Great Planes Spirit 2-Meter Sailplane Kit - GPMA0530 - Manual (Page 8)

D 6. Remove the elevator and draw a center line down its
leading edge. Use your sanding block to sand the same V-
shape as you did on the rudder. The trailing edge should also
be sanded to a smooth rounded shape.
D 2. Draw accurate centerlines down the trailing edge of
the stab and the fin. Cut the hinge slots on these lines using
a hobby knife or a slotting fork and slotting hook. (The
recommended hinge slotting technique is listed below).
CUT THE HINGE SLOTS (Do not glue)
NOTE: One-piece molded polypropylene hinges
are supplied in this kit. If you choose to use these
hinges or the "pinned"-type hinges, you may cut
the hinge slots at this time. However, if you choose
to use the one-piece hinges that are paper covered
for CA glue installation, you may wait until after
covering before cutting the hinge slots.
D 1. Lay the rudder and elevators on the plan and mark
the hinge locations. Place the rudder against the fin TE and
transfer the marks over to the fin. Place the elevator against
the stab TE and transfer the marks over to the stab.
CAUTION!!!: You must use extreme care when
cutting hinge slots with a hobby knife, to avoid
cutting yourself! If the balsa part breaks while you
are pushing on the knife, the blade could go into
your hand before you know it! A good precaution is
to wear leather gloves while performing the follow-
ing steps.
A. Begin by carefully cutting a very shallow slit at
the hinge location. This first cut is to establish your cut
in the right place, so concentrate on staying on the
centerline and don't cut too deep!
B. Make three or four more cuts in the same line,
going slightly deeper each time. As you make these
additional cuts, work on going straight into the wood.
Continue this process while "wiggling" the knife
handle forward and backward until the blade has reached
the proper depth for the hinge.
C. Trial fit the hinge into the slot. If the hinge is
difficult to push in, re-insert the knife and move it back
and forth in the slot a few times to enlarge the slot.
D 3. IMPORTANT! Condition or "break-in" the
hinges by folding them back and forth several times.
D 4. Insert the hinges into the slots and trial fit the rudder
and elevator in place on the fin and stab. Do not glue the
hinges until after you have covered the model.
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