Hey, I was just wondering how difficult it is to build a kit? What supplies do you need? Any research or previous experience in anything? How long in your opinion will it take for a first time beginner w/ no kit building experience to build? Any tips?

I might think about buying a cheap kit (any recommendations) for like under $50 in a year or so just to see & get experience on how hard it is to build a kit...

Thanks,
-E_v_A_d_E_r 53

It all depends upon which kit it is, what your aptitude for working with your hands is like, and what kind of setup (shop, tools etc) you have available to you. Too difficult of a question to answer. i've built kits in two days, and I've built them in two weeks. I'm not a slow worker, and I set aside time to work on kits so that I can get finished with them--dawn to dusk. That's just how I work. I built a top flight gold T-6 texan from a kit--complete with split flaps and pneumatic retracts, in about a week and 1/2

There are about three current "beginner's" threads on building a kit. All your questions will be answered if you look at those.

There's a couple for the 4*, Sig SE and others.


Oh, and RCKen just started a very detailed one on the [link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_3439708/tm.htm]Sig LT.[/link]

-tychoc

We would need to know if you are good with your hands. Any tools already available? Have you repaired any planes? What kind of plane - trainer, sport, pattern? What flying skill level does it need to be aimed at? $50 is going to pretty well limit your selection, but there should be some out there. You will also need to buy (in many cases) hardware, glue, covering material, motor (unless you have one),some more tools.

Take a look at any of the many past and present build threads here in the beginner section and you will get an idea of what you are getting into. I enjoy it myself, a lot. Your first kit will take a while, no way around it. You will make mistakes, keep them small by asking questions when you have them instead of just charging off and guessing. As long as you are not in a rush, your first kit can be a lot of fun.

Bunch of different skills involved in kit-building, and everyone's better at some than others, but if you can follow directions and buy a good beginner-type kit, you shouldn't have much trouble. No experience necessary. I've always found instructions in Great Planes kits to be very detailed and helpful. You can always come here (or Kit Building thread) for specific questions. A simple kit will take around 100 hours (give or take 50) to complete, start to finish. At 20 hrs per week, that's a little over a month.

As for tools, start with a flat board that you can push pins into (there are other building methods, but pinning is most common). A building board, hobby knife, waxed paper and sandpaper will get you started. A hobby saw is helpful, and roll of masking tape is handy for holding parts. More tools will be needed after you frame the kit, but by then you'll have a good idea what they are.

If you are looking for a trainer to build, this is one of the best. It builds easy and flies well. There are a couple of build threads running right now to help you. It costs a little more than your suggested price but is in a more realistic price range.
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXFG11&P=ML
You may be able to get the same price (or lower) at your LHS if you show them the Tower price. It's worked for me. Just don't make a habit of it.

Support your LHS and they will support you. Don't support your LHS and they will close. [:@]

Here's a great idea... get a Sig Wonder. They only cost about 40 bucks, they are very easy to build, and they will give you a good taste of what it's like to build. If you like building, try something more advanced

Besides, the Wonder is a blast to fly!

Evader,
One good way to

I'd suggest something even more basic, a solid wood free flight hand-launch glider. You will learn some basic building skills and a good bit about aerodynamics. Check out the first half dozen or so airplane kits at this site. http://www.pennvalleyhobbycenter.com...customkits.htm

Evader,
If you are interested in learning more about building, I suggest that you spend some time reading some of the build threads here on RCU. A build thread is where the people document the building of their planes. They do this so share with others the process of building a plane. They also do it so that the can get help and guidance from the RCU community. Taking some time reading these threads might give you some great insight as to what goes into building a plane. Here is a short list of some of the current threads here in the beginners forum.

The first thread is my own thread. I am building a Sig LT-40, and doing a build thread so that I can help people such as yourself that aren't sure about building, but would benefit from seeing one built. Hopefully I can show some of those out there that it's not really that hard to build a plane and they might try it themselves.
[link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_3439708/tm.htm]Pay it forward build thread. Sig LT-40 build.[/link]


A few other threads that are currently going on
[link=http://ww.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_3274319/tm.htm]Another Beginner Build - Sig Somethin' Extra [/link]
[link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_3385088/tm.htm]Another beginner's build - SIG 4 Star 60 [/link]
[link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_3410866/tm.htm]New Build - Slow Poke Sport 40 [/link]
[link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_3318725/tm.htm]Another 4*60 on the building board [/link]

That should give you enough reading to keep you busy for awhile. But it also will give you a pretty good idea of what's involved with building a kit

Hope this helps

Ken