![\"DSC_0458\"](\"http:\/\/www.balsaworkbench.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/DSC_0458.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nNext we switch over to the sanding block. \u00a0Envision the final shape and imagine a tangent line that contacts the curve of the airfoil where the leading edge stick meets the ribs or rib sheeting. \u00a0Obviously you should\u00a0never tip your sanding block farther back than this line, because that would flatten the ribs.<\/p>\n
This is what it’s supposed to look like when it’s finished, but it doesn’t look like that yet. \u00a0At the beginning it looks more like this.<\/p>\n Notice that I kept the tangent line parallel to the one in the original diagram. \u00a0This is because you should imagine the tangent line and sand the leading edge at that angle and stop when you reach the ribs or rib sheeting. \u00a0Naturally, you should start with the block at the same angle you intend it to be at when you’re finishing. \u00a0Sand the entire length of the wing at this angle.<\/p>\n I always move the block in a circle, rather than back and forth. \u00a0Do not change the angle of the sanding block. \u00a0Sand until you just touch the ribs or rib sheeting. \u00a0Start at one end, and continue until you reach the other end and it all looks the same, with one facet sanded into the stick.<\/p>\n Here’s what it looks like from the end. \u00a0I also sanded the bottom flat to match the bottom of the wing.<\/p>\n This was pretty easy because it’s a flat bottom airfoil. \u00a0If this were a Clark Y or a symmetrical airfoil you would\u00a0sand the bottom the same way that the top was done.<\/p>\n At this point you can see how you really don’t need to take much off to achieve a smooth curve. \u00a0In the case of the wing in my photos you could simply take off the corner, making little circles with the sanding block and rocking it back and forth around the curve, while moving\u00a0from one end to the other. \u00a0This would make a finished curve pretty easily. \u00a0Here’s the result:<\/p>\n If you have a bigger stick or a thicker airfoil, then you should approach it a bit more systematically. \u00a0Imagine another tangent line, preferably at the apex of one of the front corners of the stick, and sand another facet into the stick without rocking the block, all the way from one end to the other. \u00a0You could do this on the top and the bottom.<\/p>\n At this point it’s bound to be very close to the final shape. \u00a0Now go to each protruding corner, make little circles with the block, and rock the block around the curve as you go from one end of the wing to the other.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Lots of kits have pre shaped leading edges for the wings, and some balsa suppliers sell pre shaped leading edges for your scratch built wings. \u00a0But most of the time the leading edge is shaped from a square stick. Rule … Continue reading <\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n