Four Star 60 Build...The Saga Begins  
View related threads: (in this forum | in all forums)

Tower Hobbies
Enter up to 4 keywords or Tower stock numbers
Logged in as Guest



Users viewing this topic: none
  Printable Version
       


35% Wild Hare Sukhoi/DA-100 RTF - RTF
Seller:  somethnextra
Details:   $3,900.00   |  10/1/2008   |  Classified Ad
We will rotate YOUR AD in this spot if you select "Forum Featured" when placing or editing your ad!

All Forums >> RC Airplanes >> Beginners >> Four Star 60 Build...The Saga Begins
Page: [1] 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10   next >   >>  

Login
Message << Older Topic   Newer Topic >>
Four Star 60 Build...The Saga Begins - 6/14/2005 12:21:17 AM   
MountaineerFan36


 

Posts: 300
Joined: 3/1/2005
From: Akron, OH, USA
Status: offline 		Well guys here she is. For those of you who have not followed the "Can't find a 4*60" thread I'll give you a quick recap. I basically could not find a 4*60 ARF at Tower (out of stock till mid July) or my LHS and posted the thread. Several people replied and suggested I might try to build a kit. I was (and still am) very nervous about building a kit, but decided to forge ahead and ultimately have something I can really be proud of when I'm done. I have never built a kit before, and am somewhat inept when it comes to anything one might consider "building" or "mechanical" in nature.

I'm really excited to get started and plan on taking things really slow and enjoying the process. My hope is that I learn a lot along the way, and perhaps some of you can learn from the inevitable mistakes that I make!

Anyhow here are some pictures.....Day 1!

Attachments
Click to see fullsize image.
Click for fullsize 		Click to see fullsize image.
Click for fullsize 		Click to see fullsize image.
Click for fullsize 		Click to see fullsize image.
Click for fullsize
       Post #: 1

RE: Four Star 60 Build...The Saga Begins - 6/14/2005 12:30:22 AM   
2slow2matter


 

Posts: 2372
Joined: 8/25/2004
From: Springtown, TX, USA
Status: offline 		What are you doing!?!?!?!?
GET TO BUILDING
I know how excited you must be. Good luck, and ask plenty of questions. I think, however, you'll find the instructions and plans for this kit plenty of information to get you through. Please, though, post pics along the way!
BTW,
forgot to mention before, a flat surface is a must!
I don't know where you plan to build this at--a shop helps, but the kitchen will work as well (if you have an understanding wife!)
For a flat surface, a used, cheap, interior hollow core wooden house door works great. Others have used 3/4 inch MSD board with ceiling tiles glued to the top. The wood is for a flat surface, and the celing tiles are for something to stick your pins into.
Just some ideas.

_____________________________

From a pile of sticks they are born, to a pile of sticks shall they return.

(in reply to MountaineerFan36)
       Post #: 2

RE: Four Star 60 Build...The Saga Begins - 6/14/2005 12:56:11 AM   
Sukhoi_Madness



Posts: 524
Joined: 10/18/2004
From: Wellington, NEW ZEALAND
Status: offline 		YES... Start!!!

You could have finished a wing half in the time it took you to write the first Post...



Pictures Too...

_____________________________

"Climb into the Sky... Never wonder why - Tail Gunner... You're a Tail Gunner..."

(in reply to 2slow2matter)
       Post #: 3

RE: Four Star 60 Build...The Saga Begins - 6/14/2005 1:36:39 AM   
flmlm


 

Posts: 229
Joined: 12/10/2004
From: Holly Hill, FL, USA
Status: offline 		MountaineerFan,

I think this will open a whole new dimension to the RC sport for ya! You can do this, nothing like flying a plane that you've built yourself, the feeling is awesome. Read that manual real good.

Above all else take your time and if there's a step you don't understand, by all means ask on the forum first before proceeding on. This forum is a major help and there's plenty of folks on here that want to see you succeed in this build.

Remember, take your time and enjoy the build as pieces come together. Have a great time with the build and keep us posted.

Regards
Mike

(in reply to Sukhoi_Madness)
       Post #: 4

RE: Four Star 60 Build...The Saga Begins - 6/14/2005 2:01:20 AM   
ICE_MAN



Posts: 2052
Joined: 10/18/2003
From: Paducah, KY, USA
Status: online 		WTG! Building is alot of fun! As stated earlier a flat surface is a must ... And it's great that you bought (what looks like) all you need to finish the kit! You'll find it's 10X easier to complete the kit (or any plane for that matter) when you have ALL you need sitting right there.. Good Luck, Keep us posted

_____________________________

ICE

(in reply to flmlm)
       Post #: 5

RE: Four Star 60 Build...The Saga Begins - 6/14/2005 2:02:33 AM   
Pilot Chad


 

Posts: 2137
Joined: 1/22/2005
From: Madison, AL, USA
Status: online 		What alot of stuff you got there.

In the little bags, I see
Tail Wheel,
T-Pins,
Wheels
Knife blades
Slot magic thing
Extensions,
Spinner,
battery, and
foam rubber,

What's all the other stuff.

Have fun. I finished my whole wing by the second day on the 40





That was over a month ago, last week i had to go back and fix everything i screwed up on. Take your time.

_____________________________

AMA #837611
Joined a club and am happy as can be.

(in reply to flmlm)
       Post #: 6

RE: Four Star 60 Build...The Saga Begins - 6/14/2005 2:11:56 AM   
ScienceisCool


 

Posts: 307
Joined: 9/6/2004
From: Houston, TX, USA
Status: offline 		post lots of pics of the progress... i'm thinking about making my next plane a kit but like you am very nervous. keep us posted and GOOD LUCK!

