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How big of a ding in the skin is too big?
Posted:
Mon Sep 19, 2022 11:41 pmby BradPayne
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.
Re: How big of a ding in the skin is too big?
Posted:
Tue Sep 20, 2022 1:19 amby GraemeSmith
I use one of these:
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B004W1WGICAll the power and speeds you will need with a nice soft start.
Re: How big of a ding in the skin is too big?
Posted:
Tue Sep 20, 2022 7:28 amby GordonTurner
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
Re: How big of a ding in the skin is too big?
Posted:
Tue Sep 20, 2022 8:56 amby jolson
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
Re: How big of a ding in the skin is too big?
Posted:
Tue Sep 20, 2022 9:28 amby Scott Todd
Where is the ding?
Re: How big of a ding in the skin is too big?
Posted:
Tue Sep 20, 2022 9:32 amby DCASonex
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.
David A.
Re: How big of a ding in the skin is too big?
Posted:
Tue Sep 20, 2022 9:52 amby BradPayne
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.
Re: How big of a ding in the skin is too big?
Posted:
Tue Sep 20, 2022 12:04 pmby jerryhain
This is what I use.
Re: How big of a ding in the skin is too big?
Posted:
Wed Sep 21, 2022 9:41 amby daleandee
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.
Re: How big of a ding in the skin is too big?
Posted:
Wed Sep 21, 2022 5:33 pmby flyingbear
Yep, looks like no big deal but I think the ID plate is a good idea.