Windmill Class Association

I currently have 3 workable rudders- one is the all cedar first article and has some epoxy/microballon filler where the roughing pass was too deep and didn't clean up. It can go for the original quote, is nice and accurate but of course needs glass and wouldn't be pretty on one side if bright finished. I'll probably glass it and use it as a practice rudder on my DuraBilt.

The other 2 have mahogany leading edges with the remainder of cedar. They do have very thin and weak trailing edges but I epoxied any splits or tears in them today. I plan to vacuum bag glass/epoxy over one of them tomorrow but I can supply one bare for the original quoted price. Vacuum bagging would provide the lightest possible layup and add thickness to the trailing edge but of course add cost. It wouldn't be too hard to cut the trailing edges off and add a new hard piece, dressing it with a hand plane to the trailing edge angle but adds to the cost.

I have laminated 2 more blanks today for carving tomorrow I hope- only one is all mahogany (still laminated) and the other is a test with some really clean 'clear white pine' with a mahogany leading edge. The Mahogany would be easy to bright finish without glass but I hope to get $150 for a mahogany unfinished blank. It is more difficult to prepare the tougher mahogany and the material of course is more expensive too.

A hardwood trailing edge I will have to think about - because of the taper it is not a simple lamination anymore unless it spans 2 of the strips I am using now.

In the coming week I will source other woods such as real Spruce, and perhaps more mahogany. The local boat builders use a pine known as 'Pinus Virginium', but call it 'spruce pine'.

Trying hard to keep the costs down and availability up!

Rick

:: What ever you have is fine. I would perfer something I
:: could bright finish if posable. I have started my own
:: out of ceder and have found the same thing it will have
:: to be glassed. Mahogany leading and trailing edge would
:: be good or you might look at a hard wood trailing edge.
::
:: let me know how it is comming the photos look neat.
::
::
::
::
:: :: Roy,
:: ::
:: :: What material? Spruce? Mahogany?
:: ::
:: :: I cut several more rudder blanks today, and posted some
:: :: photos in the Builders Corner of the Photos page here. I
:: :: also tried to post a message about it, but apparently it
:: :: didn't 'take'....
:: ::
:: :: The rudders I made today are western red cedar with a
:: :: mahogany leading edge. The cedar is very weak, and needs
:: :: the glass wrap real bad. The trailing edge fo the first
:: :: all cedar one was thicker and is OK- the ones today had
:: :: tighter tolerancing and the trailing edges are 'ratty'.
:: :: The glass will fix it. I'll laminate 2 all mahogany ones
:: :: tomorrow for machining Jan 1.
:: ::
:: :: I hope this message posts OK....
:: ::
:: :: Rick Loheed
::
:: :: http://mysite.verizon.net/vzew00ta/loheed
:: ::
:: ::
:: :: :: I do now place my order for 1 rudder blank
:: :: ::
:: :: ::
:: :: :: :: Windmillers-
:: :: :: ::
:: :: :: :: I have written the G-Code programs for the new rudder,
:: :: :: :: allowing 0.010" for a thin glass finish over the
:: :: :: :: recomended NACA 0012 section, and purchased western red
:: :: :: :: cedar and mahogany. Ethan and others would prefer Spruce
:: :: :: :: and I have now a source for that, too. This afternoon I
:: :: :: :: am ripping and gluing up my laminations for my rudder,
:: :: :: :: which will be the first Windmill rudder on the CNC
:: :: :: :: router. I plan to use mahogany for the leading and
:: :: :: :: trailing edges. After that, it will get a 'peel-ply' and
:: :: :: :: absorbent mat vacuum bagged layer of 8 oz glass/epoxy-
:: :: :: :: after which I will finish it out with Bristol Finish.
:: :: :: :: The vacuum bagging of course ensuring the maximum
:: :: :: :: glass/resin ratio.
:: :: :: ::
:: :: :: :: I think I can cut unfinished wood blanks for $125.00-
:: :: :: :: that is what I have told Ethan. After the first article,
:: :: :: :: I will know better how much time it takes.
:: :: :: ::
:: :: :: :: See http://mysite.verizon.net/vzew00ta/loheed
:: :: :: ::
:: :: :: :: See you at the Mid-Winters!