Boom rigging tip

[Berman]

One possible solution for rigging pusher aircraft with tail booms such as DH-2, Fe2b, Farmans,Voisins is to use sewing needles. These are available in a large selection of sizes and are relatively cheap. It is very important to wear safety eye protection for the following steps.
 Grind down the head (area near the needle's eye) if a bit too long. Then snap off, using a pair of flat nosed pliers, a length of about four or five milimeters. Use a very fine toothed razor saw to cut a slot in the end of the strut for needle placement.  Drill a corresponding hole in the boom to accept the head of the needle.

[Alexis]

Thanks for the tip , never though of using sew needles .




Terri

[IanB]

I'm not sure I understand what you're trying to say. Are you suggesting that the needle replaces each end of the strut? If so, why not just cut a slot in the original strut?

Ian

[Des]

I'm with Ian on this one, I don't quite understand what it is you are trying to describe, do you have any photos or drawings of your technique?

Des.

[Berman]

The needle serves two functions.  It acts to pin the strut and boom together while providing the necessary hole for the rigging. I believe this creates a stronger assembly than just slotting or cross drilling the end of the strut. I had read a  1/48th scale DH-2 build article by Tom Morgan. He cross drilled .010 inch diameter tubing with a Mascot flat pivot .004 inch diameter drill bit to rig his tail booms. My thought was that needles have the holes already made. You could also drill out the end of the strut lengthwise for insertion of the needle piece but I think slotting would be easier.