Reinforcing the Edges

The thickness of the tip is less than 1/16″.  You have to build up the edges to 1/8″ if you want to use the screws, like I do.  This means that I have to apply several layers of fiberglass to the inside of the tips in order to build it up.  I’m still getting the hang of this.  In addition to the build up you have to put reinforcement strips onto the edge for the nutplates to attach to.  I made my strips (W-728) from a recycled rudder skin.  The thickness of the metal just needs to be .02, which is what the rudder is made from.

Using the Dremel I made strips that were 1/2″ wide and between 16 to 20″ long.

These will be laid down, end to end.  The nutplates will be attached to these.

My first attempt at to layup to the fiberglass was pretty messy, but my second was quite a bit neater.  The area I glassed is darker.

I figure it will take 3 or 4 layers to get to the 1/8″.