TQ covering material, What to Use ?

[ozziesim]

Hey Guys,

Those of you who are building your own TQ

I was wandering what type of materials were used to cover the quad frame.
Ive got some thin aluminium sheeting, thin enough to cut with a stanley knife but it seems a little thin i feel.

Any suggestions or specs on the material used by others ?

[Per Alm]

Good question!
I'm also looking for a good cover material for my TQ.

Per Alm

[Jackpilot]

I used for my prototype a big Cylindrical ...
...flower pot about a foot in diameter
Made of a sort of though but flexible plastic 2mm thick
Cut a section of it and made neat openings and slots with a circular saw.


http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c29/jackpilot/pedest1.jpg

[PaulEMB]

I used 3.4mm perspex, which after cutting, I heated with a heat gun, and bent to shape - this also allows backlighting.

[Michael Carter]

I used a laminate of .030" sheet ABS plastic, 1/16" rubber sheeting, and .090" aluminum roof flashing.

Pretty solid actually, but there are not many open areas under the laminate. The widest is about 1-1/2" from the #3 throttle lever right bulkhead to the main outer bulkhead where the flap gate is located.

Laminate as you cover. Don't laminate the sheets while they're flat or you'll have problems.

[Westozy]

I agree with Paul,

Two pieces of clear perspex with backlighting films inbetween works a treat.

Gwyn

[ozziesim]

Flower Pot ?? Interesting, never did i even think to use garden accessories for my cockpit. I guess its up to ones imagination Ha ha.

Hey Gwyn, the perspex you used, did you heat it to bend or is it flexible enough to be bent into shape ??

[Westozy]

Flower Pot ?? Interesting, never did i even think to use garden accessories for my cockpit. I guess its up to ones imagination Ha ha.

Hey Gwyn, the perspex you used, did you heat it to bend or is it flexible enough to be bent into shape ??

I used 3mm and heated it in the oven, the recipe! 3 minutes at 180 and it becomes quite pliable. I've since bought a heat gun which will work much better for the next one. 2mm will probably bend ok cold. I can email you my Computer Pilot articles that describe the simple backlighting method if you want.
http://www.mycockpit.org/photopost/data/571/TQ01.jpg

Gwyn

[mauriceb]

I used galvanized steel, the same thing that is used is heating ducts. It is quite plyable & easy to shape, yet rigid enough for the job.

Maurice

[ozziesim]

I used 3mm and heated it in the oven, the recipe! 3 minutes at 180 and it becomes quite pliable. I've since bought a heat gun which will work much better for the next one. 2mm will probably bend ok cold. I can email you my Computer Pilot articles that describe the simple backlighting method if you want.


Gwyn

Cheers Gwyn that would be great, i havent read that one . Plus its been a while since i baked anything and the recipie seems easy enough.

The thin aluminium is ok, but im finding it a little too flexible so i dont think it will give me the finish i am looking for. I like the idea of perspex better !!

[ozziesim]

I used galvanized steel, the same thing that is used is heating ducts. It is quite plyable & easy to shape, yet rigid enough for the job.

Maurice

Not a bad idea either and the steel is a little thicker. How did you go with cutting the steel accurately. Did you use any specialised tools to do the cutting or did you just use the good ol tin snips ?

[mauriceb]

Not a bad idea either and the steel is a little thicker. How did you go with cutting the steel accurately. Did you use any specialised tools to do the cutting or did you just use the good ol tin snips ?

I used tin snips and also my radial arm saw with a carbide blade for longer straight cuts. Cutting steel that way is not usually 'recommended' :D, but although it was very noisy, the cuts were very clean and the galvanized steel is soft enough that the blade survived quite well :lol:

I wouldn't try that with a table saw though, and anyway, the tin snips do a fairly good job as long as you are careful & don't cut all the way to the tip of the blade since it tends to bend the metal a bit near the tip.

Maurice

[Trevor Hale]

I used 3mm and heated it in the oven, the recipe! 3 minutes at 180 and it becomes quite pliable.

Gwyn

I bet Di, Loved seeing you bring the stuff in from the shed and putting it in her oven LOL

[vpilot]

Hi Gwyn,

Can you please send me a copy of that article as well?
Would be great to have my TQ prepared for backlighting.

Thanks!

Sander

sander at vpilot dot net :cool:

[PascalHaldenstein]

Hi Gwyn
would be great if I could receive the e-mail as well.
Thanks a lot.

halde_99 "at" hotmail "dot" com

[Westozy]

I bet Di, Loved seeing you bring the stuff in from the shed and putting it in her oven LOL

Who said she knew anything about it??? LOL

Articles on the way to the other vpilot & pascal...


Gwyn

[mauriceb]

Who said she knew anything about it??? LOL

Gwyn

Trev is nothing but a sexist pig. I mean...calling it "her oven" :roll: :p

Maurice

[paulj]

Hi Gwyn,

Would appreciate a copy of your backlighting article too.
Just about to start backlighting my mip.
thanks
Paul

pauljohnston at iinet dot net dot au

[PascalHaldenstein]

Gwyn
Thanks a lot man. These files are very helpful, for me especially the one about self made backlighting. Why don't you put it into the download section where everyone can download it?

Thanks again

[Trevor Hale]

Trev is nothing but a sexist pig. I mean...calling it "her oven" :roll: :p

Maurice

LOL. Sorry your right. My Bad! LOL