I guess the title of the thread says it all, I was just wondering which costs more in the end to do. I figured it would be cheaper to go with a RTF because I don't have any of the tools to make an airplane... What tools are necessary anyway? Thanks

I hear this argument at my field at least once every weekend or so. The answer is simple, there really isn't any way you can build a plane for the same cost that ARF's or RTF's are produced for. That's all there is to say in regards to the original question.

But now for the flip side of the argument. When people tell me that an ARF would have been cheaper than what it cost me to build a plane. My simple answer is "So what?" I don't build planes to save money. I build planes because I like building them. Nothing more, nothing less, no economic factors involved at all.

Ken

That's what I kinda figured, thanks.. just wondering though about the equipment that you'd need. What are the required things that you'd need to put together a plane from a kit. Thanks

I know it sounds funny, but you actually get more out of a kit...

Not only the build time (if you enjoy it, you will agree it alone is worth the extra money)

But i cant imagine (this is speculation as i havent maidened a build yet) that the difference in feel and pride on your maiden is worth anything that hte build experince doesnt pay for...

kits CAN be cheaper after you have done a couple and are well stocked with everything. you need a stockpile of tools, equipment, monokote, basically everything you are going to use. lots of kits do not come with hardware either, or at least minimal stuff, so you have to factor in those costs if you don't already have it.

to build a kit, you are going to need covering, flight hardware, various hand sanders, dremel clone (requirement in my book!), various hobby knives, good supply of at least two different speeds of CA, kicker, 30 minute and 5 minute epoxy, silicon adhesive, fiberglass cloth, white glue/probond, threadlock (blue), fuel tubing, pushrods (goldenrod), soldering iron, silicon adhesive, some spare balsa of various thickness and also spare dowels. I also like to have carbon fiber and kevlar thread on hand.

probably missing a couple, but that pretty much covers it.

I have built several kits and they have always cost more to put in the air than an equivalent ARF. However I get much more satisfaction out of flying a plane I built from a box of wood than an ARF. Having said that now days pretty much all my new planes are ARF because I jsut don't have the time to build a kit.

heat gun, sealing iron, trim saw(optional?), T pins or some sort of building board system, measuring device, square, mixing cups, mixing sticks, plan protector, and many others I'm sure. BUT ALL of the tools needed are well worth the joy of seeing the flying machine YOU built take off, fly, and land. JMO I will admit the stress is higher for me when I fly the plane I built than it is flying an ARF but it is still worth it to me

As my Grandma is fond of saying "You get what you pay for".

.The other thing besides NOT being cheaper, is when you build your plane ,you can CUSTOMIZE it to your prefferances,ending up in a "ONE of a KIND" model.YOU may see other planes that look similar,built from the same kit, but there`s none, that will be identicle, in every way...I think ,that with ARFs ,the company`s looking to make a buck and they shop around to find the the "best bargain" possible for parts that are installed in the pre-built plane.I`ve seen many times, planes equipped with, not so great retracts ,for example,just to keep the ARFs price down..THINGS like that are in the builders control, if your constructing from a kit..You can shop around,for the, top of the line parts,or of a lesser quality, (up to you)for your "NEW AIRCRAFT". MY GRANDMA used to say, CHEAPER is CHEAPER,meaning costs less,but you get less....I wonder if our grandmas went to the same school,JIM[....

The plane that YOU build will have better glue joints because you will take your time and use a better quality glue. Tools you purchase will be used on future kits. A bottle of wood glue should do several planes (depending on size of plane and glue bottle). Pride of workmanship will last forever. Many parts will be transferable to next plane when this one dies. I prefer to build my own.

There is nothing wrong with buying a ARF/RTF to become a pilot. But you need to build a kit to become a "modeler" IMO.

You can do exactly that with an ARF as well. It is also very satisfying turning an ARF into something that no one else has.

Building models is fun -- regardless of what you start with.

Something else to consider is that while a kit may cost more in the end, that expense can be drawn over a preiod of time. In other words, if you had $100/month to spend, the first month you could get the kit and some glue, next month buy an engine. A month later get wheels, tank, covering etc. and later get your radio. So while you're paying a little more, you're not doling it all out in one lump sum.

BTW, the tools needed are as many or as few as you desire. I once scratch built a 2 meter glider using only a set of drill bits (No Drill) a razor blade, a hacksaw blade, and a piece of sandpaper (Used household Iron foir covering) and the plane was beautiful! Of course, I wouldn't want to have to do it that way again, but it just goes to show you that you don't HAVE to have a shop full of equipment. A few driull, a few razor blades, some sandpaper etc.

The one tool I would recommend getting would be a razor saw. They come in very handy

although i have never built a kit. i would add that even putting together an arf requries quit abit of equipment anyway. i have only assembled arf's and i have bought just about every piece of equipment listed in this post (except razor saw). my point is if cost of equipment goes into your decision remember your still gonna have to buy most of it in the end.

.It kinda of takes the point of RF, out of ARF.I`m sure there`s satisfaction, in repairing an ARFs ,downfalls.NOT to cause argument but, building in my mind ,such as kit building,is actually fabricating the kits, parts, in to an airplane, and an ARF is just putting,the prefabricating assemblies together..I would say that,any thing done to an ARF, is basically a modification ,and it`s still a ,"COOKIE CUTTER"airplane thats,just being improvised on.I know from my experiance, the only thing that gives me more pride, than a kit build ,is a scratch build..It`s very personalized ,and priceless to me,though it does cost more.It`s something I wouldn`t feel from a ARF...D.B

Hi Pendraegon...
Yes it probably costs a bit more to kit build and it will definitely take more time to get airborn. In the picture below you will see a set of tail feathers for my GP Ultimate 40 biplane that I started yesterday. 56 pieces total that had to be cut, trimmed, sanded and glued. (only 4 pcs were die cut). A full days work for me. I have built and completed ARFs in the same amount of time. I am hoping to maiden this plane by Christmas!!! Why do I spend this much time building when I can buy a comparable ARF and have it in the air in less than a week? 1- I think I can build a stronger airplane than an ARF version, 2- I can modify any part of the plane that I want to make it more compatible with my flying style (within reason). 3- I can cover it in any combination of colors I choose to make it different than the same plane that someone else at my field may be flying. and 4- (most important to me) As already mentioned above there is a sense of accomplishment that can't be measured when you see it in the air for the first time and know that you built it from a box full of lumber and you made it FLY !!!! I have built several kit planes and it always feels the same way after a good maiden flight -----YEEEEeeeeHAAAaaa !!!!!!

Dale Jenkins
Southern Eagle Squadron
Leesburg FL.

Hey, this could go on & on ---

The part about modifying an ARF comes after you're "bored" (I hate that word) with the ARF. There is just about anything that you can do with one (ask the guys that make 4-engine multi's out of old trainers, for example). This is hardly cookie cutter stuff. I have had more fun turning a pig's ear into a silk purse than I have in scratch designing & building some models.

With the ARF you are faced with some pre-determined characteristics that you want to radically alter -- that is a tougher job than working from a clean sheet.

AND ON ,AND on,AND on,and,ON not trying to shoot anyone down.This is meant to be funny.A person can make ,crap from scrap,or can scrap the crap, and then make ,something from that... LOL... whatever a person decides on the sky really is the limit you can make anything expensive,if you know what stores ,to visit..D.B.

I give up.

Couldn't have said it better myself Ken. You can buy cheaper planes already built for you, but for me a huge part of this great hobby is the building of it - the experiences and knowledge of building it with your own two hands - gives me great pride.

I agree with Ken, leaving the hobbie can be very affordable. , But, What if you SUFFER building, instead of enjoying it? That means you will be paying for the added suffering.

Also, like someone else said before, you buy the kit and glue and some tools, then you buy the engine and more tools, then the hardware and some more tools, then the radio gear and mooore tools.

The few times I've been to the field so far I've gotten compliments on my plane. I heard folks talking about it and they referred to it as a "kit build LT-40" vs just an LT-40. Made me feel good that folks recognized that you built it yourself.

Nothing like seeing what used to be a pile of materials and a kit take-off into the air as a plane and knowing you built it.

somegeek

IMHO time is money , so ask yourself which takes longer to put together, a plane that is a kit or the same plane that is an ARF ? I hope this answers your question.

I enjoy building a plane. I enjoy rebuilding a plane. Doesn't matter if it was an ARF or a scratch built. The thrill of building or rebuilding will always cause more excitement to me when takeing off or landing than a new ARF I have just put together. It does not matter the price of the ARF over the built or rebuild. Knowing the hours I have put into doing something and having it fly is worth a lot.

I enjoy building plan to keep on with it. The consensus around our club is that building is much more expensive ( lots more beer
ocassional divorce etc.)

If you have skill, and you can create something unique and valuable , and you enjoy it, then build. Your skill will increase in time, and your planes will be valuable enough to offset the cost of the hobby. You can fly for almost free.