I want to purchase the Sig rascal ARF for 164.00 from the LHS but I am not sure what tools I will need to put this plane together or any option equipment I will need. I have a Futaba skysport 4 channel radio from my Hobbico nexSTAR and that will probaly work with the rascal right? Please let me know what tools, extra equipment, and if my futaba will work with this plane. Thanks so much for your help, I can wait to start on this plane !

steve

Steve,
The Rascals are nice looking planes, and I know the larger ones at least, fly real well.

Here's a list I've given out a number of times to people assembling an ARF for the first time.

Things you WILL need:

Glues: 30 minute epoxy (for the tail pieces and wing halves), with something to mix it on, and with, (old plastic lids and wooden coffee stirrers, plus small plumbers' acid brushes). Thin CA. (Not "Superglue".)

Tools: XActo knife and extra number 11 blades. Steel straight edge, 18". A ruler will work but.... Sanding block and sandpaper. Screw drivers, small and medium sizes, both flat and phillips types. Pliers, needle nose and regular. (At least one pair with side cutters for wire.)

Check the contents on the instruction sheet. Most will have a list of extras you'll need to buy; like wheels, fuel tank (& size), motor and gearbox, ESC and Battery pack, etc...

You MAY need Covering tools to tighten up covering: A sealing iron. (A Trim iron will help too if you can swing both.) A Heat gun made for covering. (Blow dryers don't really get hot enough.)

Things you will need LATER! (If you get a kit or need to make repairs):

Different grits of sandpaper (80, 120, 200, 400.) Razor saw; Kona or XActo. Kona is better. A good set of Allen or hex wrenches. (IMO, Ball drivers are a bit better if you can find a good set.) A "Dremel" type rotary tool will help a lot if you can shell out the extra dollars. More of those #11 blades for your XActo knife if you didn't buy the box of 100. #11 blades is probably the most used item. Don't be cheap and try to keep using that old blade, it's not worth it. (Especially when working with covering!!)

Do you know what motor, gearbox (if used), ESC and battery packs they specify for the Rascal?

You'll also need a GOOD battery charger. I'd imagine the Rascal will require at least an 8 cell battery pack. Probably a minimum of say 600 AE NiCD cells. (Or one of the newer NiMH's, say an 1100 mAh pack?) (I'm assuming this is around a Speed 400 size plane?) There are decent chargers out now that will do eight cells and only cost around $40.

It would be wise to buy at least 2 battery packs. Otherwise you'll have to wait a minimum of 30 to 40 minutes between each 6 to 8 minute flight while the pack cools then charges.

It also wouldn't hurt to get smaller/lighter servos. Hitec HS-81's are good "mini" servos. But your full size Futabas will work.

Anyway, any more questions, ask away!
Dennis-

DBCHERY,
Once again you are a HUGE help, this is by far the best list of tools needed. I suggest a moderator to move this reply somewhere where all can see. EXCELLENT information. DB in regards to to what is included it is listen on this site... [link=http://www.hobby-warehouse.com/sigrasarfgre.html]Sig Rascal ARF information + picture[/link]Yhe battery and motor are included and all I need to add it my futaba radio. If you can check this site and let me know what I need to just get by on this ARF that would be greatly helpful, I plan to pick up stuff as I go and progress further into the hobby. Once again thank you sooo much, you were a HUGE help!

steve

Just glad I can help.

Looked at the site, and please note that it does NOT come with a battery pack. Speed 400 motor and gearbox, as well as the ESC, which is great, but you'll still need to buy two (my recommendation) 8 cell, 600AE packs (again, NiMh's will provide higher mAh ratings at similar weight, but at a bit less power),and you'll need a battery charger.

If you can afford it, I've seen a couple of Nova's and Super Nova's for sale recently; both eBay and here, for around $75. They go about a $100 to $120 new. They're a real good charger, but they only run off 12 volts. Either a battery or a power supply (power supply's can be costly). The Nova series will charge fron 1 to 24 cell packs though, so if you're thinking about getting involved in electrics beyond Speed 400's, you should consider them. (Other equally good brands are available.)

As I said, less expensive chargers are around. GWS makes one that's good for something like, 4 to 8 cells, and I think it will run off either 110 or 12 volts. Shop around for what you think you'll need. (Tower should have some.)

I also have a near new Hobbico 335 (I think), that will charge 1 to 24 cells. It's certainly not a Nova, and it will only run off 12 volts. But if you think you might be interested, I'd sell it for $40 shipped. (Just saw one of these for sale as well. He was asking $45 plus shipping.) Not a sales pitch, because I'll use it at times, but if you can't find anything at a reasonable price....

One more thing I noticed in the Rascal ad, and wondered about last night; you WILL need a soldering iron for linkages. Which means you will also need some soldering flux and some solder. I've recently been using the paste type flux and rosin (resin?) core solder wih good results.

Do NOT waste your money on hobby shop or Tower soldering irons. Go to Sears, or Home Depot, or a hardware store, and buy a good, 80 watt pencil type iron. (Not the pistol shaped things either.) They can be found for under $20.

If you have a "Bernzomatic" type propane torch, that will work quite well for things like linkages and landing gear; metal to metal soldering), but be careful, they heat things up REAL fast! I can solder heavy linkages together in about 4 seconds. (Really!)

Anyway. Good luck, and like I said, keep asking the questions.
Dennis-

Oh Yeah,
Just remembered that they also mentioned using a mini receiver and micro servos, so keep that in mind. What it means is, your regular Futaba equipment is really too heavy for that Rascal.

Look at the Hitec 555 receiver, and HS-55 servos. I'm guessing it'll cost you another $100 though.

Maybe you should get the 40 size Rascal and mount your trainer engine and radio gear in it.
Dennis-

I was thinking about doing that but Id rather have my trainer gas ready. The Sig rascal will just be a winter project to keep me busy and introduce me to a little building. What do you mean my futaba will be "too heavy"? Wont I be able to get smaller recievers and servos, and not as expensive as 100?

steve

Well, as an example, a new Hitec 555 receiver with crystal will be around $70. and 2 Hitec HS 55 micro servos will probably run close to $30. You might find off-brand servos for less. Buying a Futaba mini receiver and mini or micro servos would probably cost over $150. [:@]

If you only fly the plane when you're alone, you could go with a GWS single conversion receiver, goes for about $28 with crystal, and a couple GWS mini servos, probably $20 to $25. So you'll come in around $50 total. Your range is reduced with the single conversion receiver though; I wouldn't trust flying beyond 500 to 600 feet. You have to expect less when you buy "bargain".

FYI. The Hitec 555 and 55 servos are less than half the size/weight of your standard Futaba stuff. It may not seem ike a lot of weight, but when you get into small electrics, every GRAM becomes important.
Dennis-

Did you crash a plane?
As far as I know, I have crashed 2 planes while using the Skysport 4

[:@]