I bought a Hanger 9 Ulitimate Stick 40 ARF and while it is a good ARF, I notice that certain annoying things just happen when you're assembling a plane regardless of who you buy it from. Also keep in mind that I'm a perfectionist so that could be part of the problem. When I say I'm a perfectionist, I'm not trying to compliment myself: certain things just don't need to be that dialed in and I waste a lot of time for nothing.

The wing halves don't line up at the center. When you glue them together and set the wing on a perfectly flat surface like the instructions said, the centers don't line up (one side is a little higher than the other at the seam). The wing wanted to sit with it's spars touching the bench (no dyhedral). I could have held it together at the joint until it set but then I thought the wing will have a twist. So I just let it dry how it wanted to sit. I masking taped it together like they said. So when it was all dry, the dowels were crooked and the wing is at a slight angle with the fuse (a few degrees?). I glued in the horizontal stab and it's almost right on with the wing but a very small angle. No biggie but annoying.

The CA hinges are hard to install. One wouldn't go in deep enough. Luckily the excess went into the other side (aileron). Then when I got them all in and pinned them, I couldn't get them into the other side (aileron). The ultra coat covering kept blocking the hinge from going in. Once I finally got them in I CA'd the first one and got glue all over my wing. No it did NOT come off with CA cleaner. You have to scrub forever to get it off. So after I glued the first one, I realized one of them didn't go in the slot (it looked like it went in, but it went below where I couldn't see it). Oh man I almost had a heart attack. Luckily I could bend the one glued-in hinge enough to get the third one in. Can you imagine if I had already glued 3 out of 4 and realized one hinge was not in the slot? That would have been a distaster cutting them off and digging out new slots.

It's been a while since a assembled an ARF so I guess these bumps are normal. I'm sure you guys have a lot worse stories. That's all I the whining I have for now. Next is to glue on the vert stab.

Joe

One of the REALLY NICE things about an ARF is that they package the hardware in those little plastic bags and staple it all together. It's all sorted and convenient.

That makes it really to chuck it all right into the TRASHCAN. No muss, no fuss----just pick up a bag and toss it right in the can.

I absolutely hate ARF hardware. I usually hate the hardware that comes in kits too. Most of it winds up in the trashcan.

I wish that you could buy an ARF without any hardware. But, the price ought to reflect it.

Some kit manufacturers offer kits without hardware---Lanier, Aeroworks(althoug they don't make kits anymore), Carden

I wouldn't mind paying for an ARF-- if the price was lower and they would not include the hardware. I usually wind up spending another $50--$100 for quality hardware.

Or, I'd even pay MORE for an ARF------IF the hardware was good stuff.

This is why one must always trial fit the CA hinges into the wing and ailerons. If they don't line up or the slots are not deep enough, you simply take your x-acto knife and fix the problem. Some CA hinges are more flexible than others, and as a result, they can be a little bit difficult to slide into their slots. However, with a little patience and some swear words, they will go in. I always add additional CA hinges between the factory ones for extra insurance.

talk about digging out hinges...i remember when at end of evening i decided i would go ahead and install the rudder (ca hinges)......so i did and went in house. next day when i came out it dawned on me the plane had a one piece elev.![&o] rather difficult installing when rudder is in place...lol.

Try a little acetone on a rag. Let the rag sit on the area for a few minutes and then rub until gone. Be sure to put enough acetone on the rag as it evaporates rather quickly. Finish up with the cleaner of your choice.

Richard, I did trial fit them and that's when I noticed the problem. I also did think of taking an exacto knife to deepen it until I saw that the blade was three times thicker than the slot. That would NOT work. So I just stuffed it a little further into the other side. No biggie.

Joe

THE problems that everyone has in assembling most AFR's is the same problem that I have when I build a plane. Nothing ever fits. That is why I put ARF's. At least I know the parts are SUPPOSE to fit together.

Most directions with ARF's state that you should trial fit. I use a #11 exacto blade to clear and clean out the hinge slots. Even the wing joiner usually needs to be sanded down to fit so the wing halves line up. Most directions suggest that you use 6 drops to secure hinges. I usually add much more, but no so much as to get it all over the place. Done that myself early on, but learned the hard way. Debonder will remove excess CA immediately if you catch it before it hardens. Many experienced builders make fun of ARF's, but there is definitely an art form to assembling an ARF so it's strong and clean.


I agree with Rcpilet. I usually add my own hardware. I have yet to see a hardware package that wasn't pure junk. I too wish the manufactures would listen to their customer base and add quality hardware. I would pay more for the model to get a good hardware package. IMHO

One of the few advantages to having built a few kits before doing ARFs is that you accumulate tricks and techniques and tools that make ARF building easier. Maybe it's the bang your head on the wall concept too, Arfs are easy when you compare them to a kit. Anyway, for CA hinges, cutting a little of the corners off helps get them in the slots. You should cut away a thin sliver of covering from around the hinge slots to let the glue flow in properly. If you cut up some bandaid sized pieces of newspaper you can use them to wick away any excess glue. How you hold the parts and the glue bottle and using the right tip on the bottle all help. Also, I have an electric hinge slotter which quickly fixes any slots that are too shallow. Even with good technique and esoteric tools, it takes time to make nice hinge joints.

Peter

I wish!!!!!!!!

It would be nice if arfs could be bought in one of three stages
1. ready to cover.
2. already covered.
3. standard hardware or premium hardware.

Miloh.

Peter, those are some good tips. It makes sense to cut away some of the covering if it's in the way. And using news paper or paper towel below the hinge is good to catch overflow. I wanted to makes sure to use enough glue vs not enough. I can live with the glue on the wing more than I can a plane crashing.

I also want to seal my hinges with a strip of mono- coat. I heard from the guys at the field that it really makes a difference.

Joe

The most annoying thing that happens to me when I'm building ARF's is when my wife yells down the cellar stairs telling me that I've been down there too long and asking when will I be coming upstairs to spend some time with her!

Meesh, just yell back up "When are you coming downstairs and spend some time with me?"

Meesh:

Hay dude I found a trick that works for me, I put the computers, T.V. and ash trays, in the building room. I also do not allow the dogs in the house but I will let them come in the building room.
The wife spends as much time in there as I do.

Miloh.