Edi Paulo

My Feedback: (11)

Hello guys

Looking to buy from RCM plans, the 1/3 Scala Aeronca Champ from John Marquette and i wonder if you guys know somebody that can laser cut the ribs and fuse formers for me. I already got in touch with PCK and National balsa, and they said no. If anybody have any source and like to share, will be helpful. Thanks

Edi

ByLoudDesign

These guy do a EXCELLENT job on all my kit!!! Have NEVER ha a customer say anything but praise about the quality of materials and the cut. Tell them Charlie sent you their way!!!
http://www.ak-models.com/prolasercutservice.htm

Edi Paulo

My Feedback: (11)

Thanks Charlie, much appreciate.

Edi

Gray Beard

My Feedback: (-1)

I haven't built that plane but before you send your plans in for cutting you may want to go over the plans and measure everything. I cut my own kits but it is a rare thing to ever get a set of plans from RCM or MAN that aren't loaded with minor errors like the ribs aren't drawn correctly. Chances are good that none of the slots are the correct size for the stringers. If the plans say inked by Joe Demarco measure real closely!! He inked for everyone and I don't think he ever used a ruler. No sense sending them in to a laser cutter unless they have been straightened out first. If the cutter has the plans on hand then they have probably gone through them to make sure the sizes are correct.

Edi Paulo

My Feedback: (11)

Thanks For the heads up Gray
Because the wing ribs are all the same, exept the wing tips, i`m thinking in scratch built the whole thing. Thanks Again

Edi

TLH101

My Feedback: (90)

Check the RCU marketplace, I think there is a cowl for that plan for sale.

Edi Paulo

My Feedback: (11)

Thanks, i already bought that cowl with windshield

Gray Beard

My Feedback: (-1)

When I make constant cord wings I make up a set of templates from aluminum sheet or even just 1/8 light ply depending on how many ribs I need to cut. I just sandwich about 10 pieces of wood between the templates and gang cut and sand them to shape. Very easy to do. Just use spray mount glue to glue the paper templates to the wood for the formers, cut outside the lines and then just sand to the inside of the line. It takes me about two hours to cut and sand a kit. Takes me longer to cut the templates from the plans then remove them from the parts after cutting and sanding. I use my heat gun to warm up the glue to remove the templates.

Lone Star Charles

Before I attach a template to a piece of wood, I cover the wood with 2" wide blue painter's tape. Then I spray 3M adhesive to the tape and attach the template over that. Removing the tape from the wood is now very easy - As a matter of fact, you can even re-use the template a few times.

Gray Beard

My Feedback: (-1)

Cool idea. I make copies of most of the templates on my puter so I have a big envelope with the originals plus using the heat gun to remove the ones glued on I can usually use them over too, not always though. For a lot of parts that require 4 or less I also glue the wood sheets together then when they are cut I use the heat gun to get the wood apart. The spray mount glue I buy at the arts and crafts store works for a lot of things. I also buy a three pack of the stick glue that has replaced paste for a lot of the template use.
Cutting and sanding the kit itself is very easy, going over the plans and finding the mistakes takes some time. Usually there are only minor errors in plans but my favorite flying plane from MAN plans is one constant mistake and nothing fits. The finished product flies so well it's worth the swearing to build one. The 80 inch Sukhoi 29. Pain in the butt but worth the effort!!