I bought the Composite Practice Kit from Aircraft Spruce. It comes with a
Rutan manual, foam, epoxy, glass and a bunch of stuff to learn and practice
basic layup procedures. It goes into more details than what you would need for
the Europa, but the information is well worth it. Even if you bought the
fast-build kit, I would not attempt to mess with any parts of the Europa until
I have tried atleast a few practice layups.
"Steve Hagar" <hagargs@earthlink.net> wrote:
Jeff:
Epoxy is Aeropoxy. Flox is is always the Aeropoxy mixed with cotton (at
least in my plane) Redux is for the bonding of structural mechanical parts;
Fuselages, wing lids, etc. The five minute epoxy is typically used for
odds and ends where a quick rapid cure is desired. I believe it is called
out in all instances.It isn't a big deal not in any structural apps. They
do not get into all the details later on in the manual as the assumption is
that you will pick up the routine. You may want to pick up a Rutan book
and do a couple of the small little one day hands on projects detailed
therin. About a year ago in Sport Aviation there were several consecutive
articles by Ron Alexander on the details in using epoxy and fiberglass.
The Europa doesn't have anything really special, it is pretty routine. Read
some other reference material and do some other hands on work in addition
to the Europa chock. The point is to teach your hands the routine with the
material and get a feel on how it works. The Aero Poxy gets drop shipped
---From the manufacturer to your door step. It shouldn't hold you up as you
should be spending a good deal of time inventorying your goods and putting
all the hardware and pieces in little drawers and cabinets and shelves with
part numbers marked on the outside so you can concentrate on building and
not looking for parts 2 years later that you thought were put somewhere. I
did every one of my parts except for a small piece of additional sheet.
"I'll just lay this right in the pantry behind where I keep the epoxy so
I'll know where its at". Well after tearing the house apart and ordering a
replacement part I found it about 2 minutes after the new part arrived.
Have fun building
Steve Hagar
A143
Mesa, AZ
> [Original Message]
> From: JLW <jeffw@Telebyte.net>
> Date: 1/1/01 8:48:32 AM
> Subject: Puzzled by Epoxy
>
> Hello all...
>
> Having only just recently received a new kit, I find I am puzzled by
> the various epoxy types. I've continued reading the construction
> manual. I am puzzled about the mention of epoxy with regard to the
> installation of the rivets on control surfaces. For the rudder, it just
> says 'epoxy' and 'flox'. It doesn't specify which epoxy. The same
> thing for the trim tabs. Then, in the discussion about attaching the
> trim tab rivets to the tail (page 4-6), it specifically mentions the
> 'rapid epoxy' and 'flox'. Which epoxy is used for attaching the rivets
> to the rudder and to the trim tabs? If not the 'rapid epoxy', then why
> does it say to use the rapid type when attaching the trim tabs to the
> tail? Then, on page 7-7 in the discussion about attaching the hinges to
> the ailerons, it just say to follow the same principle as that of the
> rudder and anti-servo tabs. It just says attach them to the inside of
> each aileron flange with flox and pop-rivets. Again, it does not
> specify which epoxy. In fact it doesn't even mention epoxy, it just
> says flox. Should one assume that if only the word epoxy or flox is
> used, that the use of Aeropoxy is intended? Will the use of Redux, or
> Rapid Epoxy always be specified if they are to be used? If I am
> supposed to be using Aeropoxy, then my building is 'on hold' because I
> have not received it yet.
>
> Have a Happy New Year everyone!
>
> Jeff
>
--- Steve Hagar
--- hagargs@earthlink.net
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