I build stringed instruments for a living. [link]http://www.smithcreekmandolin.com[/link] I also cut and sell the wood used in all types of stringed instruments to other builders, frequently those building their first instrument. I can't tell you how many times I've tried to talk first time builders out of buying the best most expensive wood I sell. I tell them not to expect their first instrument to be perfect, but it should be considered a learning experience. The typical response I get is something like this: "Oh, I know, but I'm going to do a good job, I'm going to be very careful." This is my response: "I've never played golf before, but I think I'm going to go out this weekend and shoot a round of par golf. You know how I'm going to do it? Every time I hit the ball, I'm going to be very careful."

Sounds pretty stupid when you put it that way, but that's exactly what it is. It takes a couple years to learn how to sharpen all the tools you'll want to use, much less how to use them. When it come to building planes some people start out ahead of the game because they already work with wood, or know how to fiberglass or spray paint, but there are still hundreds of little bits of knowledge and skills that are very specific to building an rc plane that you don't know until you actually do. Then you try to do it better the next time.