Tutorial 1: cutting foam wings for 3d and park flyers

This video shows how to cut a foam wing for a radio control aircraft. I use a cheap power supply from a computer and a nickel chromium wire mounted on a board. These wings are very light and strong.

[@65Wildkat]

Thank you for videos , I am a DIY person and I getting into RC planes. the thing I am learning is how much the wings take a beating so your videos are very helpful ! I a so glad that I found them! I hope that you will do more on making the fuselages for simple planes for the beginner? Thank you for passing on knowledge ! I find yours to be very easy to follow along...The "Teacher" in you is very evident, I wish I had you back when I was in school, Keep posting new videos! Thank you again.

[@johnhuge3239]

Hi Andpet55, your videos are brilliant, thank you so much. I have built a simple cutting bow, and made some airfoil templates (cardboard), cut some wings, sanded them as you suggested (I am still learning to make good cuts), then covered the foam cores with packaging ("brown") paper (I can get different colors), using diluted white glue as you suggested, and I finished the wings with clear (or colored) packing tape, and ther result is BRILLIANT. The wing is strong and light (same weight as a built up balsa wing of the same size), and flexible. I have flown my new model, and I am very grateful for all your videos. I am using NiChrome wire (26 ga = 0.4 mm from EBAY), cutting wing halves (white foam or the denser colored foam) of approx. 2 feet (about 60 cm), with a 3S 2200 MAh LiPo (and a low voltage beeper from EBAY) and a servo tester (EBAY), regulating a BRUSHED ESC (Banggood). To further strengthen the wings, I have cut some groves into the cores, with a knife, and glued in thin dowels, salvaged from a bamboo window blind; the dowels weigh about 2 grams each (60 cm length), and they add tremendous strength. Since there were some questions about the NiCrome wire, may I post some links: hotwirefoamcutterinfo . com jacobs-online . biz

[@bladnik]

Just pure genius and very, very practical. Thanks for posting.

[@eikkaheikkinen]

Huge thank you for sharing this vital information.. Can't wait to get cutting my own wings and making planes.. It's always more fun to create something that flys awesome than by something ready made.. Thanks again

[@kenmercermusic]

I found your videos about making the foam cutter and cutting the wings very useful, thank you! I'm going to have a go myself at some point. The PC power supply is a fantastic idea. :-)

[@siddywiddyb]

You genius sir!.I am now building a similar design wing maker thanks to your well explained video! Thank you SO much for that! I hope my wings turn out to be as good as your ones!

[@andpet55]

I hope they do well. Let us know, and include some photos.

[@andpet55]

Good Question. I came up with the same concern, but as I worked with them the wire will not cut through the foam at the same rate and produces pairs that are close, but still some variation. Since you still need to sand them, I usually make 5 or 6 wing cores, then pair them up with those that are closest in form. Works best for me.

[@VinnieVincent100]

Nice work!

[@burgosjoser]

Thanks to share the informatio. Very helpful

[@turtlemann14]

i know this video has some time on it now.... but i think i would make two guides (one for tip and the other for the large end) and ridged mount the wire so that you can lay the foam against it. i would think that that would produce nearly identical wings.

[@SnapPunchRobert]

That is what I wanted to know. If you have templates on both sides would that work to make both sides equal? What if some one wants to make a really long wing (need equal so can glue together) Have you done that by chance???

[@andpet55]

SnapPunch Robert Yes you could join them but you would need to put in a brace internally similar to the way that I joint the halves. The biggest problem with using templates on both sides is that you need to pull evenly on both, either by using a gravity feed cutter or by having someone help. They do, however, cut more cleanly if done on a gravity fed cutter. The problem that I have had in cutting longer wings is there is limit to the length that you can cut due to the amperage restrictions in the wire.

[@SnapPunchRobert]

Really liked your video. Have you cut a wing with both sides being symmetrical ? Do you use a template on both sides to make it symmetrical? When making your first wing, do you have to have your foam lined up in any special angle?

[@andpet55]

I have done both ways. I make my trainer planes with a non-tapered wing using templates on both sides and a bow. (see other videos) For an individual wing side that does not span more than about 30 inches they work fine. Put a joint in the middle and I have several planes with a span of 5 feet.

[@imstretchy5301]

First off I want to say very informative video and well done...ty for your video ! I just have a few questions for you andpets55 (1). Can I use the "G" string, (second string from the bottom), off of a guitar, it is nichrome as well I believe...? (2). How many watts is your computer power supply or does it matter ? (3). Does it matter how long and what gage the power supply leads are, (the ones with the alligator clips)...?

[@andpet55]

I am not sure if the guitar string will work or not. It should. Try it and let us know. The amperage is not that high for the power supplies, but if you have watched my other video on alternate power supplies I indicate not to use too low a wattage. Don't be misled by the total wattage on the side of a desktop power supply (350 watt as an example) A smaller laptop supply will be rated at 1 to two amps and will do the same thing. Best thing to do is just try it. If the wire does not get hot enough, you need more watts. The power supply leads need to be at minimum of 16 gauge braided wire. 14 would be better. Thanks for the question

[@QUARTERBAT]

good video. If you cut both pieces of foam to the same length and width wouldn't the wings turn out identical. I thought that was the reason to use foam quick and easy . I don't think you'd make an exactly matched pair of wings by then having to cut and sand them down. I'm definately going to make the cutter. This is not critism of the video just a quetion

[@shelbye1199]

Thanks for the information... Great video.. Where do you get your foam?? What gauge of nichrome are you using?? Thanks again.

[@andpet55]

I have used the white insulation (low density) and the pink or blue. The higher density foams (purchased at any hardware or lumber store cuts and sands more smoothly, but after coating with the paper, the other has considerably less weight. I use 22 gauge wire that you can purchase on ebay.

[@shelbye1199]

andpet55 Thank you very much for the information.

[@shelbye1199]

Shelby E Where do you get your white insulation (low density). I've got some 2" blue, but would like to try both.

[@andrepereira5438]

Hello! Can you tell me the size of your nickel chromium wire? I'm using a 0,30mm nickel chromium wire with 12v and isn't hot enough to cut my wings. Thanks.

[@andpet55]

I use 22ga wire but a lot depends on the length you try to cut. If you go much over 4 ft then it needs higher voltage.

[@sasanana706]

Mr. What's the type of wire which is used

[@andpet55]

22 ga nichrome wire you can purchase on ebay. Be careful not to get to long with it, though, only about 4 feet.

[@donaldwallace5696]

Do you have any pattern that are available? Don

[@black56dki]

i know now ^_^