I was framing a truss-type fuse with a friend a couple months ago. We have a small band saw and a 10" disk sander. With 2 guys cutting sticks on the band saw and sanding joints - - __ it don't take long to frame up a fuse. About 8 minutes. [&:]

We got the longerons pinned down and each guy grabs a 2oz bottle of thin CA. Start the band saw and the disk sander and grab a stick!! We were slinging CA and the saw dust was flyin' !! Literally framed up a fuse side in about 6-8 minutes.

When it's done - just hit it with a big block sander and knock the high spots off. Slap a piece of wax paper on top of that side and then build the next one right over the top of it. 6 minutes later, you got yourself 2 fuse sides.

I'm addicted to power tools. I like to build, but when the glue bottle comes out of the rack - get outta my way!!! I'm amazed at how much faster we can build with the power tools. I used to build everything with a hand saw and assorted hand sanders. Power planers, saw and sanders takes away 80% of the work. It's so addicting for a guy who loves to build.

We took a Sig SeaLane (kit) out of the box on June 28th, 2008 and we had it flying at the float fly on July 5th, 2008. From a kit to the lake in 7 days. I also built a set of Sig 1/4 scale (46" long for the 25% Cub - HUGE floats) at the same time. The bottom of the hull on the Sig SeaLane was glassed in 1.5oz cloth and the bottom of the Sig 1/4 scale floats were glassed with 8oz cloth on the front - (in front of the step) - and 1.5oz everywhere else. The "carving projects" on the SeaLane were reduced to a pile of sawdust in a matter of a few minutes on the disk sander. 80grit goes through a balsa block like a hot knife through butter. Doing all that carving by hand would have taken HOURS.

I see that you've modified the tail on the Senior. I LIKE IT!! The split elevators with a full rudder that goes all the way through the fuselage is VERY nice.

I didn't notice in your pics - did you put in diagonal cross braces on the top and bottom of the fuselage? The sides of the Senior will have diagonal cross bracing all the way back to the tail. But the top and bottom does not have the cross bracing. You can add these pieces for almost no weight gain - but add a tremendous amount of torsional strength to the fuse. With that tail group that you modified onto this plane - I'm guessing you want to fly the ever-livin'-snot out of it......... [8D] I'd do the mod. You'll have enough motor on the firewall to offset 8 grams of balsa.