How big of a ding in the skin is too big?

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How big of a ding in the skin is too big?

Postby BradPayne » Mon Sep 19, 2022 11:41 pm

I was polishing the side of my Sonex skin before final assembly and the 1 week old Horrible Freight polisher shaft broke and dinged the skin. I’m wondering if this is a big enough ding to be a structural concern.

I’m leaning toward replacing the skin. The $202+ shipping for the metal from Spruce doesn’t bother me as much as the 7 hours of polishing and half a jar of F7 I have invested in this skin. Is this enough to be a structural concern?

Also looking for new Polisher recommendations.

Thanks for your input.
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Re: How big of a ding in the skin is too big?

Postby GraemeSmith » Tue Sep 20, 2022 1:19 am

I use one of these:

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B004W1WGIC

All the power and speeds you will need with a nice soft start.
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Re: How big of a ding in the skin is too big?

Postby GordonTurner » Tue Sep 20, 2022 7:28 am

You should get the answer from Sonex tech support.

Probably no structural ramification, but we can’t see where it actually is.

Let us know what you find out and decide to do.

Best of luck, Gordon
Waiex 158 New York. N88YX registered.
3.0 Liter Corvair built, run, and installed.
Garmin panel, Shorai LiFePo batteries.
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Re: How big of a ding in the skin is too big?

Postby jolson » Tue Sep 20, 2022 8:56 am

Agree with Gordon, talk with Sonex tech support.

I'm a fan of the Milwaukee brushless technology and use the M18 variable speed polisher:

https://www.milwaukeetool.com/Products/ ... rs/2738-20
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Re: How big of a ding in the skin is too big?

Postby Scott Todd » Tue Sep 20, 2022 9:28 am

Where is the ding?
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Re: How big of a ding in the skin is too big?

Postby DCASonex » Tue Sep 20, 2022 9:32 am

If replacing, polish the skin while it is still flat on a table. You can safely bare down on it a bit more and it will polish faster with less effort.

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Re: How big of a ding in the skin is too big?

Postby BradPayne » Tue Sep 20, 2022 9:52 am

Sorry, I should have posted the location. It is just below the top longeron and just behind the second former in the rear fuselage on the left side. Right were everyone entering the airplane is going to look right at it. :( I'll contact support about it.

Thanks for the advise on the poishers. I'll be ordering a new one today.
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Re: How big of a ding in the skin is too big?

Postby jerryhain » Tue Sep 20, 2022 12:04 pm

This is what I use.
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Re: How big of a ding in the skin is too big?

Postby daleandee » Wed Sep 21, 2022 9:41 am

BradPayne wrote:Sorry, I should have posted the location. It is just below the top longeron and just behind the second former in the rear fuselage on the left side. Right were everyone entering the airplane is going to look right at it. :( I'll contact support about it.

Thanks for the advise on the poishers. I'll be ordering a new one today.


If the spot is where I think it is, that may be a good place to put the aircraft identification plate with a doubler on the inside. Just a thought lol.
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Re: How big of a ding in the skin is too big?

Postby flyingbear » Wed Sep 21, 2022 5:33 pm

Yep, looks like no big deal but I think the ID plate is a good idea.
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