l
F.8L Falco Construction Manual
10–9
Revision 4, March 1, 2002
60"
50"
40"
30"
20"
10"
8"
6"
4"
3"
2"
1"
.40"
.30"
.20"
.10"
.05"
.04"
.03"
.02"
.01"
.02"
.04" .06" .10"
.20".30"
.60" 1"
90° angle-10% moisture content
0° angle-10% moisture content
90° angle-hot soaked
0° angle-hot soaked
Thickness of Plywood (inches)
Approximate Breaking Radius of Plywood (inches)
Figure 8
The first lesson to learn is that all plywood should be cut so that the grain is parallel (or roughly
parallel) to the axis of the bend.
The next thing to understand is that the plywood must be soaked in water. Birch plywood takes
longer to become thoroughly soaked, so you will have to soak it for a couple of days. The
moderate bends of the elevator and rudder leading edges can be easily made by soaking the
plywood and clamping it in place. The leading edges of the fin, stabilizer and wing are much
tighter. These can be bent by soaking and clamping, but many builders have found that using a
steam iron on the plywood will allow them to bend a tightest radius easily and quickly. The steam
from the iron quickly heats the plywood to the temperatures needed for easy bending.
This method of hot-bending plywood should not be overlooked by a Falco builder. You can do
truly amazing things with wood once it is heated. Bentwood rockers are made this way, as are the
molded plywood chairs you see so frequently in cafeterias.
Summary of Contents for F.8L Falco
Page 1: ...F 8L Falco Construction Manual...
Page 7: ...l F 8L Falco Construction Manual Revision 4 March 1 2002...
Page 21: ...l F 8L Falco Construction Manual 1 8 Revision 4 March 1 2002...
Page 29: ...l F 8L Falco Construction Manual 2 8 Revision 4 March 1 2002...
Page 43: ...l F 8L Falco Construction Manual 5 4 Revision 4 March 1 2002...
Page 65: ...l F 8L Falco Construction Manual 9 6 Revision 4 March 1 2002...
Page 81: ...l F 8L Falco Construction Manual 10 16 Revision 4 March 1 2002...
Page 109: ...l F 8L Falco Construction Manual 15 4 Revision 4 March 1 2002...
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Page 387: ...l F 8L Falco Construction Manual 28 26 Revision 4 March 1 2002...
Page 393: ...l F 8L Falco Construction Manual A 6 Revision 4 March 1 2002...