On 26 Feb 2005 15:48:41 -0800, wrote:

Hey all,
I'm looking at starting to build a premolded composite quickbuild kit
within the next few months. I'm looking to get as much practice
glassing before I get started. I've already been to the EAA sportair
composite construction shop and it was awesome. Some people recommended
to get an RC kit and practice the fibreglassing techniques on that, but
when I went to the local hobby shop, the dude told me nobody uses
fibreglassing on RC planes. Anyway, any of you guys have any advice on
what's the best way to get practice working with moldless construction
before actually starting the plane?

Omri

1. try making yourself a battery box

get two blocks of white polystyrene.
hotwire one to a block just bigger than your battery and about an inch
lower than it's top edge.
layup at 45 degrees to each side enough plys to make a decent layup.
you want to layup in one hit the base and 4 sides as one integral
part. (basically an open top fibreglass box)
let it cure.
pour a cup of petrol into the white bead foam and watch it dissolve.
wash out all the reside from the bead foam.

hotwire cut cut the other block to a size that makes a neat fitting
lid. fibreglass this in a similar manner to the base.
clean out the polystyrene and you have a battery box.

.....or maybe the world's first indestructible lunch box. :-)

or
2. a flying tool box.

assemble together the minimum kit of tools that you would take long
distance flying.
(mine fits in a little shaving bag 2" x 3" x 4") and make yourself an
indestructible little tool box to carry in the bottom of the aircraft
luggage.

remember the aphorism "not white, not wet" and you should be well on
the way to good glassing. if it turns out crappy then take it to the
next chapter meet and ask for some guidance.
btw it may help to have a look around at good battery box setups to
get some ideas. the 'inch below the top' is so that you can grab a
dead one and pull it out to replace it.
Stealth Pilot