cleaner1

My Feedback: (3)

What saw/s do you prefer to use to build your kits with? What are necessary tools for kit building? Thanks in advance for your help.

carrellh

Kit building doesn't usually require a lot of sawing. Usually just small sticks, so a hand saw might be all you need.
I like this Miter Saw http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXG875&P=0 quite a bit.
This type http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXJKU8&P=0 is also good.

If you start building from plans, or scratch building your own designs, you'll probably want to get a scroll saw and/or band saw. I have both and rarely use either. I've ruined a firewall on one kit and had to make a new one. The band saw helped in that case.


* * * Edit * * * Here is a beginning list of tools. Others will add more...
Flat building surface
Hobby Knife Handle and lots of #11 Blades
X-Acto (or similar) Building Square
T-Pins or other way to hold parts in position on the building surface
Waxed Paper or clear plastic to protect the plans
Masking Tape
Electric Power Drill and drill bits from 1/16 to 17/64
Pliers
Scissors
Straightedge
String
Screwdrivers (Phillips and Flat Blade)
Bar Sander or Sanding Block and Sandpaper
Covering Sealing Iron and heat gun

MinnFlyer

My Feedback: (4)

Ditto

A Razor Saw is what you want. I have one similar to the second one that Carrel linked to, but I don't have the box, just the saw

ARUP

Zona razor saw, Japanese pull (flush cut) saw, band saw and I absolutely love my Microlux table saw. Did I say how much I love my Microlux table saw? I might experiment with a router table for free hand cutting of parts.

frenchie79

Need I say more-finest tool in the shop?

Alex7403

I'm using this saw http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXLH60&P=RF
I think its the best, very useful and very handy.

rcuman

I have built from plans,kits, and ARFs. Here are my preferences.

Plan Building- I use a scroll saw the most for cutting out parts firewall, fuse sections, etc. I use the band saw for cutting long sheets and sticks since it is not really made for cutting fuse pieces and the like. It is possible but easier if you have a scroll saw.
A Dremel tool is a must have especially with the 90 dgree elbow and flex extension. I actually have two of these since I am too lazy to switch between the flex extension and the 90 degree extension.

Kit Building- Scroll saw 5% of the time used, band saw 5% of the time used, Dremel 90% of the time used.

ARFs- Dremel is usually the only tool I use if even needed.

In my experience you can build a kit with a Dremel or a hand saw. If you are on a tight budget go for the Dremel. You will get more bang for the buck.

mclina

The Zona razor saw is one of my favorite tools. That and the Great Planes sanding bar do the bulk of my cutting and shaping when I build kits.

Kits really don't require a lot of tools. Plenty of pins and clamps, some barbell weights, and a nice flat surface are pretty much all you need.

Good luck

Campgems

Ihavethe razor saws, scroll saw, band saw, Fordom flex shafts, you name it. One saw though get's a lot of workout when I'm into some fine work, and that my Jewelers saw. Some 5/0 blades, get a couple dozen, they break easilly, will let you cut with minimual tearing of the wood, and the little guys are also micro hack saws. They will cut mild steel pushrods with little effort. You can go up and down on blade size, 2/0 is about a course as you will need, but the 8/0 and 9/0 come in handy for cutting stuff like brass fuel line tubing and thin sheet aluminum.

Don.

Gray Beard

My Feedback: (-1)

Kit building I just use the razor saw. I use my scroll saw for cutting my own kits from plans and templates. I pretty much have everything you can think of either in my own shop or I belong to a wood working club and have all the high end machines there. I even cut my own hard wood stringers in all sizes these days.