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ORIGINAL: lez1troubles When you crash your plane and it smashes into 1000 little pieces does that then count as being a kit???

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ORIGINAL: sensei He may now tell you about how he built a Heath Kit radio and receiver, big deal allot of us did that back in the day. Thank god those days are gone. Hey there Kit Builder, did you build this composite fuse? If you ask me, you might be getting a little LAZY because that fuse looks like it was ARF built for you... Bob

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ORIGINAL: GallopingGhostler

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ORIGINAL: sensei He may now tell you about how he built a Heath Kit radio and receiver, big deal allot of us did that back in the day. Thank god those days are gone. Hey there Kit Builder, did you build this composite fuse? If you ask me, you might be getting a little LAZY because that fuse looks like it was ARF built for you... Bob

Um, I didn't build a Heathkit, but I built a Charlies R/C 810 system (kit of Bill Cannon's mini R/C system. Those days served a purpose. Then R/C was expensive. I was a college student and a few evenings with a soldering iron resulted in my first working multi-channel proportional system, and suited for small aircraft, which I flew. ARF's were relatively expensive then. Kits served a purpose, keeping the hobby within budget. Then the cheaper radios appeared, so I bought a Futaba. When AMA changed frequencies to narrow band, then a Hobby Shack Cirrus.

The influx of ARF's with cheaper motors and electrics, mostly from China at costs less than retail kits have again made the hobby affordable. Of course, those who are lacking in building skills now can participate in the hobby, so kudos to them.

Since recently retiring, I have more time on my hands, so I have time to build. Because over time balsa has gotten more expensive, I am experimenting with various materials to reduce the cost of building. One of them is 3/16'' (5 mm) thick poster foamboard, available in most department stores, office supply and art craft shops. Monokote is great stuff, still the premier iron on covering, but a roll costs nearly $15, not including shipping. I'm considering alternates, even purchasing silk from a fabric sales house or may be Doculam. I also have Dave Brown's Skyloft, a silkspan like synthetic, which holds promise.

When overseas labor and importation costs rise, then kits may again make a greater showing.

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ORIGINAL: combatpigg

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ORIGINAL: 378

Let's see here....I suppose the guy that had his arm shot off in Vietnam or Afghanistan shouldn't be getting arfs because he's too lazy to figure out how his prosthetic will help him build? The guy paralyzed in a car crash is lazy because he doesn't park his wheelchair on a huge stand to build? And what about a five year old that's not mature enough to handle hazardous chemicals and hot, sharp tools? How is he lazy, because he didn't mature fast enough for your tastes? Or would you call his parents that have to work two jobs each because the economy is still in shambles just to keep them fed the lazy ones in this case?
Don't need my inbox flooded with more pointless rhetoric. Good day, sirs, and happy flying.

These ''examples'' that are given here are THE definition of pointless rhetoric...[you forgot to include the 1000s of one eyed Eskimos with aids, too]
Subtract these ''examples'' and you are left with millions upon millions of lazy guys who simply choose to spend their free time in front of a TV, video game or a computer instead of standing next to a work bench with their hands [and minds] busy cutting out parts, taking measurements and actually doing something constructive with their time.

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ORIGINAL: sensei If you go on line and google Gator Board, you will find some some great building material in small sizes to 4' X 8' sheets. I have been playing with the stuff now for a couple of years and it is pretty cool to build R/C airplanes with. Bob

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ORIGINAL: GallopingGhostler

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ORIGINAL: sensei If you go on line and google Gator Board, you will find some some great building material in small sizes to 4' X 8' sheets. I have been playing with the stuff now for a couple of years and it is pretty cool to build R/C airplanes with. Bob

Bob, I did a quick Google as you suggested. Yes, such material does have promises. I'm thinking one could go to even bigger projects with stuff like that, may be even .60 powered stuff. Thanks.

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ORIGINAL: jetmech05 I know I might as well be talking to the wall from what I read here but you can turn anything around to your vantange point...I fly giant scale there fore I am more pilot than those that fly smaller planes.

