Thubner

Can anyone tell me if there is a jig made to maintain alignment of scratch build fuselages. I always seem to be off several degrees instead of the fuselage being square. Your help would save me some hairy first flights.

Chad Veich

My Feedback: (60)

How is the fuselage constructed? On a basic box, a crutch, or some other method? Each may require a very different type of jig from the other. It's generally not too much work to construct some sort of simple jig tailored to fit a particular airplane that can be discarded after construction. I build on glass and tend to build simple fixtures that can be tack glued directly to the surface to hold everything in alignment while framing up the basic structure.

ETpilot

Here is an article on a fuselage jig. It will give you an idea on what you may need. I'm sure with this jig and a few mods you can adapt it the particular fuselage design.

Fuselage Jig

Thubner

Thanks ETpilot this is just what I am looking for.

Thubne

Harry067

+1 for the fuselage jig article !

RCFlyerDan

My Feedback: (54)

I have one called the "Magic Magnet Builder". It comes with a measured metal board with magnets that hold clamps, 90' angles, etc. I am sure you can make your own with a bunch of magnets. It is great for wings and fuses. It is a little less permanent as to drill holes in a board and hope that they will line up with the fuse. Tape your plans down to the steel board, and adjust the magnets to hold bulkheads, ribs, etc in place.

Airfield Models - Magnetic Building Board Systems for Model Aircraft

carlgrover

Draw a nice straight line down the center of your building board. Mark every former exactly on it's center at the top. Once you get your sides built, you can line up the formers on that center line and build the fuse on it's back. Use bricks or other weights to draw the fuse sides to center behind the wing saddle.

carl

ETpilot