Ingenious Balsa Stripper

HOW often have needed odd-sized tapered balsa strip inexpensive easy make very accurate beam balsa stripper Since handles sheets up 3/32 thick designed small models mind such flying scale especially Peanut P-30 Embryo Pennyplane etc Although have used itto build very light indoor ships might consider very sophisticated accurate micrometer beam stripper want build stuff like indoor microfilm Micrometer strippers available $4100 Ray Harlan 15 Happy Hollow Rd Wayland MA 01778 anything less exotic however stripper ideal price whole thing should exceed four dollars expensive part will aluminum beam can found good hardware store sure get nicks scratches construction device simple selfexplanatory entire stripper can built matter hours use tool securely tape piece balsa sheet board Turn screws beam near edge sheet make truing cut Keep beam pressed against screws blade flat against edge beam cutting cut strip back off screws necessary distance cut again Repeat last step another strip Several light passes produce better results heavy cut edge strip less likely wobbly marking dots discs intended help keep track number turns backed off sure aligned beginning March 1983 57 lose count backing off screw referenc ing dot other screw will enable set things straight again Undoubtedly biggest advantage beamtype stripper tapered strips can cut just easily accurately untapered variety have cut indoor FA prop spars with good results although cutting stroke extensively practiced before such critical operation successful Mark beam off fourths fifths sixths help figure out screw settings given taper Another ideal application tool rapid cutting perfectly matched sliced ribs Simply butt bottom edge 3f rib template against beam away go can accurately vary thickness ofthe ribs go root tip case make sure aluminum beam parallel board times Shim rear edge beam stripping sheets less 12 wide Finally other balsa stripper can save considerable money cutting own strips sheer stock lot building instancethis stripperwill easily pay itself less year Mark Drela Ingenious Balsa Stripper expensive part system aluminum beam haraware store e sure get isnt nicked scratched Put whole thing together matter hours markings discs help keep track number turns backed offand assure reDeatable results Taoered strips can cut easily straight ones