ORIGINAL: kdryan
ORIGINAL: MinnFlyer
If I may make a suggestion... Why not build a kit first?
It will teach you VOLUMES over trying to build from plans your first time out
Are you talking about a regular balsa kit from Guillows or whomever? I did start building a Stearman years ago, but my wife sat on the fuselage halfway through it and trashed it.
I am not really afraid of working from a set of plans. I've studied the Mystery Ship enough and gone over these enough to be familiar with them thoroughly.
As for the Razor plane, I looked it up and it doesn't look like a bad idea. Perhaps I am making this more complicated than it is?
I'm in total agreement with Minnflyer. Get a 40 size Balsa USA kit, or a kit similar. Build it and give that one to the kid down the street. The experience will be worth every penny.
Another bit of info is, don’t even think of using a table saw on balsa. Been there, done that! I only use mine for a flat iron table.
The only machines I use are:
Band saw, disk sander, drill press, and sometimes my shaper for tracing wing ribs.
Scratch building can be challenging, but very rewarding. It can also be never finished due to frustration from lack of experience.