Why does it take so long and so frustrating...

Why does it take so long and so frustrating...
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Why does it take so long and so frustrating... - 5/24/2003 2:15:12 AM

hawkrider

Posts: 94
Joined: 11/17/2002
From: Richmond, VA, USA
Status: offline

4 * 40 Of course I am (bashing) the kit which doesn't help it go together any faster... BUT...dropping small parts, installing the tank with the engine mounted sideways so the built up balsa cowl with look good...at least on one side... pulling the fuel lines through the hole in the firewall... putting the tail feather together and checking the strength of the vertical stab...cheap flimsy wood... had to cut another vs but not until I had to glue two pieces of balsa together to make it wide enough... installing the CA hinges was a pain, push push push cut cut cut..finally fits... horzontal stab, installed the CA hinges...went better used a wider blade...ooooops forgot to install piano wire that connects the two elevators, had to modify that by cutting a channel and using landing gear hold down plates...

PLEASE GOD DON'T LET ME CRASH THIS ONE....

Post #: 1

Why does it take so long and so frustrating... - 5/24/2003 3:20:13 AM

FLYBOY

Posts: 8692
Joined: 1/7/2002
From: Missoula, MT, USA
Status: offline

Must be fairly new? The right tools makes all the diff in the world. A hinge slot machine is huge help. I used to hate hinge cutting. Now it is like a 5 minute job. Cutting shapes, band saw is huge help, and a good table top sander is good too. Haven't used my dremel sander in years, but that was good before I got the big one.

Forgot the music wire between the elevators, instead of going back and tearing things up, use a split pushrod to control it with a horn on each elevator. Saves lots of time in your situation.

I know, you already did that, but figured for the next one, it would help.

Lots of tricks to make building faster and nicer. Turn up the tunes and enjoy it. Can be very relaxing.

_____________________________

Fly it till the wings come off.

(in reply to hawkrider)

Post #: 2

Why does it take so long and so frustrating... - 5/24/2003 3:35:37 AM

hawkrider

Posts: 94
Joined: 11/17/2002
From: Richmond, VA, USA
Status: offline

Yep only been flying for just shy of one year... First plane was back in 1987 88ish... PT 40 first kit... didn't fly again for many many many years... yep just about a year ago.... built a US Aircor Colt 40...not the same as a balsa kit... Started out with a superstar select to learn on...only took half an hour to build that bad boy...it was great...but grew out of the plane real quick...I have the GP flight simulator and tear up the cyber skies... Bought a ultra stick 40...already built just had to add the radio gear...nice and easy...flew great... I could fly that baby like there was no tomorrow...lost it by flying too far out of range...never got it back... just finished a Magic 3d ARF...that took quite some time to finish building as well... just impatient I guess...finally got that puppy in the air...flew great...could fly that thing like there was no tomorrow... tried to hover..cause my buddy can do it real good...went over on it's back...went inverted...dumb thumb...straight into the ground...... Now I'm building the 4*40 and trying to make it look pretty...I'm going to post some pics of it as soon as I'm done with it...and hope someone likes it.... I have a waco 30 to build to...ARF...thank god for ARFs...or is it ARC Almost Ready to Crash...in my case.... HAH...

Thanks for the post....

(in reply to hawkrider)

Post #: 3

Why does it take so long and so frustrating... - 5/24/2003 8:02:37 AM

Taildrager

Posts: 921
Joined: 12/5/2001
From: Oregon, IL, USA
Status: offline

I have found that using 2 building boards, one for the wings & one for the fuse takes a lot of the frustration out of building. When I get tired of building on one or get stuck on the best way to do something I go to the other board. Some days I will not even lift a finger at building while I think out a problem. I find that doing a search of the plane I am building will many times make building much easier as someone has usually solved the problems you will face.

(in reply to hawkrider)

Post #: 4

Why does it take so long and so frustrating... - 5/24/2003 8:34:18 AM

Crash_N_Burn

Posts: 535
Joined: 3/29/2002
From: d, AL,
Status: offline

hawkrider, kits sometimes make ARFs look very attractive.

Lotsa work, lotsa challenges, lotsa time.

But, it's an investment. You Know the plane, know how to repair it, you are generally one with it.

You can do what you want with it....mod It...reinforce it...cover it the way you wish...what could be better?

I think when you're all done and it flies, you'll be looking for another kit.....

....Kits are the other half of the hobby.

_____________________________

-dave-

(in reply to hawkrider)

Post #: 5

hard...or level of difficulty - 5/24/2003 9:01:21 AM

ablaker2

Posts: 7
Joined: 5/24/2003
From: Port St. Lucie , FL, USA
Status: offline

Hawkrider.
Long and hard are simply division of time...the more time something takes the more it is impressed on your mind. Like everythinig else,,,usually there is an easier way to do it. If you fall in love with building as I have, it becomes almost an obession to figure out the easy or to simplify a hard job...
Currently I am adding a rivet patteren to 1/3 scale cub floats and there are a lot of them...At one time I would have used small dowel and cut them off with one rounded end and I have done that many time...but the easy way to do it if you have irregualr patterns is to lay them out with a pencil and put a drop of elmers glue on the craft and let it dry...when painted it looks like a rivet head...
I have a wee bit of experience and if I can help in any way feel free to ask. I don't know it all and am still learning but after 40 + years..I am sure I can help you find a solution...
Ole Blake enjoys helping..I am more of a builder then a flyer..but enjoy both..
Visit at http://walston-engin-new-ity.net.
Happy Landings

