown. It works very well with these type airplanes. I am 74 and still build, and fly.
Thanks. My wing is 90% done. Maybe in the future.
Is there any risk of the plywood delaminating with the water and chemicals? Awesome video, thanks!
I have always worried about that. But have never seen it. I would guess the laminating glue is a epoxy type, not a water based type. Rock ON!
English Longbow training!
The hatters need to get off their butts and do something productive. Thanks for sharing your skills and time
Rock ON!