Trouble Glueing The PosterBoard onto FT Planes?

by JDill | February 2, 2016 | (6) Posted in Tips

In my build of the FT Racer/Slinger (thank you David Windestål) I used double-sided tape when it came time to install the poster board canopy pieces. It worked great! Makes for a very easy, clean installation. I stumbled across the idea because I didn't have any medium CA to use as the build video showed.

The tape I used was Scotch "Window Insulator Tape", 1/2" wide, left over from a plastic film window insulating project. Nice to work with since it had a peel-off backing on one side. I'm sure something similar can be purchased separately.

Just apply the tape right along the edges and trim with a blade. Note that I also marked the center of the radius.

Next, I marked the center of the former, and used a small spot of hot glue on the top of both formers to tack the canopy in place, lining up the centerlines.

Then, one side at a time, just peel off the tape backing, apply glue down the formers, and press the canopy down into place, sealing the tape to the foam board. This particular design is nice because there is enough overhang that most of the tape seals to the foam board.

As mentioned, the result is a very clean installation.

I used the same tecnique for the front canopy, and even for the cockpit area and "hat", with tape along the back edge and just a drop of hot glue under both sides and the front brim of the hat.

Just need to add the air scoops, which probably will take some medium CA to install correctly.

Thanks Flite Test for another awesome design!

 

COMMENTS

ttprigg on February 8, 2016
JDill, Great Idea! I have a roll of the stuff lying around somewhere- I'll need to find it and give it a try... I did see that "Scotch® Indoor Window Film Mounting Tape" is available from Amazon for <$7 a roll.
Thanks for the tip.
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JDill on February 9, 2016
Glad to share. I like that this tape had the backing that could be peeled off because it makes it easy to work with. Of course regular double-side tape in a dispenser like I saw at Walmart today would work fine too.
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Fearless FPV on February 10, 2016
I really like your method! I'll try it the next time I build.
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HilldaFlyer on February 13, 2016
Thanks for the tip. The first few time I used the poster board I was frustrated and struggled to get it on straight in the time it takes for the glue to cool. Another trick I've been using is to run a very small bead of hot glue along the poster board edge, just like you did with the tape. Fit it to the plane and then heat it up with a hair dryer.
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Njfoam on February 13, 2016
I have had the same problem, and because I hate working with poster board, I make all the parts out of dtfb (cut many slits on the inside to get it to curve) it comes out nice!
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Trouble Glueing The PosterBoard onto FT Planes?