Balsa USA Stingray with DLE-20, RC Plane Build N0 26: Covering the Wing with Monokote

[@joepellissier2091]

Well done..I took a break from my balsa plane to work on a foam plane that I crashed and some other work. This gets the juices flowing to get back on a balsa plane.

[@JamesRCPlaneTech]

Awesome, thanks! I need to get this done so I can start flying more. Only so much time I can dedicate.

[@easystar123]

Brilliant video and very well explained and presented. Im getting ready to recover the damaged wings of a P51 Mustang. This video has been of great help. Many thanks.

[@JamesRCPlaneTech]

Awesome thanks! Good luck with your recover.

[@andystoybox1723]

Amazing ! Great work 👍🏻👍🏻

[@JamesRCPlaneTech]

Thanks!

[@duainrothman7930]

Hi James I must say man you are a fast at covering, wow and nice job. Also nice color segway to the 4th😍. One of the best investments I've made was an infrared thermometer, after my coverite thermometer was lent out & not returned. The 1 2 3 settings on the irons didn't mean much till you checked them and the tips was different than the heel of the shoe so now I've got a base line to work with on heat settings of those numbers. Also the trim irons are a must have, they can get into all the corners & tite spots. I run 2 at a time 1) on high & 1) on low. Using gloves while covering will help in keeping oils from your skin off the adhesive and a little bit from heat gun burns when pulling around curves. A maiden flight is coming up around the corner 😊

[@JamesRCPlaneTech]

Thanks! It took over a week, because of limited time. The time lapse is deceptive! Lol. I need to get another trim iron as well, mine is crappy. And I just got in a new heat gun from Hangar 9, I have been using a paint stripper heat gun but it gets too hot and have to be real careful. I like your point about the infrared thermometer, maybe Ill pick one up. Been thinking about one to measure engine heat also.

[@duainrothman7930]

@@JamesRCPlaneTech in the past as a quick solution to not having a proper sock is to use baby socks, I'd get them a thrift store

[@randynelson1769]

Thoroughly enjoying your videos in this build. You make covering with monokote look so easy, I just can't conquer it.

[@JamesRCPlaneTech]

Covering is probably the least favorite part of building for me. Its a pain. The more you do it the easier it will get. I can never get it perfect, the vids don’t show the mistakes! Thanks for the comment, I appreciate it.

[@stevebarr9604]

Nice work!

[@JamesRCPlaneTech]

@@stevebarr9604 thanks!

[@lleston8927]

Man your videos are so nice and relaxing😀

[@JamesRCPlaneTech]

Thanks!

[@alfredvink]

Great job, as always ;-) Nowadays most covering irons have a digital temperature indicator which takes away a lot of the guessing. During the introduction you explained about the irons, but didn’t mention why you put a piece of cloth around the iron during the covering of the wing. Although it makes sense to me it might not to first timers…

[@JamesRCPlaneTech]

Thanks ! Maybe I need to upgrade my iron. And about the cloth. You are right, Ill mention that in my next one when I due the fuselage. I have been a little hesitant because I don’t use a “sock” made for this, I just cut from an old cotton tee shirt, I think its safe to use. But have to make it clear that people need to be careful. Ill mention it in the next one with a disclaimer! I appreciate your input. Thanks

[@randynelson1769]

Maybe i should try monocote again. You make it look easy.

[@JamesRCPlaneTech]

Ya, practice on some spare wood or boxes. Like a small but sturdy box, make a drum!

[@deano572]

Thanks for the build series, very helpful

[@JamesRCPlaneTech]

Thanks!

[@revodrvr]

Great video. This helps me a ton. Wish me luck as I were cover my old hobbistar 60

[@JamesRCPlaneTech]

Good luck! Its a slow process, but rewarding

[@natal777]

Nice Job

[@JamesRCPlaneTech]

Thanks!

[@stevearmett1565]

Looks great 😁👌

[@JamesRCPlaneTech]

Thanks!

[@gingerhiggins7718]

Nice tutorial. Off the wall questions. Around the fall of the Roman Empire I was an RC hobbiest and used monokote. Loved it. I am a pair of large home speakers with a dated wood finish and am considering whether to try to paint, or do a vinyl wrap, then I remembered monokote. With some surface prep, would this work on large flat surfaces? Thoughts?

[@JamesRCPlaneTech]

Hmm, well Monokote would stick to fresh wood. If you sanded it. I'm not sure how it would stick. Also, for me, I' always have to touch up the covering, depending on the weather. Even flat on wood sticks great then can bubble up. I think I would paint!

[@johnnyb6564]

What are you using to get those nice trims on your covering edges?

[@JamesRCPlaneTech]

Its an old “Harry Higley Trim Tool”, not sure if they make them anymore, but may be able to find one online or on ebay.

[@justtinkering6713]

How do you do a swept wing with changing cord and profile?

[@JamesRCPlaneTech]

Pretty much the same way, just cut the film to cover and go for it. What gets tricky are compound curves such as wing tips that taper down into a teardrop shape, you have to cut extra and pull and stretch it over while applying heat. But overall the process is pretty forgiving. Sometimes its easier to cut and apply smaller sheets with overlapping to get around curves instead of trying a single large sheet.

[@NathanWaldock]

Hi James I just wanted to know how did you cut your leading edge so prisice,or tool ,or did you just use a blade thanks in section 15m or so

[@JamesRCPlaneTech]

Hi, well I just took my time with a razor plane and sanding blocks. Also for a wing like this since it doesn’t change shape over the entire length I cut a card stock template using the plans of the leading edge profile. So As I go I can check it with the template, I did a video on that. Ill check which one and let you know. Honestly, I just go slow, take a little at a time, and work the entire wing a little at a time. Its not perfect but its good. Do a lot of eyeballing down the length of it, check, sand, check again.

[@JamesRCPlaneTech]

Check out this vid, maybe it will help. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nJuzl4mLp65_d7csi=fATUru6CVAmcdtgk

[@lonestar5253]

IDN but I think I would have painted the cockpit. VS the covering. Guess I’m a little bit of a wuss. Hah.

[@JamesRCPlaneTech]

Haha! Ya, painting the inside would be easier and quicker! I agree, I took it on with the Monokote and it was a pain… you are not a wuss, you are rational, that makes more sense. Ill try to remember that and mention it in my next vid. Thanks!!