Foamboard Aircraft Tailwheel Assembly – 20mm
$1.70 Foamboard Aircraft Tailwheel Assembly – 20mm
3D
Published 2019-10-02T18:35:12+00:00
A 3D printable tailwheel assembly with a 20mm (~3/4 inch) wheel to provide accurate ground steering for a mid-size profile model aircraft with a wingspan of 1 to 1.5 meters (~39” to 60”), built from foam boards, carboard and balsa. It is designed to be mounted to an ~8mm (~5/16”) thick rudder.
The part can be easily 3D printed, without any support, on a modern inexpensive 3D Printer. It can be printed with a variety of materials, including PLA, PETG, ABS and many other types of printable materials.
PLA works well for this application. Unless the model with the part is exposed to temperatures exceeding ~55 C (~ 130 F), such as a parked car in the summer. Then it should be printed with a more heat tolerant material such as ABS or PETG.
I have successfully used this tailwheel assembly on my models since early 2019.
Recommended print settings with a .4 mm nozzle:
Tailwheel
- Layer Hight: .150 ~.160 mm, depending on motors and gearing
- 2 perimeters or shells (~0.9 mm)
- 6 bottom layers (~0.9 mm)
- 6 top layers (~0.9 mm)
- Infill 15%~20%, depending on infill type
Tailwheel Fork
- Layer Hight: .150 ~.160 mm, depending on motors and gearing
- 3 perimeters or shells (1.2 ~ 1.5 mm)
- 8 bottom layers (1.2 ~ 1.3 mm)
- 8 top layers (1.2 ~ 1.3 mm)
- Infill 20~30%, depending on infill type
Additional items needed for assembly
- 1 M2x16 screw to mount the tailwheel
- 1 M2 nut
- 2 M2 flat washers (optional)
- Medium CA or another suitable adhesive
Assembly Instructions
I recommend using medium CA, with or without accelerator, to glue the assembly to the model. However, feel free to use any other suitable adhesives you are comfortable with.
Tailwheel Assembly
1 - The tailwheel is mounted in the tailwheel fork with the M2x16 screw.
2 - First partially insert the M2 screw into one of the pre-threaded M2 holes located on the fork, to the point where it protrudes just past the inside of the fork.
3 - Optional - Install one M2 flat washer between the inside wall of the fork and the wheel.
4 - Install the wheel.
5 - Optional - Install another M2 flat washer on the other side of the wheel
6 - Continue tightening the M2 screw into the pre-threaded hole on the other side of the fork, to the point where it is just tight enough to prevent play but allows the wheel to turn freely.
7 - Secure the screw with the M2 nut. Only apply enough torque to the nut to seat it properly. DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN!
8 - Apply 1 drop of CA glue to the end of the M2 screw to prevent the M2 nut from loosening.
Notes: To assist holding the parts in place during assembly, partially tighten the M2 screw after steps 3, 4, and 5.
The optional M2 flat washers are used to reduce potential friction between the wheel and the fork. I tried tailwheel assemblies both with and without the washers. Since I do not taxi my model aircrafts very far, it did not seem to matter much. “Your mileage may vary!”
| Date published | 02/10/2019 |
| Price | $1.70 |
| Tempo per farlo | 20 - 60 Minuti |
| Quantità di filamento | Wheel: 1.9 grams - Fork: 3.2 grams |
| Dimensioni | Wheel: 20x20x8 mm - Fork: 39x14x18 mm |
| Supporto Gratuito | YES |