Product Review: Clear Magic Cover
Posted: Sun Oct 30, 2011 2:03 pmWhile reading a builders website (Sonex980 on the forum) I noticed a great suggestion for transfering full scale patterns from the plans to aluminum angle using "transfer tape" and decided to give it a try.
I could not locate transfer tape, but I did find a product called "Magic Cover" by Kittrich at Hobby Lobby. It was designed as a book or document protective cover that will not destroy the object that it sticks to. It has a light adhesive that can be peeled and re-applied. A 9' x 24" roll was $3.99 and a 24' x 24" roll was $9.99.
Step 1: Cut the magic cover material to a rough size.
Step 2: Peel the backing from the adhesive.
Step 3: Apply directly to the plans over a full size pattern.
Step 4: Trace the pattern using a fine point sharpie.
Step 5: Peel the traced pattern off the plans and apply directly to aluminum angle carefully aligning the sharpie marks to the edges.
Step 6: Trim the excess clear material away with an X-acto style knife.
Step 7: Get to work.
Here are the unfinished results of cutting out the upper engine mounts using this method:
I did not have any trouble with the material staying adhered to the aluminum while using the band saw. It did lift slightly (1/16 of an inch or less) around the holes while using the drill press, but not enough to cause any distortion or alignment issues for the other marks.
I was worried about how the sharpie would work with the smooth texture of the material. I did not have much of a smearing issue if I gave a few seconds for each mark to dry. I only had the sharpie to smear once when I was moving the square around tracing the outline.
I could not locate transfer tape, but I did find a product called "Magic Cover" by Kittrich at Hobby Lobby. It was designed as a book or document protective cover that will not destroy the object that it sticks to. It has a light adhesive that can be peeled and re-applied. A 9' x 24" roll was $3.99 and a 24' x 24" roll was $9.99.
Step 1: Cut the magic cover material to a rough size.
Step 2: Peel the backing from the adhesive.
Step 3: Apply directly to the plans over a full size pattern.
Step 4: Trace the pattern using a fine point sharpie.
Step 5: Peel the traced pattern off the plans and apply directly to aluminum angle carefully aligning the sharpie marks to the edges.
Step 6: Trim the excess clear material away with an X-acto style knife.
Step 7: Get to work.
Here are the unfinished results of cutting out the upper engine mounts using this method:
I did not have any trouble with the material staying adhered to the aluminum while using the band saw. It did lift slightly (1/16 of an inch or less) around the holes while using the drill press, but not enough to cause any distortion or alignment issues for the other marks.
I was worried about how the sharpie would work with the smooth texture of the material. I did not have much of a smearing issue if I gave a few seconds for each mark to dry. I only had the sharpie to smear once when I was moving the square around tracing the outline.