Windmill Class Association

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!