Sealing Iron

[tkrahlin]

This is probably old news to most modelers here, but if you have wooden planes with coverings and don’t own a sealing iron, you don’t know what you’re missing.

I just picked one up and I’m amazed at how much better it makes the models look… and probably fly better.

Top Flite Sealing Iron
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXHZ17&P=FR

[rcdude07]

Be sure to use the sock with it. It'll glide smoother and won't run as big of a risk hanging due to something sharp sticking off the iron.

Another tip when using these:
If you want to get a flatter, smoothing seal, keep a damp cloth on hand. As you iron on, follow behind with the damp cloth to seal.

The irons work great to help stretch loose covering over the gaps between the ribs in the wings before using a hair dryer or something similar.

[brianfp_400]

I agree. An iron and a heat gun really tune up the covering and make it look great. Surgery on a covered plane is not so scary when you have these tools to work with. For a long time i was hesitant to move out of foamies due to their ease of repair, but glad I eventually took the leap.

[tkrahlin]

I agree. An iron and a heat gun really tune up the covering and make it look great. Surgery on a covered plane is not so scary when you have these tools to work with. For a long time i was hesitant to move out of foamies due to their ease of repair, but glad I eventually took the leap.

I haven’t had a chance to fly the models that I tightened up. But, when you think about it, the skin ties the entire frame together. It only stands to reason that the nice flat surfaces, symmetry of angles, and added strength will make them fly better and make them more durable.

I have some busted up Apprentice pieces laying around (imagine that!?)... I'm going to practice applying some skin to them then eventually add some skin to the leading edge and bottom of my Apprentice wings.

[rcdude07]

I have some busted up Apprentice pieces laying around (imagine that!?)... I'm going to practice applying some skin to them then eventually add some skin to the leading edge and bottom of my Apprentice wings.

I remember when I was building my GP Extra 300S and my dad was teaching me how to use the iron and gun. Below are the steps/tips I received.


Practice on a solid peice of balsa with small strips.
Cover the large flat surface first.
Learn how slow to go on this flat surface.
Now learn how to wrap the covering around a 90* angle on the same piece of wood and practive covering.
Cover all 6 sides of the piece of wood.
Practice covering across wing spars or lighting holes by covering a peice of wood with holes.
Cover like normal, once completely cover, come back to the holes. Hold the iron over the hole to stretch the cover tight.
If cover still not tight, take heat gun and chase the wrinkles out by blowing the direction of the wrinkle.
Practice on a curved surface. Same thing as the flat peice but make sure it's a circular or rounded peice. Folding the covering over on a round piece is tricky. Must go a little along to make it smooth.