Blake

_____________________________

If I can help,,,email me.
Blake Walston

(in reply to hawkrider)

Post #: 6

Why does it take so long and so frustrating... - 5/24/2003 9:07:58 AM

iflircaircraft

Posts: 405
Joined: 7/23/2002
From: Phillipsburg, NJ, USA
Status: offline

hawkrider:
Just a suggestion, and I know it's too late now, but try building when you have anothrer one to fly.
This takes the pressure off and you can take your time.
Tom

(in reply to hawkrider)

Post #: 7

Why does it take so long and so frustrating... - 5/24/2003 4:06:33 PM

hawkrider

Posts: 94
Joined: 11/17/2002
From: Richmond, VA, USA
Status: offline

Sounds good, I apprecitate the words of encouragement... When I started building the 4*40 the buddy I have that has been flying and building for many years...and is retired can build all day every day... suggested flaps/ailerons in the wing so I can program crow in my computer xmiter... Of course I had to do a ton of extra stuff so I could fit four servos in the wing...then...of course he suggested I use a 25 pin DB connector in the wing and the fuse so all I had to do was pop the wing DB connector into the fuse DB connector instead of connecting each individual servo lead to the receiver... takes a lot of time soldering each pin 12 male 12 female but it's done... I even tried the female plug onto the male plug and...wala..the servos work... I took all dihedral out of the wing made it flat better aerobatics... I agree with you iflircaircraft, I had the Magic 3d ready and flying...then dumb thumb crash and burn... the fellas at the field said it would only take a little while to fix it... YEA RIGHT...and monkeys might fly... I decided to attempt to finish the 4*40 then go back to the magic...
In the mean time I did buy a Rearwin Speedster already built...all I have to do is put a battery in..and a 36 crystal and she is ready to fly...I got the plane with everything including a Zenoah G23 for 450 bucks... So for now I had another ARC... I do have a GP RV4 in a box ready to start building...it has the flaps/ailerons built in...all I have to do is follow the directions to the "T" and I should be able to bulid it quicker...The other problem I have is fixing the screw ups I make when building...

(in reply to hawkrider)

Post #: 8

Why does it take so long and so frustrating... - 7/15/2003 8:52:28 AM

SpaceCase

Posts: 299
Joined: 8/18/2002
From: norwich, VT, USA
Status: offline

Blue foam and pins! or an arf. Just got a arf because like you said I hope I dont crash this one. Its great to build your own and Iv built like 8 so far but if you crash one of those, oh I didnt want to stress you out. Should be great.

(in reply to hawkrider)

Post #: 9

Why does it take so long and so frustrating... - 7/15/2003 9:30:15 AM

William Robison

Posts: 20269
Joined: 11/10/2002
From: Mary Esther, Florida, FL, USA
Status: offline

Hey all:

I build kits, I build from plans, and I scratch build. These are the three levels of model aircraft building.

I do not build ARFs. They are built when I get them. All I have to do is asemble the thing.

Point of this? When I turn an ARF into a pile of weak toothpicks the only thing I feel is a loss of money. There is no soul in the assembly of it.

Building any plane, whether it's scratch, kit, or someone else's plan takes an effort of mind and body, there will always be a part of you in the airplane.

That's something checkbook fliers will never know. Or appreciate. Or enjoy.

Bill.

_____________________________

Real Airplanes have Two Engines
AMA 25139 - More than 40 years.

(in reply to hawkrider)

Post #: 10

Finally finished my 4 star 40 - 7/15/2003 2:33:27 PM

hawkrider

Posts: 94
Joined: 11/17/2002
From: Richmond, VA, USA
Status: offline

Bashed the heck out of it and it still flys...

tried adding a picture but it has to be about the size of a freakin pin head....

(in reply to hawkrider)

Post #: 11

Why does it take so long and so frustrating... - 7/15/2003 8:50:46 PM

*Crash*Johnson*

Posts: 1089
Joined: 4/12/2003
From: Here, NJ, USA
Status: offline

[QUOTE]Originally posted by William Robison

That's something checkbook fliers will never know. Or appreciate. Or enjoy.

Bill. [/QUOTE]

Keep that under your hat Bill, those SPAD people will strap an engine to ANYTHING!

_____________________________

Signature strike.

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Post #: 12

Why does it take so long and so frustrating... - 7/15/2003 10:34:16 PM

Jim_McIntyre

Posts: 2078
Joined: 4/5/2002
From: Claremont, ON, CANADA
Status: offline

[QUOTE]Originally posted by *Crash*Johnson*
Keep that under your hat Bill, those SPAD people will strap an engine to ANYTHING! [/QUOTE]

Careful, don't say anything bad about SPAD or the 'cult of congealed petroleum' generation will get this thread closed too... :

-----------

Back on topic:

Patience, or at least the lack of it, is the enemy. Taking the time to plan things out correctly can make building a very enjoyable and rewarding pastime. The key for me is to be sure you have something to fly and room to repair it without disturbing your current build.

_____________________________

http://scalebuilder.org

(in reply to hawkrider)

Post #: 13

Why does it take so long and so frustrating... - 7/15/2003 10:43:10 PM

William Robison

Posts: 20269
Joined: 11/10/2002
From: Mary Esther, Florida, FL, USA
Status: offline

Jim:

quote:

Originally posted by *Crash*Johnson*
Keep that under your hat Bill, those SPAD people will strap an engine to ANYTHING!

Now if we take your hardbody guitar witha G-62, strap a rotor of about 900mm diameter and put the tail rotor gearbox back beside the tuning machines...

Yes, s