After balancing all my prior planes on sticks, or fingers, my last build, a Top Flite P-47, I had to build the Vanessa to balance it, as I didn't have enough hands to try to balance it in my shop by myself. Now that I have it, I will always use it, as it is easier to see where the balance is, and I have made rope loops to fit all sizes of planes, (except my neighbors full scale Cessna). I made mine with nothing but scrap lumber and dowel, the only thing I bought new was the rope / cord. So, I have a total of about $5 into it. You may wish to try a small bubble level, they weigh very little.