Okay, so long story short, I used a cut down Valor and an “open box/damaged box” glomex RA300AIS for two of my ongoing ESB bladed projects.
I cut 9-11 mm collars from 1-2 mm aluminum tubing. Fit by sliding the pipe down until it gets stuck… then cutting a little further.
Then I used aluminum (pre drilled for 6-7mm inside) to fill the inside. Had to taper it by hand on a drill press… then bore it out for 8mm or 5/16
Anyway, I also used loctite crack filler to fill the blade with expanding foam so
something is in there, since the old ones had duroplast. This helps create a vacuum seal around your tang, to couple with the grub screws.
Today I used that Chinese fabric and Super 77 adhesive spray to coat them. I nailed it.
Essentially I got exact measurements for the circumference by wrapping painters tape around the top and bottom, marking and cutting with scissors (good ones)
Then I found the center and put them aligned on the fabric. I used a ruler to connect the corners and connect the centers. Boom, now you have a 2D map of the blade, and a line to place the antenna when you’re ready.
I sprayed the fabric, and held the blade to spray it (painters tape wrapped collars) and once it was tacky, I laid it down. I had to peel back both ends and pull them tight and re-lay the fabric, which was really good, the center glue held it. I added painters tape tabs on each end beforehand… I foresaw having to adjust it.
Little wrinkles are screen accurate. It’s even a little stretchy!
