leading edge dents

[N74DV]

we took the wings off N43122 today and trailered them back to the shop. In the process we managed to get some deformation on each wing in the leading edge.

There's no way to get behind it that I could tell as the spar is in the way. How does one go about re-forming the dents out of the leading edge?

[jgerard]

Re: leading edge dents

are you starting a recover project DJ?

[joelharris]

Re: leading edge dents



Forgive me

[Chet Peek]

Re: leading edge dents

NEVER recover a Taylorcraft wing without putting on new leading edges. Make your own, it is so easy.

Chet Peek

[N74DV]

Re: leading edge dents

we're trying to avoid recover if possible. Theonly reason we removed the wings was because we had to move the aircraft 2 miles from the airport to our shop to replace the strut attachment fittings.

[Pearson]

Re: leading edge dents

Don't laugh at those plungers, they work if you use the proper technique. Try usinging a valve lapping tool (tiny plunger). Put the tool where the dent is and while pulling, tap LIGHTLY where the kink is that is holding the dent in. You may even be able to work the kink out with your thumb. If you have a large dent, start with the valve lapping tool close to one edge of the dent and work your way toward the middle from both sides.

If the fabric comes loose from the skin this won't work. But as thin as those leading edges are, it shouldn't take much to work a dent out.

[astjp2]

Re: leading edge dents

You can make a small incesion and go in with a tool to push out the dent. Just put a patch over the hole. Tim

[mhorowit]

Re: leading edge dents

NEVER recover a Taylorcraft wing without putting on new leading edges. Make your own, it is so easy.

Chet Peek

Now that's a bold and scary comment. Very appropriate as I'm in the process of removing fabric and cleaning off glue in preparation for an IA to come by and tell me what has to be fixed on the wings. I see some corrosion on the LE so something will have to be done to address that; but replacing the LE sounds like a nightmare - especially if I gotta drill blind holes like for the ailerons. - Mike

[guns68]

Re: leading edge dents

NEVER recover a Taylorcraft wing without putting on new leading edges. Make your own, it is so easy.

Chet Peek

What's the procedure? I'm looking at replacing the leading edges on my plane in the near future (probably next winter)

[astjp2]

Re: leading edge dents

Reproduce what is already there, i used 2024t3 .020 with 12" wide by 60" or so long. Tim

[Carrieve]

Re: leading edge dents

An old trick I learned from Ray Stitts, was prior to covering, I layed down a layer of flannel on the leading edge. It covered up the small dents and adds a softer cushion for all this little dings that might occur.

[freightpilot27]

Re: leading edge dents

An old trick I learned from Ray Stitts, was prior to covering, I layed down a layer of flannel on the leading edge. It covered up the small dents and adds a softer cushion for all this little dings that might occur.

Polyfiber has an APPROVED polyester fabric just for this purpose.

[Robert Lees]

Re: leading edge dents

Well, I reused my leading edges. Minor dents I filled with microballoons (the blue Polyfiber product).

I didn't like the idea of the flannel, since I was using the blanket rather than the envelope covering method.

[Bob Waldron]

Re: leading edge dents

Using Flannel or the approved polyester batting will make the leading edge look much smoother and prevent showing the seams where pieces of leading edge aluminum overlap each other -- BUT -- you cannot use any batting or fabric on the leading edge if you intend to glue the top fabric to the bottom fabric at the leading edge. Never ever glue fabric to fabric over anything but solid structure.

[Robert Lees]

Re: leading edge dents

I guess that's what I meant to say...flannel is only approved with envelopes.