Hi Jeff
If you are using the 10 X 12 room for making parts, let me suggest this:
I used Aeropoxy for a lot of small parts. I had a styrofoam box left over from
a different non-aircraft project. I was in an open hangar with temps from
95 (August) to 20 (January).
I had bought a project which was structurally about finished. However I had
a few small parts to make and still will be making another cowling.
I put a small electric heater with a thermostat control inside the box. Set it
to something like 120 degrees. Had a temp probe inside the box and an indoor;
outdoor thermometer where I could check it. Temperature in the box turned
out to be pretty constant but I found that the heat from the fan-driven
heater would melt any of the styrofoam that it hit directly. Had to be careful
where I pointed the heater.
Parts were put in the box and left overnight (really about 16 hours). I made
several parts like that. Then, one day, I had to put one part ON the airplane
on the back of the main spar. (that part holds the oil cooler in place). So
I took the styrofoam box apart, taped it around the area where I needed the
heat, put the part on the spar, held the part in place with clamps (hard to do)
and put the heater in the modified box. Turned the thermostat a little lower,
just in case. Overnight the epoxy set and is now holding an aluminum bracket
which holds the oil cooler in place.
You will be building a canard. I don't think it would be wise to put the canard
in a box with a heater. Check on the curing temperature for the epoxy you
are using AND the ability of the foam to withstand heat before you do any of
this. Remember all of the parts that I was making were non-structural.
Most of the parts had no foam, just glass.
Your canard is structural so you have to get it right. Too much heat can
weaken or ruin it.
Bruce Hughes