_____________________________

Of course I know what I'm doing.....

(in reply to Pilot Chad)
       Post #: 7

RE: Four Star 60 Build...The Saga Begins - 6/14/2005 2:57:05 AM   
PCW


 

Posts: 5
Joined: 5/9/2005
From: melbourne, AUSTRALIA
Status: offline 		Good luck on the build MountaineerFan !!!!!!

I picked up a Four star 60 from my LHS last week. Just like you, I am about to start building in the next few days.

Best advice I have had so far is read the instructions around five times before you do anything, then read them again.

I'm lucky I have a friend that has built a 40 and 120 size 4* so he has been very helpful with pre-build info, what I need to get etc.

The one thing he keeps saying like every one on the thread..... GO REAL SLOW and if in doubt, ask the question.

I'm sure you will enjoy the experience and build many more.

(in reply to ScienceisCool)
       Post #: 8

RE: Four Star 60 Build...The Saga Begins - 6/14/2005 4:18:52 AM   
MountaineerFan36


 

Posts: 300
Joined: 3/1/2005
From: Akron, OH, USA
Status: offline 		Here is what I have completed for the night. I feel like I've made progress...this thing actually resembles a wing! I've learned a few things already

1.) It is difficult to make a strait cut on the balsa stick with an exacto knife...might have to look into that scroll saw

2.) CA glue gives me a headache...need better ventilation


None of the ribs or braces are glued in yet...wanted to post these pics to make sure everything looks ok before I glue them in. I think I may have top part of the spar doubler a little long (pic 3)..the brace doesn't seem to fit snug against the rib so I might have to trim that down a bit. Sorry for the poor quality of the pics

One question...when the instructions do not specify what thickness of CA to use...what should I apply. For example in the instructions my next step says "glue all previously positioned pieces".

Attachments
Click to see fullsize image.
Click for fullsize 		Click to see fullsize image.
Click for fullsize 		Click to see fullsize image.
Click for fullsize


< Message edited by MountaineerFan36 -- 6/14/2005 4:23:48 AM >

(in reply to MountaineerFan36)
       Post #: 9

RE: Four Star 60 Build...The Saga Begins - 6/14/2005 4:21:35 AM   
2slow2matter


 

Posts: 2372
Joined: 8/25/2004
From: Springtown, TX, USA
Status: offline 		looks good.
Couple of points:
Exacto makes a small razor saw that comes with a miter box--works great for 90 and 45 degree cuts!
There is an odorless CA, if you need it! Some people absolutely need it.

_____________________________

From a pile of sticks they are born, to a pile of sticks shall they return.

(in reply to MountaineerFan36)
       Post #: 10

RE: Four Star 60 Build...The Saga Begins - 6/14/2005 4:39:21 AM   
carrellh



Posts: 3535
Joined: 3/30/2003
From: Garland, TX, USA
Status: offline 		I cannot tell from the photos... do you have something to keep the wood from being glued to the plans? Wax paper works ok but is not totally transparent. Great planes plan protector works good and is clear. You can also buy clear plastic sheeting in the paint dept of Lowe's or Home Depot. Probably the same material as great planes sells but much cheaper.

The majority of balsa gluing can be done with thin CA. In some cases you tack with thin and fill in with medium or thick.

You might want to download the manual for the Great Planes PT-40 or PT-60 trainer kit. My first kit was a PT-60. The great thing about the manual for these trainers is that they assume you've never built anything before and tell you which glue to use on each part. You can pick up ideas to use on your build.

_____________________________

Regards,
Carrell

(in reply to 2slow2matter)
       Post #: 11

RE: Four Star 60 Build...The Saga Begins - 6/14/2005 4:55:58 AM   
Pilot Chad


 

Posts: 2137
Joined: 1/22/2005
From: Madison, AL, USA
Status: online 		That wing looks good. When they don't specify, i normally use good judgement, (High stress, or low stress) I might br wrong but i think thick CA is stronger, but it takes a bit longer to dry. I used it on the main spars, and ALOT on the fuselage. It just gives that extra tack...

Keep biulding good
Chad

_____________________________

AMA #837611
Joined a club and am happy as can be.

(in reply to carrellh)
       Post #: 12

RE: Four Star 60 Build...The Saga Begins - 6/14/2005 9:03:32 AM   
Vogan


 

Posts: 84
Joined: 5/1/2004
From: Christchurch, NEW ZEALAND
Status: offline 		Welcome to the world of kit building Glad you decided to go with thr kit, in all likelyhood you will have it done before Tower gets the ARF back in

For mine I placed all the pieces as you have done and then went over it with thin CA. Once the wing panel was complete I went back over with medium CA. This is what they say to do in the manual and it works very well.

Good luck with the rest of the build, I found myself having to deliberately take it slowly as it is just so quick.

(in reply to Pilot Chad)
       Post #: 13

RE: Four Star 60 Build...The Saga Begins - 6/14/2005 10:36:48 AM   
Test005



Posts: 1044
Joined: 4/28/2004
From: Ţo, FINLAND
Status: offline 		I built a 4*60 as my first kit.
It's very easy and you can frame it up in a couple of evenings, much less work than I initially thought.

I went from CA to wood glue and like it better.
It's nicer to work with, sandable, no smell and gives you time to position the pieces.

A small trick I used was to apply wood glue to the wood, then I tacked the piece in place with a drop of thin CA.
The CA keeps everything in line and secure while the wood glue cures.

Here's mine: