Easy Foamboard Fuselage Tubes

by ExAir | May 18, 2012 | (35) Posted in Tips

Here is an easy way to construct tubular fuselage sections from inexpensive Dollar Tree (Readi-Board) foamboard, hot glue, and packing tape.  They can be in diameters from 1 1/2" to 5", in square or rectangular cross sections, straight or tapered.  They are logically manufactured in 30" long sections but are easily joined.

 The actual "How-To" part starts at 3:20 in the video.  Also see links in this video to associated videos about different method of making the lap joint for the fuselage tube with Gorilla Glue (slower but easier and more precise in outcome) as well as variations on the tube design (tapers, rectangular cross sections, etc.).

This fuselage tube makes a great companion to the Armin Wing airfoil design

- Find this article & others like it at www.FliteTest.com -

COMMENTS

DonSaleh on May 21, 2012
Yesterday i watched all your videos, amazing ideas and so simple to do, thanks for sharing !
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Bollie on May 19, 2012
The stuff you make out of foam board is amazing, great ideas that I can use now too - thanks for the tips, awesome!
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Mirabile Visu on June 6, 2012
Brilliant, keep up the very original ideas, and thank you for sharing.
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Oliverjenkins on March 17, 2013
I love it! Do more cool stuff.
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majik53 on April 3, 2013
I just had a thought.. what if we marry the techniques shown here with Flite Test's idea of A- or B-style folds to make the tubes? It would increase rigidity, is easier to join the seam; cleaner lines, more precise measurements... What do you think?
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majik53 on April 3, 2013
For example, a tube that would have two 50% scores the width of the foamboard for each folded edge. Folded backwards on those scores, and the foam removed. Then glued as desired to the preferred folded style, A or B.
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ExAir

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Easy Foamboard Fuselage Tubes