hi,

this is going to sound really really stupid but......what are the differences between all the different motors and engines.

thnx [sm=rolleyes.gif]

Motors run off electricity, engines (usually ) run off a petroleum base fuel (gasoline, glow fuel, diesel, etc )

There are electrics, which get power from batteries or some such. Internal combustion includes glow plug which run on methanol-based fuel, compression ignition or diesel, which depend on compression heat to fire, and gasoline which have a spark plug. There are also external pressure engines like CO2 and compressed air engines. Not too many steam engines, although some have been flown.

That should tell you enough that you can ask more specific questions.

Not at all stupid. It would be easier at a club flying site, where someone could point at the different variations.

Those would include the traditional small "glow" engines, which use alcohol for fuel (mixed with lubricants and other things like "nitro") and come in sizes suitable for training planes, larger planes, and smaller nimble planes. They're labeled "glow" because ignition is catalytic, initiated by the glowing warm element of a glow plug in the combustion chamber.

Also included would be the lightweight gasoline engines, with spark ignition. These mainly come in sizes to power the larger planes.

Electrics are, well.... electric. These motor/battery combinations are available in power ranges from the small to the ridiculously large.

For more particulars, you should see the folks at your friendly local flying field.
Best wishes,
Dave Olson

thanks,

I was also wondering if any sort of CA is better than the other. I'm getting an Ep-42 from sig and they say it needs glue and tools what sorts of things do i need to buy. Also i was thinking of buying the futaba 6exh 6-channel fm with the 4 micro servos. Is futaba a reliable brand (i hear it alot in the magazines) and do you think the S3107 servos will be good. look at the product at: http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...=LXKZC0**&P=ML

thzks for your advice i'm really learning a lot

Futaba in general is a top quality brand you won't be disapointed the 6 EXAS is a great intermediate to advanced radio I have one and it does all the things I need it to do. af far as CA goes there are several types they include balsa and foam types use the one that is for your model there are several brands I have used several and they all seem to work about the same just make sure you get the right type for your model .there is several thickneses each has its particular uses

I find that medium thickness works well. Thin has limited uses and mostly its only good for gluing 2 fingers together. The fiber type hinges require thin CA but I prefer the nylon type with the metel pin in between the 2 halves. [8D]

Lots to learn in this hobby, firestar, so you can't ask too many questions. The radio you've chosen will be fine for the EP-42 (but get the 6EXAS--the EXH is for helicopters). In fact, it may be overkill, OTOH you won't outgrow it anytime soon. The S400 motor in the EP-42 is a very popular "economy" electric, not the fastest thing in the air, but certainly capable.

Well the big ones are basically, big and the little ones are I guess, little? Hey you need a sense of humor to hang out with this bunch. This engine section is a wealth of information. Darn near every topic you can think of keeps coming up over and over and over again.

What kind of flying are you gearing towards?

Futaba is a good reliable brand. The 6exh is a heli (helicoptor ) radio, but will work just as well for fixed wing airplanes.

As for CA. There are several different thicknesses, thin, medium, thick, gel and a "slow set" which is supposed to be somewhere between thick and gel and used primarily for sheeting wings and other structure.

For tight fitting balsa to balsa joints I use thin CA. For ply to balsa I use medium and for ply to ply I normally use thick ca or epoxy. For glow powered planes you definitely want to use epoxy WITH triangular backing for the firewall.