Kit vrs. ARF in $/hour  
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Kit vrs. ARF in $/hour - 1/2/2002 8:45:03 AM   
tailskid



Posts: 5509
Joined: 11/30/2001
From: Tolleson, AZ, USA
Status: offline 		Many times you hear the expression "It's cheaper to buy an ARF than to build the same plane from a kit".

Yes, and NO! For example, say a "Kit" costs $150 and all the necessary accessories add up to $70. So you have a total purchase of $220.

The ARF version of the same plane is $175.00 and that's all she needs (money-wise).

So the ARF is less expensive? Prove it to my wife!

I've come up with a method of cost/time to justify the kit!!!

Take the cost of the item and divide it by the number of hours needed to complete it. The ARF costs $175 and divided by the number of hours needed to finish it (let's say 20) = $8.75 an hour.

The kit on the other hand cost $220 and will take lets say 80 hours to build and that equals $2.75 an hour (of enjoyment)....

Hey guys, that's my story and I'm sticking with it (because she bought that hook, line and sinker)!!!

Jerry

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Very good Jerry..... - 1/2/2002 9:13:45 AM   
dgrant



Posts: 1075
Joined: 12/3/2001
From: Clovis, CA, USA
Status: offline 		I can see the 33% EXTRA in my future now. I like it. Let's see....I wonder what that would come out to at the per hr. rate?

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Re: Kit vrs. ARF in $/hour - 1/2/2002 9:40:05 AM   
JohnVH



Posts: 14747
Joined: 12/5/2001
From: Lynden, WA, USA
Status: offline 		[QUOTE]Originally posted by tailskid
For example, say a "Kit" costs $150 and all the necessary accessories add up to $70. So you have a total purchase of $220.

The ARF version of the same plane is $175.00 and that's all she needs (money-wise).
[/QUOTE]

Which one are you talking about here?? Lets say a Sig SE costs about what, $80? and the ARF is around $180, thats $100 difference, so what is your time worth? Personally I would buy the arf, but dont know why I ended up buying and building the kit? I guess I know how it was assembled, and I get the honor of flying something that I built, love to get compliments on stuff like that.

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In one case maybe.... - 1/4/2002 6:24:41 AM   
tailskid



Posts: 5509
Joined: 11/30/2001
From: Tolleson, AZ, USA
Status: offline 		Ya got me on that ONE John, but let's look at a few more...

TH's Trainer .40 Kit $55; ARF $99
TH's Kaos . 40 Kit $65; ARF $109
GP's Easy Sport .40 Kit $70; ARF $120
GP's Dazzler .40 Kit $60 ARF $150
GP's Slow Poke .40 Kit $70 ARF $150

As you can see most of the kits + accessories should be very close or even more than the ARF's. What Sig is doing with the price of the ARF may require some thought....

Jerry

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kits vs. arf - 1/6/2002 12:39:31 AM   
irad8u


 

Posts: 32
Joined: 12/29/2001
From: Charleston, MS
Status: offline 		Most of the kits do end up costing more than any arf. But... An experienced flyer likes to put things to scale or use his own style. example: I had an arf pt 40 when i started flying; well, after a few "rough" landings, some of the simple wood that comes in an arf and the glued joints come apart or breaks free. On my pt 40, the firewall broke in half. I had to replace it with stronger wood. Now, when doing a kit, i can immediately use the template from the firewall lite ply to make a sturdy firewall. also, i can reinforce joints that i can't get to when using an arf. I like to personalize my planes anyways.

it's all in how hard you want to work. and what you have the patience for and if you like to put things together. That's why it's a "HOBBY."

MIKE

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Kit vrs. ARF in $/hour - 1/6/2002 1:39:32 AM   
Dave Barrow-RCU



Posts: 406
Joined: 12/9/2001
From: Covington Ky 41015
Status: offline 		Impossible to compare, like Apples And oranges. Even if the cost is exactly the same. Two different kind of enthuists. Some enjoy building there own planes, and get very much satisfaction from it. Some enjoy the flying aspect only, and do not like to build. I have built a lot of kits in the 17 years I've been in the hobby, I have also had a handfull of ARF's. I have enjoyed flying both types, but get a little extra kick out of seeing something I crafted with my own hands fly. I do not get to fly as much in the winter, and get a lot of enjoyment building with summer flying friends.

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Kit vrs. ARF in $/hour - 1/6/2002 11:24:38 AM   
Jester


 

Posts: 16
Joined: 12/20/2001
From: Long Beach, CA, USA
Status: offline 		Yep ARFs do cost less than kits. But the kits I built just seem to fly better than the ARFs. Why is that?

