RC airplane gang,

Everytime I go to the LHS to get my parts for the next step in my airplane building, they either give me the wrong part or they're "not in stock". I was mounting an engine and drilled holes for the bolts. The nuts didn't fit the bolts Hobby---n gave me to use. Hobby P----e didn't even have anyting in stock for this purpose. It's engine mount bolts for crying out loud! I use more gas to go back and forth then the parts cost. I already have an on board glow driver and a $85.00 tachometer that they said I have to have for a previous plane but never needed. I even try to go to Lowe's or Home Depot trying to find parts like these because the LHS will screw it up. Unfortunately I can't find them there most of the time.

Do you pay for shipping and handling from Tower or Horizon for a two dollar part? Ideas for a rookie?

Thanks,

Snacker

For most nuts and bolts go to Ace Hardware or local hardware store. Not the big build a house store. Ace has ALWAYS had any nut bolt I needed. Whether it be metal or plastic bolts or nuts. They carry blind nuts as well in all sizes. Metic and Standard. Also when you do find them get a couple of extra and start storing them up. This way you have them if needed. I almost always buy double of what I need. That way there is spare hardware.

lowes has a pretty good selection of hardware. engine mount screws or bolts are most likely 4-40 or 6-32 screws. they will have the nuts to match. if you can't find what you need there, NAPA auto parts has a good selection of screws etc. I am spoiled since i work on fullsize aircraft doing fabrication and structural maintenence for a living, so hardware is always available to me.

It takes some time to learn what the most common items are, and more time to build up your own inventory. One thing that I've found is that certain sizes of nuts and bolts are more popular. 4-40 and 2-56 (and mostly the 4-40) are the most common sizes I need and use. Take a look at one of the online sources of hardware and get an assortment box of bolts, nuts, and blind nuts.

http://www.microfasteners.com/
http://rtlfasteners.com/Merchant2/me...&Store_Code=RF

If you come across the need for 6-32 or larger, you can often find them at the hardware store as well as the above mentioned sources.

Scott

first off your LHS is puttin it to ya if they said you had to have a tach..get a new LHS
for hardware I'll go to Lowes or Ace.

Your profile says you're in Las Vegas. There is a HUGE number of flyers in Las Vegas, and I'm certain you can find one locally that can probably point you to a reputable supplier, as well as give you good advice on what materials you actually need, and probably even help you with construction tips. In otherwords, in the immortal words of advice given to nearly every beginner -

Contact your local club - it will save you time and money.

Brad

Yeah, what was that Buzz word a couple of years back --- networking?? Get with your flying buddies and get local advice. We can help on long distance though. You can pay the LHS $2 for a bag of 4 screws or Microfasteners $4 for a bag of 100 (prices approximate) you get the idea. Choose wisely a few items that you KNOW you will use often and buy in bulk.

If you really want to get a good deal, do a search in your area for an industrial supply store. Even the rinky-dink little town I live in has one.

Then buy a box of screws, washers, nuts, and blind nuts for 4-40, 6-32, and 8-32 In lengths from 1/2" to 1"

Or you can stock up at thins place:

http://www.microfasteners.com/

I use Microfasteners. I have their starter kits of 2-56, 4,40 and the rest of them.

I do what Minn, Cyclic, and Bruce do.

But wanted to add that if there is a store like Radio Shack near you, they also have the small sizes.

But nothing beats the prices for quantity those guys (and saramos) mentioned.

BTW, Lowes has the small nuts/bolts in bags on the wall. $1 a bag, I think. They also have the best bolt of all (the nylon 1/4-24) back in the specialty fasteners drawers. (big metal pullout drawers)

Ace Hardware has all the bolts and nuts you will ever need for pennies a piece. They have epoxy and wood glue, brass tubing, piano wire for gear, lots of stuff for cheap. Ace is my hobby shop.

I use Micro Fasteners as well. They have EVERYTHING you need in the fastener department. They have stuff as small as 0-80! They have "Starter Kits" in 2-56 - 8-24 that include assorted lengths of socket head cap screws, nuts, lock nuts, blind nuts, washers and lock washers. I bought a set of every size and keep them in my field box(Plano tacklebox).

Thanks for all the good ideas folks. That's a lot of good information.

I actually went to Lowe's first but I couldn't find the right size. The bolts were to long but the right size around. I didn't go to the metal drawers though just the little bags. I haven't tried Ace hardware either, but it's a bit of a drive from my house. I'll definately check out microfasteners too.

Bkdavy, I haven't joined a club out here yet and don't have any flying buddys[]. My days off are Wednesday and Sunday and that kind of makes it difficult. I'm going to print an application off one of the clubs website and send it in with the fee and see what happens.

wednesday and sunday are both very popular flying days! go join a club for sure! ask questions, some guys here drive an extra 20 minutes past a more local HS to get to one that all of them really like and have great dealings with, but i just use a hobby shop i have been going to for quite some time in my parents hometown, the one i grew up in, i just stock up when i go in to visit, the guy at that shop is super to deal with and i will be moving back in about 2 years from now so it is good to stay faithful to him bc i will probably use him the rest of my life once i get settled in on the family farm.. find a LHS that you like and stick with them, they will only treat you better as the years go by!

Good excuse to get yourself a Dremel. A cutoff wheel makes any long bolt into the right length. And the dremel does so many other things in this hobby and around the house or farm.

And while you are at the hardware store pick up a "bolt stretcher". Can't tell you how handy they are when all of your on-hand bolts are too short.

i visited a shop that was closing down and bought the whole great planes revolving stand!i have enough hardware to last me decades.

Adapt, adopt, improvise and overcome. Be flexible. Most R/C puzzlers have multiple solutions. In a nylon engine mount you can use self-tapping or machine screws in place of bolts. You can tap the holes in aluminum mounts and use bolts (and adding nuts to the exposed portion is a real belts-and-suspenders arrangement). Engine mounts, in fact, are a recent innovation. Build a wood mount out of plywood and maple frames. No law against it.

Don't believe R/C is limited to R/C products. Hardware is hardware.

For linkages a simple "Z" bend is often the best solution. And by far the least expensive.

On this blessed modern Internet it is possible to download .pdf files for a lot of the (few) available kits. If you get stumped you can check them out for solutions that may not have occurred to you. Same for reading old R/C Magazines to pick up novel solutions to the same old problems.

Be thankful. I have some old Air Trails magazines with tips on making propellers. At least those are usualy vailable . . . except in the specific size you want that day.

Ah, I heard Clint Eastwood saying that as per "Heartbreak Ridge"... when I read that.

I'm glad you're not quoting "Brokeback Mountain"

[X(][:-] LOL

[X(][:-] LOL I haven't seen that one yet . How was it?

OOPS sorry about the double post!

I was told that it sucked.

Told by whom? If it was a friend they're probably right. However if it was the paper reviews I usually really like the ones they dis..

LOL[:@]