Articulated Wing Framework

Step 4 Hinge prep

There are 2 kinds of hinges you'll be making, and depending on your hardware, you probably need different size holes for them. For the balsa/balsa hinges, you'll be using the nylon spacers (L), and for the balsa/dowel hinges, you'll be using nylon spacers (M). You'll glue the spacers into the balsa pieces, for strength at the stress points.

The balsa/balsa hinges are those at the tops of each of the bone segments, and the middle holes on the two bones X and Y (see the pic on the previous step). These take the spacers (L). All the lower holes on all 3 pieces are balsa/dowel hinges, and these take the spacers (M).

If you have drill bits corresponding to the outer diameter of the spacers, drill out these holes centered on the pilot holes. If you don't have drill bits, it's easy to carve them with the Xacto knife - just trace around one of the spacers, centered on the pilot hole, and gently slice along the lines. It's better if the holes are a tiny bit small than too big.

Using the wood glue, glue the spacers into the holes. This is a bit annoying because you want a tight fit, but a tight fit squishes the glue out. Do what you can. Let the glue dry thoroughly.

UPDATE: use epoxy, and spread it on thick! The wood glue turned out not to be strong enough, and several of these plastic sleeves popped out the first night I wore the wings out.