How to Cut Foam RC Plane Wings

[stinkbo5150]

So if i understand this right.... you only use one template?? I am just getting back into this and before i used a wood template on both ends of the foam.... does this cutter just do tapered wings or can it do straight wings?

[laitchdasi]

how many volts? AC or DC .. i think AC (:

and thanks for sharing!

[ThisisTheShady]

That was a really great tip.

I will definitely be trying that soon.

Thanks

[cod4madass]

you need ALOT more tension than that. from past experience i can tell you that the more tension the better the final finish. saves all the after work.

[441rider]

At least you did not use a gas can on top! nice instructional.

[ade4200]

Hi, great videos, thanks. Have you found a way to cut washout/twist into the wings. I am thinking of using 2 templates at the same time with the same cutting method. It will probably be very tricky to get the wire to follow the 2 templates, one on either end of the foam,at the same time though!?

[The7576Dave]

I use a car battery charger as power source, gives about 3A through a guitar B string fitted to a wooden bow frame. I like the dimmer idea for varying the current/heat, will give that a try.

[croquels1]

of course in Namibia MIGHT need insulation for COOLING! DOOOHH! (those big cold rooms to store food)

[fishycomics]

member directs me shown a "LIKE" enjoyed the video. very interesting on how to make a wing. to bad i have not the room for a shop this be one thing i set up. i protec thte outer laegator clips and a good few inchs of hte wire where held. the vdc is alright just an idea. great job

[kdknitro]

what is the power out on the transformer, sorry for you getting all these questions lol

[DynamAero]

@kdknitro I'm not sure what the power was with this one. Right now I use 30 guage nichrome wire at around 1A and whatever voltage is required to get that current.

[kdknitro]

@DynamAero thanks man

[OJpilotboy]

hi were did you get the stryrofoam?

[DynamAero]

@OJpilotboy Home Depot

[OJpilotboy]

@DynamAero im from Namibia in Southern Africa and the hobby shops here dont even sell building foam so where could i order from to get it here in Namibia?

[DynamAero]

@OJpilotboy Instead of a hobby shop try a building supply store. This foam is sold as insulation for buildings. Though I don't know how much need you have for insulation in Namibia.

[OJpilotboy]

@DynamAero actually not much need but ill try ordering from south africa thanks :-)

[cibergenio2008]

@DynamAero  EN LA TIENDAS DE CONTRUCCION SE CONSIGUE TELGOPOR QUE NO ES LO MISMO QUE FOAM

[datzfast]

does the rheostat adjust the power to the transformer or to the wire

[DynamAero]

@datzfast To the transformer.

[fluffernugget7]

one way to eliminate the ripples is to mount one end of the wire at the point where leading and trailing edges would meet at a virtual corner. low temp hot glue is also a cheap and effective way to hold it in place during cutting. also using dc rather than ac will stop the wire from vibrating. cardboard also works for templates and if its thin enough you can use a printer to make accurate templates quickly.

[DUMBASS73737]

it's good,but you complicating,I made a pen for cuting with some wire and mobile charger. :D

[xianscott]

I always wondered how to shape plane parts from foam. Can we use the same process to shape other parts example the fuselage and then glue everything together?.

I'm thinking of an RC plane made out of very light foam, thats light as a feather and powered by a powerfull OS engine.

By the way we have the same AS 3.0 book, LoL.

[SirLovestain]

You write in python?

[DynamAero]

@SirLovestain No. That's an Actionscript 3.0 book.

[SHADOW10621]

What size transformer did you use ? How is it wired ? Awesome home built cutter. Very cool. Thanks for uploading this.

[sivsivsree]

Hey yar sorry its not me its ma crazy friendz...

Jus rated ur video....

Really sorryyyy..

Ill remove it...

[LAN04H]

@sivsivsree just looked at your stunt jam crap. if we need to know how to stand on our head on a poor persons table we'll ask u.

[LAN04H]

looks like a good idea. please tape your slack wire from your power source down tho, made me cringe a lil when it got close. also, can u list dimensions and angles that u used for this project?

[Hobby331]

That's awesome using just one template to give you the otherwise hard to cat wing shape. Great!

[SimpleXPT]

can u send me the same template (image) to me plz....

Thz Fabio Moura

[edu40000]

How many templates do you attach at the wing 1 or 2 ?

[DynamAero]

@edu40000 Just one. The other end of the wire is attached to the table.

[DynamAero]

@TheDarkWeapon45 Thanks!

[SecondCocacola]

can you give us a website or something that shows all the different types of airfoils please

[einarknutsen]

awesome way to repair your planes. i had a plane and the upper wing snapped off. and i threw it away before i watched this. LOl but good vid :)

[martyisnuts]

is that transformer DC volts?