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See where this goes...of course I'm not...I just like a different part of the Hobby.... Kit builders...relax...it's all good...we are all RC'ers

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ORIGINAL: 804

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ORIGINAL: combatpigg

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ORIGINAL: 378

Let's see here....I suppose the guy that had his arm shot off in Vietnam or Afghanistan shouldn't be getting arfs because he's too lazy to figure out how his prosthetic will help him build? The guy paralyzed in a car crash is lazy because he doesn't park his wheelchair on a huge stand to build? And what about a five year old that's not mature enough to handle hazardous chemicals and hot, sharp tools? How is he lazy, because he didn't mature fast enough for your tastes? Or would you call his parents that have to work two jobs each because the economy is still in shambles just to keep them fed the lazy ones in this case?
Don't need my inbox flooded with more pointless rhetoric. Good day, sirs, and happy flying.

These ''examples'' that are given here are THE definition of pointless rhetoric...[you forgot to include the 1000s of one eyed Eskimos with aids, too]
Subtract these ''examples'' and you are left with millions upon millions of lazy guys who simply choose to spend their free time in front of a TV, video game or a computer instead of standing next to a work bench with their hands [and minds] busy cutting out parts, taking measurements and actually doing something constructive with their time.

Millions and millions of people would consider what you like to do to be a complete waste of time, not constructive, not productive,
and your rhetoric the result of a lazy mind.
I would be one of them.

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ORIGINAL: bikerbc

As far as that goes as person should be able to do what he choses with his free time with out being called lazy..If his hobby is TV so be it..If it is building airaplanes thats fine too...If a persontold you you were too lazy too get your butt out and play golf and all you want to do is lazy around the shop and play with toy planes you would not like his opinion...Too each his own..If a person is happy with an ARF and wants to fly why should it bother anybody else ? I am sorry but I just can't understand why there is so much friction between builders and ARF flyers..Are Builders Jellous of how good ARF's look or ARF flyers jellous of how much attention a built plane gets...I learnd a long time ago that there is always going to be sombody with somthing bigger and better so you better be satisfied with what you have otherwize you are never going to be happy...I agree that building is a wonderfull part of the hobby but if its not for you , I can understand..Some people dont like CA fumes or Balsa dust , maybe dont have that interest...

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ORIGINAL: combatpigg

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ORIGINAL: bikerbc

As far as that goes as person should be able to do what he choses with his free time with out being called lazy..If his hobby is TV so be it..If it is building airaplanes thats fine too...If a persontold you you were too lazy too get your butt out and play golf and all you want to do is lazy around the shop and play with toy planes you would not like his opinion...Too each his own..If a person is happy with an ARF and wants to fly why should it bother anybody else ? I am sorry but I just can't understand why there is so much friction between builders and ARF flyers..Are Builders Jellous of how good ARF's look or ARF flyers jellous of how much attention a built plane gets...I learnd a long time ago that there is always going to be sombody with somthing bigger and better so you better be satisfied with what you have otherwize you are never going to be happy...I agree that building is a wonderfull part of the hobby but if its not for you , I can understand..Some people dont like CA fumes or Balsa dust , maybe dont have that interest...

This thread asks why very few people build kits any more. That's all there is to it.
It has nothing to do with being ''bothered'' by anything.
We are all responsible for our own happiness...but that has nothing to do with the PHYSICAL reasons as to why kits aren't being built now.
As for breathing CA fumes and balsa dust....I you aren't clever enough to clear those two hurdles, you are probably better off just watching TV until your ARF gets delivered to your door step..
BTW, when the day comes where I call watching TV a hobby..please shoot me....

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ORIGINAL: combatpigg

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ORIGINAL: 804

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ORIGINAL: combatpigg

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ORIGINAL: 378

Let's see here....I suppose the guy that had his arm shot off in Vietnam or Afghanistan shouldn't be getting arfs because he's too lazy to figure out how his prosthetic will help him build? The guy paralyzed in a car crash is lazy because he doesn't park his wheelchair on a huge stand to build? And what about a five year old that's not mature enough to handle hazardous chemicals and hot, sharp tools? How is he lazy, because he didn't mature fast enough for your tastes? Or would you call his parents that have to work two jobs each because the economy is still in shambles just to keep them fed the lazy ones in this case?
Don't need my inbox flooded with more pointless rhetoric. Good day, sirs, and happy flying.

These ''examples'' that are given here are THE definition of pointless rhetoric...[you forgot to include the 1000s of one eyed Eskimos with aids, too]
Subtract these ''examples'' and you are left with millions upon millions of lazy guys who simply choose to spend their free time in front of a TV, video game or a computer instead of standing next to a work bench with their hands [and minds] busy cutting out parts, taking measurements and actually doing something constructive with their time.