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Kit vrs. ARF in $/hour - 1/6/2002 11:25:41 AM   
JohnVH



Posts: 14747
Joined: 12/5/2001
From: Lynden, WA, USA
Status: offline 		[QUOTE]Originally posted by Jester
Yep ARFs do cost less than kits. But the kits I built just seem to fly better than the ARFs. Why is that? [/QUOTE]

because you know its built better, USUALLY !!!

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Quality control! - 1/6/2002 9:41:40 PM   
tailskid



Posts: 5509
Joined: 11/30/2001
From: Tolleson, AZ, USA
Status: offline 		The problem with all the ARF's I've come into contact with is that they are built overseas whereas the kit come from the manufacturer - who oversees the kit line and can reject inferior wood. Maybe not all the time, but most of the time anyway.

ARF's on the other hand are under a supervisor 'over there' who isn't the "manufacturer" here in the states. Plus, when the ARF's are 'accepted' by the manufacturer (who goes over there and does the QC), what's done is already done and in many cases, the plane(s) are finished. So if it is heavier he probably won't catch it.

I pity the mfg. here who put their name on the ARF and really don't have the control they would like. To get that control, they (the mfg.) would have to move over there - ugh! - and not too many would be willing to do that I'm sure.

Plus don't forget the glue they use is meant for mass production, not just one (like you and me), now add the wood - it's a pot luck. I've had ARF's that balanced right on the money, same kit, engine etc. from someone else and it need 4 oz. of lead to balance it....just pot luck!!!

Jerry

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Kit vrs. ARF in $/hour - 1/6/2002 11:23:39 PM   
Kitbasher


 

Posts: 159
Joined: 1/6/2002
From: Palmetto, GA, USA
Status: offline 		Bought my first ARF just can't get interested in it as a kit .

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Kit vrs. ARF in $/hour - 1/7/2002 6:26:10 AM   
tailskid



Posts: 5509
Joined: 11/30/2001
From: Tolleson, AZ, USA
Status: offline 		Kitbasher,

Why not? What ARF was it?

Jerry

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Kit vrs. ARF in $/hour - 1/7/2002 7:12:23 AM   
Kitbasher


 

Posts: 159
Joined: 1/6/2002
From: Palmetto, GA, USA
Status: offline 		Kyosho P-51D is the ARF ,but it just feels like I will be cheeting on my real models with that easy ****.

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Kit vrs. ARF in $/hour - 1/7/2002 11:03:48 AM   
danmilo


 

Posts: 203
Joined: 12/27/2001
From: Salem, OR, USA
Status: offline 		I just have a hard time allowing for the time a kit takes now a days. I probably built seven kits, some 1/4 scale. I purchased a few ARF's and sold them without building.

Seems I have the most fun rebuilding used built kit models purchased at swap meets, etc. This gives me some time to craft some changes, adapt for float flying as an example, improve the plane while doing so for a lot less time.

Dan

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Kit vrs. ARF in $/hour - 1/7/2002 9:49:01 PM   
TopShelf



Posts: 648
Joined: 12/6/2001
From: West Linn, OR, USA
Status: offline 		Kits may ultimately cost more but just a little at a time. For me, it's a cash flow issue. I can start with a small investment and add a little at a time. I rarely have a large block of cash to purchase arfs with.

Kent

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ARF vs Kit - 1/7/2002 10:06:47 PM   
ec121k


 

Posts: 255
Joined: 12/27/2001
From: Conestoga, PA, USA
Status: offline 		I have to agree that the ARF's for the most part will be cheaper to acquire. I did this last year with a CAP 232 from SuperKraft/Kangke.

Like the man said: Apples to oranges.

ARF

1. Any color you want as long as it's available out of the box.
2. Hardware provided is sometimes OK for the job. I changed all the hinges, pushrods and several of the metric bolts. Also the axles and wheels. Will also be changing the T/W assembly.
3. Shrink wrapped only. (I like dope and fabric (Coverall) and that opens up a bunch of colors including custom mixed. I do use Coverite fabric sometimes but not the sandwich wrap.)
4. If you don't like a piece of wood or method of construction in a kit, change it. No big deal. You are the "prime contracter." You live with what the underpaid Chinese use in ARF's.
5. Get in the air in a hurry with the ARF but I personally don't have alot of respect for it. Or the self satisfaction that comes with one I built.

Need I go on?

Tony

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Kit vrs. ARF in $/hour - 1/11/2002 4:49:12 AM   
James Goss



Posts: 181
Joined: 12/22/2001
From: Talladega, Alabama
Status: offline 		No doubt I work for about 15 cents/hour labor while building a kit. I did work for 10 cents/hr, but I gave myself a cost of living raise. I have got to be doing something with my time so I choose to build RC kits. James Goss

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