TQ covering material, What to Use ?

[ozziesim]

Hey Guys,

Those of you who are building your own TQ

I was wandering what type of materials were used to cover the quad frame.
Ive got some thin aluminium sheeting, thin enough to cut with a stanley knife but it seems a little thin i feel.

Any suggestions or specs on the material used by others ?

[Per Alm]

Good question!
I'm also looking for a good cover material for my TQ.

Per Alm

[Jackpilot]

I used for my prototype a big Cylindrical ...
...flower pot about a foot in diameter
Made of a sort of though but flexible plastic 2mm thick
Cut a section of it and made neat openings and slots with a circular saw.

[PaulEMB]

I used 3.4mm perspex, which after cutting, I heated with a heat gun, and bent to shape - this also allows backlighting.

[Michael Carter]

I used a laminate of .030" sheet ABS plastic, 1/16" rubber sheeting, and .090" aluminum roof flashing.

Pretty solid actually, but there are not many open areas under the laminate. The widest is about 1-1/2" from the #3 throttle lever right bulkhead to the main outer bulkhead where the flap gate is located.

Laminate as you cover. Don't laminate the sheets while they're flat or you'll have problems.

[Westozy]

I agree with Paul,

Two pieces of clear perspex with backlighting films inbetween works a treat.

Gwyn

[ozziesim]

Flower Pot ?? Interesting, never did i even think to use garden accessories for my cockpit. I guess its up to ones imagination Ha ha.

Hey Gwyn, the perspex you used, did you heat it to bend or is it flexible enough to be bent into shape ??

[Westozy]

Flower Pot ?? Interesting, never did i even think to use garden accessories for my cockpit. I guess its up to ones imagination Ha ha.

Hey Gwyn, the perspex you used, did you heat it to bend or is it flexible enough to be bent into shape ??

I used 3mm and heated it in the oven, the recipe! 3 minutes at 180 and it becomes quite pliable. I've since bought a heat gun which will work much better for the next one. 2mm will probably bend ok cold. I can email you my Computer Pilot articles that describe the simple backlighting method if you want.


Gwyn

[mauriceb]

I used galvanized steel, the same thing that is used is heating ducts. It is quite plyable & easy to shape, yet rigid enough for the job.

Maurice

[ozziesim]

I used 3mm and heated it in the oven, the recipe! 3 minutes at 180 and it becomes quite pliable. I've since bought a heat gun which will work much better for the next one. 2mm will probably bend ok cold. I can email you my Computer Pilot articles that describe the simple backlighting method if you want.


Gwyn

Cheers Gwyn that would be great, i havent read that one . Plus its been a while since i baked anything and the recipie seems easy enough.

The thin aluminium is ok, but im finding it a little too flexible so i dont think it will give me the finish i am looking for. I like the idea of perspex better !!