Maybe you could re-name it the "universal beginner build thread"....

Lotsa good stuff in here! [sm=thumbup.gif]

That's not a bad idea. I'm just hoping I can eventually name it "Another Beginner Build - Sig Somethin' Extra (DONE)"!

I have to set aside some time to actually get some work done with this thing. It's taking me way too long.

I think you're going for a 1000 post thread and just delaying the build.

Not intentionally.

I do have a question about this plane though... is the canopy entirely necessary? I ask because mine got hosed.

So, it's either wait for one to come in, or go without (and honestly, I'm liking the way it looks canopy-less). I just don't know if it can go without and still fly well.

Basically, what I'm asking is: Will it fly okay without the canopy, or will the aerodynamics be all screwed up?

It'll fly fine without the canopy. Probably won't even slow it down much. But you need to cover any bare wood, because it'll get oily.

There is no bare wood. I've painted all exposed wood black (and sealed it). So, that's cool! I'm going canopyless! Unless this starts a debate.... Oh well, we'll see.

By the way, I did a little work on her. The control horns are now attached.

DOH! I just remembered, there's going to be pattern over those areas on the wing... oh well, guess I got to practice for those.

I'd start on the flying wires, but I don't think I'll have enough time to do any soldering. I'm getting closer and closer to radio installation and engine break-in. I'm just getting there slowly!

How about just cut up a 2 liter soda bottle for an open cockpit? And a pilot of course.

Edit: Something sorta like this...? (but simpler)

That's an interesting idea... I'll have to think about that. It may be a mod I make later on, seeing as how that's something I could do at any time. I like the idea though, thanks!

I did think about running my old one without a canopy. Never fell throught with carrying out it.

I certainly have gained alot of things from this build thread.

I really think there should be a seprate build thread just for people who like you, kiswa, want to have a build thread. Look at the beginners thread, lots of Build threads. That's very good though.

What about that idea.......where's some pictures at?

~Michael~

I cant top cwrr's photo, but here's my Sig Miniplane's cockpit with a simple plastic windscreen, attached right to the Monokote with RC-56.

I'm going to try to get straight into the soldering of the flying wires when I get home this afternoon. The only thing is we're going to see Maggie (the puppy) about 45 minutes after I get home. So, I'm not sure I'll be able to get that soldering all done in that amount of time. I'm going to try. I'm just not sure I'll do it all.

I was also thinking about taking some photos just to update everyone on where she stands right now. I still have to put the starburst on the wing, but other than that she looks pretty good, I think.

Don't try to cram big projects into small time slots. Leads to rushing and mistakes. [:'(]

Actually, I just talked it over with my wife and she has said goodbye to me until Friday (except for when we go see Maggie). I'm going to spend all afternoon/evening working on this plane (taking my time, as usual).

I at least want to get all the final assembly taken care of. I may even get that dang starburst pattern down on the wing (it's the cutting more than anything else that I'm avoiding).

Just a reminder Sharp blades to make clean cuts


Ask me How I know

Clean, and sharp blades will do the trick!

Sounds like you're making some progress....Keep it up....

Still can't wait for everything to be done....I'm about as anxious as you are!!

~Michael~

Well, before I got the call to go visit Maggie I had cut the flying wires down to size and soldered three out of four. I'm about to get back into it and do the other one and get them attached. Once that's done, it's on to radio installation. Then I guess I should put the pattern on the wing so I can hook up the control rods.

It's kinda weird that it's so close to being done with. I'm used to it being a project that's always there for me to do a little work on. I don't know that I can convince the wife I another kit so soon... but I may have to try.

Well, no photos because it's not really worth it. I installed the upper flying wires. The lower wires will have to wait for a run to the LHS (whenever he's open again). I bent one of the clevises too much and snapped it, so I'm short one. None of the openings on the clevises were large enough, and I destroyed a Dremel attachement trying to make them open up enough for the bolts.

After that frustration, I marked the locations for the radio installation but haven't drilled or installed the servos yet. I was too annoyed to keep working on it and I didn't want to really screw something up.

Sorry, but it looks like it's going to be another week.

Good!
I don't want this thread to end quite yet...! Free entertainment - and the first one I check every day. Keep plugin away! [sm=bananahead.gif]

(and take your time, do it right!)


You know, if you take four #11 exacto blades and solder them together, they make really neat little throwing stars that will stick in just about anything, except maybe steel... Don't ask how I know that either.

Yeah, ya gotta admit that this thread has definitely been a lot of fun. Heaven help the neighborhood if the (ir?)regular participants ever actually get together in one place. Can you imagine the insanity? Of course, we probably could actually figure out how to get Maggie to fly that coffee table!

Back to the original subject - my covering is going very slowly. I'm almost finished with the base color on left aileron. (I told you guys I didn't have much free time durring the week...) I'm having a miserable time getting the end corners to come out cleanly. After the main surface is covered, how does everyone do the ends? Do you first wrap over the leading/trailing edges and then wrap from the edge around to the end, and finally fold from the main surface over the end? Or do you start with the main surface and fole over the end, then wrapping the end "tabs" onto the leading/trailing edge corners and then finish sealing the leading/trailing edges?
And the problem is really compounded by the beveled/rounded edges with flat ends - a simple compound curve would be a piece of cake!

I wish I could illustrate, but ....

I don't think I did two ends the same way. All I know is that you've got to cut the overhanging covering into the corner you're folding down onto the end of the suface you're covering. Did that make sense? If not... I can try to explain more clearly. Cutting is the key though.

EDIT: Forgot to mention... I like the #11 throwing star idea. Might have to try that one out.

Everything seems to get going great....keep up the great work.....I didn't know you have to cut the flying wires to fit. Guess they're different with the kit and ARF; I just threaded it into the little white thing that attaches to the actual wing, but you actually had to cut the steel......Learn something new everyday.

~Michael~

Yeah, I learned that the setup for the ARF is much easier than the kit. I wouldn't mind getting a set of flying wires from the ARF version and using them on my kit. (Anyone got any lying around? )

For the kit version, you have to cut 10" threaded rod down to 6" (for the bottom) and 7 3/4" (for the top). Then you have to cut the pinned arm off four solder clevises and four metal screw-on clevises. Then you get to solder on the solder clevises. Then you thread on the threaded clevises. Then you bend the clevises (that's where I screwed up and broke one). Then you attach them.

Sounds like fun doesn't it?

When you cut the threaded steel make sure you take something like the Dremel fiber cut-off wheel and take to the end of the place where you cut off and kinda round that off.

My dad was showing me this, and when you just cut some off the end of the threads get messed up and you to kind smooth it out so you get it to where like you never cut it. This way the threads get lined up.

If you have to cut the threaded steel for something like a pushrod, and it will be put into a threaded steel clevis, like I think you have, then it will be hard to screw the pushrod into the clevis until you smooth out the end and get the threads right.

This works just about everytime, and saw that you have a Dremel (but might not have the acessories).

What about that.......makes it alot better

Hope this helps

~Michael~

Another trick is to screw on a nut before you cut the threads. After cutting, removing the nut (usually with a wrench) will "clean up" the threads at the end. Doesn't do wonders for the nut, though.

It bugged me that the clevis holes weren't big enough for the supplied 2-56 bolts. Seemed they could've at least mentioned it in the instructions. It looked like a simple operation, until I tried attaching the wires.