Millions and millions of people would consider what you like to do to be a complete waste of time, not constructive, not productive,
and your rhetoric the result of a lazy mind.
I would be one of them.

Obesity is at unheard of levels and climbing. Along with it are graphic examples of laziness that I see on a daily basis.
The 2 go hand in hand.
So according to you, there is no way that laziness has an impact on why the man of today chooses to not build any more..?
You deny that none of that has spilled over [literally] into this hobby..?
You are right about 1 thing...my primary hobby is running a small homestead / farm / ranch and providing for my own needs and there are millions of lazy slobs who would consider that a complete, non productive waste of their time.

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ORIGINAL: jetmech05

Those that only build...are missing out on some really fine flying aircraft.....like with anything there are trade offs....example the new Hangar 9 35% Edge 300..DA 100 for power plant...is an outstanding flying airplane....one of the best rolling planes I've seen...but as a modeler I don't like the way the lines on the cowling match the rest of the airplane.
Building is building if you enjoy that good for you....flying is flying.....there are those that don't like flying as much...
Like anything change is gonna happen.....comuterized transmitter make you less of a pilot....sort of I guess...but it allows a pilot to do things he couldn't do otherwise...just like full scale does ILS make you less of a pilot...no....it allows you to land in reduced visability...
I know I might as well be talking to the wall from what I read here but you can turn anything around to your vantange point...I fly giant scale there fore I am more pilot than those that fly smaller planes. See where this goes...of course I'm not...I just like a different part of the Hobby....
Kit builders...relax...it's all good...we are all RC'ers

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ORIGINAL: 804
The problem with your theory is that you are taking 2 general trends (the rise of ARFS, and the rise in obesity) and linking them together in a 1 to 1 relationship based on
the mistaken notion that obesity is always or mostly caused by laziness.

Look, use the brain you were born with and understand that ''the man of today'' in his workaday life uses less physical exertion to get things done( efficiency) that the man of the past.
That does not mean modern man is lazy, it just means we work in different ways.
And, ARFS are a more efficient way to utilize a busy man's time to enjoy a pastime.

If you can't put those thought together in your head, and understand how simplistic your reasoning is,
and how insulting it is, then there is nothing more to be said.

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ORIGINAL: sensei

He may now tell you about how he built a Heathkit radio and receiver, big deal allot of us did that back in the day. Thank god those days are gone. Hey there Kit Builder, did you build this composite fuse? If you ask me, you might be getting a little LAZY because that fuse looks like it was ARF built for you...

Bob

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ORIGINAL: Stickbuilder

Well, I guess it's time to stir the pot a little. Those that make excuses for not building are hiding the root cause. Laziness.

Bill, Waco Brother #1

ORIGINAL: combatpigg

I think Stickbuilder's assessment is a generalisation that has a lot of truth behind it.
This generation of Americans is [collectively] the most obese group of folks in the history of mankind.
This is an undisputable fact.
Another undisputable fact is that obesity and laziness go hand in hand. They both work in a vicious circle to feed one another.
The ARF Culture is simply a reflection of this ugly truth.
If you think this observation doesn't apply to you...then good!

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ORIGINAL: fly24-7

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ORIGINAL: Stickbuilder

Well, I guess it's time to stir the pot a little. Those that make excuses for not building are hiding the root cause. Laziness.

Bill, Waco Brother #1

ORIGINAL: combatpigg

I think Stickbuilder's assessment is a generalisation that has a lot of truth behind it.
This generation of Americans is [collectively] the most obese group of folks in the history of mankind.
This is an undisputable fact.
Another undisputable fact is that obesity and laziness go hand in hand. They both work in a vicious circle to feed one another.
The ARF Culture is simply a reflection of this ugly truth.
If you think this observation doesn't apply to you...then good!

Interesting statements from guys who have time to sit in front of their computers and log over 8,000 and 16,000 posts respectively. So there you have it folks. Tomorrow's post apocalyptic headline...

You are officially obese AND lazy if you buy and ARF. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO PICK-UP A TRANSMITTER IF WHAT YOU'RE ABOUT TO FLY DIDN'T ARRIVE AT YOUR HOME AS A PILE OF STICKS.

Boy, you can't fix stupid and now I guess you can't fix ignorant...

BTW, I know a guy who's sitting at home, building all day, collecting government checks instead of trying to find a job. But... I guess he's not lazy because he's building airplanes...