Hi!

I have two questions:
1. What are some good surfaces on which to construct model airplanes or boats (e.g. plywood sheets)?
2. What do I need to do in order to ensure that I will be able to install the necessary rods/wires (for controlling the rudder, etc.) into the the plane (or boat) that I'm building? For example, do I need to buy the RC controller and its corresponding servos (and test it to ensure that they work) when I buy the model kit and THEN build the model AROUND the servos and its connecting rods/wires?

Please advise.

Thanks!

David

There are many threads on this subject for you to search for but one of the best is to get a hollow core door (good size and flat) and set it up on legs. Then use a piece of ceiling tile for the actual (pinnable) building surface. Pin into the back side of the board (no holes).

Very important to have a flat surface big enough for your project. A piece of Melanine wood can also be used but may be hard to find one big enough. You may be able to find a damaged door (one side) at a reduced price. Never hurts to ask.

If you know you are going to be continuing to build, there is the magnetic board system.
http://www.airfieldmodels.com/inform...oard/index.htm
Very nice but not cheap initially.

Don't know about boats but probably same as planes. Typically you can assembly the majority of the plane before having the radio system in your possession. It is nice to have at least one servo available at times during assembly to help determine exactly where you plan to route the pushrods. This is even more true with beginning builders who can't rely on previous experiences.

personally I would have the radio on hand. I made a mistake with my first build by getting the kit, then the engine, then the radio. There was a good long lag between each purchases. A few parts from the kit got lost (my bad... but when u have it around for a while it can happen) and I atleast find it extreamly hard to pick back up a project half way through after a length of time. The kit never got finished. I bought a new one recently and have started to a rebuild on it. I could habve just gotten the missing parts, but I was unhappy with having built the wing with more dihedral anyways, so I just got a new kit and bipassed the starting half way through. Anyways, that's just my opinion.
-John

Kits I have built have pretty good instructions on mounting servos and control rods (IMO it is better to have servos handy during construction) however a big part of the construction can be done without them, (Read completely through the instructions before starting)
I have limited room so for my building I have a folding card table, on top of that I have a 2 foot, hollow core, bi-fold door (will fold to 1 foot wide for easy storage, paid $35 at ACE hardware) on top of that goes 1" thick blue foam insulation (dow board, about $13 for 4'x8' sheet)) works great for me and my building surface is 100% flat and can be easily packed away when needed.

I build on a hollow core door. Like the previous posters said, most true beginners kits have very detailed instructions to guide you through the building or assembling process. Sorta sounds like you might need to decide if your going to build boats or airplanes. Surface vehicles (boats, Cars, other) use different radio frequencies (channels) then aircraft. Also the transmitters for surface vehicles may be set-up differently and may have a steering wheel, instead of sticks. If you can afford, I would buy what you need, when you need it.

I build wings on Homasote. I have mine mounted inside a wooden from that I can put over in the corner when I'm not using it.

It's like a grey paper fiber composition. It takes and holds pins well. Mine is 3/4" thick.

http://www.homasote.com/dealersearch...cisco&state=CA

Enjoy,

Jim