❏
13. Drill a 3/32" hole into the leading edge of both
elevators. As you drill each hole, keep the drill aligned with
the top and bottom surface of the elevator and reference
lines you made in the previous steps.
❏
14. Refer to the Expert Tip that follows or use a Great
Planes Groove Tube
™
to cut a 3/32" groove in the leading
edge of both elevators to recess the joiner wire.
❏
15. Temporarily join the elevators with the joiner wire. The
joiner wire will be easier to install if you chamfer (bevel) the
ends a little. If necessary, “tweak” the joiner wire so the
elevators are parallel and lay flat on your building table when
the joiner wire is installed. If you found it necessary to
“tweak” the joiner wire, use a felt-tip pen to mark it so you
can install the joiner wire in the same orientation when you
permanently join the elevators.
❏
16. Lay the elevators and stab over the plan and lightly
mark the hinge locations on the LE of the elevators and the
TE of the stab. Repeat the process to mark the hinge
locations on the LE of the rudder and TE of the fin.
To cut the hinge slot, place the blades onto the wood
where you want the slot. Lightly press the teeth into the
wood. When you are satisfied with the location, press the
button on the handle and the blades will cut easily into the
balsa wood.
We have simplified the task of cutting hinge slots with the
introduction of the Great Planes Slot Machine
™
. This
simple electric tool cuts a perfect width slot for use with
CA hinges.
B. Use the sharpened tube to carefully gouge the leading
edge of the elevators. You’ll have to make several passes
to make the recess deep enough for the joiner wire.
A. Use a #11 knife blade to sharpen the inside of a piece
of 3/32” brass tube. Roll the tube as you carve the end.
HOW TO CUT A GROOVE FOR A JOINER WIRE
10