Fish Scales (Engine Turning)....Floor pan first....Then ?

[planecrazzzy]

Hey Guys,
               I learned something watching one of those shows where they were building a Fire engine....
They said the swirling "Fish Scales" had a purpose....They weren't just done for looks....

The purpose......they HIDE scratches....

I didn't want to put carpet on my floor pan , and it was beginning to get scratched up....

and because I just think "Fish Scaling" looks cool too.... I did it....Here's some pictures , I took them in different stages
so you can see how easy they are to do....

Two "Tips" ....One , I sprayed it with starting fluid , so my sharpie would stick....

( Wiping it with Lacquer thinner works too )

and two , I sprayed it with WD-40 so that the scuff pad wouldn't gum up and start Gauling the aluminum....

( Now , I put WD 40 in a paint cap.... Dip the scuff pad ... Then lift and spin off the excess fluid )

Gotta Fly...
Mike & "Jaz" in MN

[planecrazzzy]

more pics

[planecrazzzy]

mo pics

[planecrazzzy]

I don't want to go CRAZY with these Fish Scales....But my Lift Struts have alot of scratches on them...

I tried to have a smooth shiny finish on them , but they get handled too much , they have to be taken off the plane every time the Wings are folded....

 What "Hides" scratches...... Fish Scales...

[planecrazzzy]

pictures

[alan]

VERY NICE!!!

I believe this is called "Machine Turning".

Alan

[planecrazzzy]

The only machine around is the die grinder w/ scuff pad in my hand....

 I've seen this done with a machine , and it's alot more precise then what I'm doin.... but I don't think these Lift struts
could be done that way.... too much of a hump to go over...

   I've also heard it called "Jeweling" but I think that's on Rifles ect...

                                          Gotta Fly...
                                                          Mike in MN

[KevinC]

that really does look good.  I tried it the other night, but found that the die grinder wanted to make an uneven circle and skip off the work.  In addition, it tended to polish rather than scuff circles.

What am I missing?  There must be some part of the technique that I'm not getting.

Not a metal worker  :oops:  -

Kevin

[planecrazzzy]

Hi Kevin,
            Were you using a "straight" die grinder...... I'm using a 90 degree die grinder....I'll bet it's easier to keep in control.
I just got done finishing my 2nd Lift Strut......Man , what'a bear going over that hump....I got better as I went ( typical )

     maybe , if yours is inline....you could make a 90 degree handle, and clamp it on....( bent flat bar ,  2-Band clamp )

  The "Formula" that "I" used was..... it's a 2inch pad , so I made 1 inch ( plus ) squares....That seems to space it just right.

 Are you using "Scuff pads" or sanding disc...?

                                                       Gotta Fly...
                                                                       Mike in MN

that really does look good.  I tried it the other night, but found that the die grinder wanted to make an uneven circle and skip off the work.  In addition, it tended to polish rather than scuff circles.

What am I missing?  There must be some part of the technique that I'm not getting.

Not a metal worker  :oops:  -

Kevin