[RobinnTech]

Where do you get the airfoil templates?

[DynamAero]

@RobinnTech I cut them out of wood with a scroll saw.

[trailkeeper]

It would be neat to make a boat out of that process, and maby coat it with fiberglass or something.

[TheBunnyFilms]

Thanks for an amazing TUT

[ross9886]

Very impressive! I built one like yours this weekend after seeing this. However, my specs are a little different:

16V 10W transformer (from 110V 1.5A)

0.2 mm / 0.008 inch plain steel wire, from a guitar shop $0.75 per meter.

My wire is just a little too fragile for my liking; it is rated for 10.1 lbs at room temperature. I've broken 3 of 6 wires making a dozen or so practice wings. When I am cutting through about 60 cm of blue Dow foam, I have the dimmer set around 85%.

[doraarmendariz]

dude your tabletop hot wire cutter rules! much better than all the other crap cutters on here.

[ONPRIEL]

what is the voltage on the transformer side? you use really a guitar string?

good idea and very good demonstartion. like it much. i give you a F++ for your work ;-)

[martskit]

good stuff, thanks

[nblebaron]

how does this foam hold up compared to EPP? Sry I'm new to this whole foam cutting scene.

[DynamAero]

@nblebaron I've never used EPP but from what I've seen it is far more durable than this blue styrofoam. EPP is more flexible so it doesnt break on impact. However, I believe EPP is heavier and is not stiff enough to make a spar-less wing out of.

[nblebaron]

@DynamAero how many amps do I need the transformer to put out?

[DynamAero]

@nblebaron I've never measured the actual current I use while cutting but my transformer is a 12.6 volt 2 amp.

[outbackjack1974]

@nblebaron Not sure either, but I bet if you made each win from two peices, with a carbon rod in the middle it would be way better.

[Cjudd001]

Nice tutorial

[dawallacebob]

Were would i find a wing template? Great idea, Ive been wondering how i would cut a wing. Thanks.

[DynamAero]

@dawallacebob You have to make the template yourself. As for coming up with a shape for it, look up NACA airfols. You cant go wrong with a NACA 2412 airfoil. In reality though, you could just draw a shape that looks good to you and it will work. In RC airplanes it really doesn't matter that much.

[dawallacebob]

@DynamAero That is exactly what I needed to know. I have been looking for template shapes for a long time with no success. Thanks :>

[RcTinCan]

@DynamAero What is your power supply and please, how do you wire it up?

[kmmofbrick]

Would like if you could clarify a bit on the transformer. Does it have a 110 volt ac primary with a 12.6 volt ac secondary? Thanks

[DynamAero]

@kmmofbrick That's correct. I soldered the primary windings to a spare power cord and that plugs right into the wall.

[Dave51262]

Great video. Thanks for sharing this idea. Great cut too.

[AfghanKnight007]

very gooood man, is this polystirine foam or some thing else?

[DynamAero]

@AfghanKnight007 Yeah it is polystyrene foam. It's DOW syrofoam. 

[taiyogenki]

Nice 1!

[taiyogenki]

@taiyogenki How about using a bow so you can do 2 templates at once?

[DynamAero]

@taiyogenki I have used a bow and two templates before. It is actually quite difficult to go around the leading edge without making mistakes when using two positive templates.

[chiosex]

I was very impressed with the simplicity of your rig and the quality of the cut wing, especially as you did it while filming. Very nice man. Gonna have to try it myself now

[chiosex]

very nicely done, do you use a former on both ends or is one enough on the outside (erm inside, closest to fuselage)? i'm thinking that the one is enough and the wing tapers/thins out towards the end? very good btw, even the oops bits are not huge, lol

[DynamAero]

@chiosex I just had one template on one side. So all I can cut is wings with linear taper. I've tried it with a template on either side and it makes it MUCH more difficult. And thanks I thought it was a pretty good cut considering I was watching it through the camera!

[DarkFidelity]

Awesome. Simple stuff is the best. This automatic cutter stuff is... ridiculous.

[rowdyrodcumming]

Awsome... I've been looking at all these complex bow designs, and then I found your video... just perfect!!! I have a nice 2 amp 24 volt variable supply and a bunch of foam itching to be cut !! Thanks heaps.

[DynamAero]

@rowdyrodcumming Glad I could help. Let me know if you have any questions regarding the build or anything.

[kdknitro]

im curious what volt and watt is that inverter??? and do u have links to where u got the plans?

[DynamAero]

@kdknitro I didn't use plans, but the wiring is very simple. It's a 12.6 volt , 2 amp transformer.

[kdknitro]

@DynamAero ok not bad thanks for the info

[randyneighbour]

very nice