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Dear LL: Uranium and Water levels
Lead is used to balance out the weight of the control surface behind the pivot
with weight ahead. You will need the same amount of weight to do so,
regardless of using Lead or Uranium. Using Uranium will allow that weight to
be a less voluminous mass, as it is denser than lead. The only way to use less
weight is to have the balancing mass further ahead of the pivot: compromises,
compromises, bigger swing radius, beefier support for a longer arm. arm sticks
out of the sleek wing, etc. You might get by with a bit less weight by placing
the smaller Uranium a bit further forward in the available space for the
balance weight. Not a biggie.

Finally, it's a far, far better place to be in by having a tad too much
balance weight after painting, than not enough. A moment of drilling out some
lead is so simple, with a ball of epoxy to seal the hole; then you're
balanced!

Agree that a water level is the way to go. Use a big hose: 3/4" with the 24"
clear end tubings sold in hardware stores. Make sure there are no bubbles.
Index at the bottom of the meniscus. Cap one end with your thumb when moving,
get it close to the level you need and release. The colored water might be
nice, but better to fill it before use with running water and insuring no
bubbles in the line. The egyptians had it right: simple and effective!

Robert Forest
N295P