I''m about to begin covering my US60 but undecided on assembly sequence. What is your current preference on control surface installation, please! Cover first, then install or install then cover. I followed your guidance in the "Pass it Forward" thread (LT 40) when I built my Kadet MK II and was really happy with the results. I installed the control surfaces then covered, sealing the gaps in the process. The plane flies really well.

Current recommendations from elsewhere is to cover first, then install, leaving the gaps small but not sealed. I''ll once again greatly appreciate knowing your thinking!

Frank

This is one area where Ken and I disagree.

He prefers to hinge, then cover.

I say, covering after the surface is hinged is like putting on your underwear after you put your pants on.

Sure, it can be done, but why go through the hassle?

Cover first, then hinge. If you want to seal the gap afterward, it''s still an easy thing to do.

Thanks for the advice, Mike. I appreciate it. I had sensed that this was an area where you and Ken have agreed to disagree!

His method seemed to work so well for me on my first plane what I want to check in with him to see what his current thinking is.

Frank

Well, you know, we HAD to disagree on SOMETHING!

I agree [>:].

I have to agree with MinnFlyer, cover first and then hinge. Just a personal prefrence thing I suppose. Good Luck, Dave

The main reason to cover first (I do cut hinge slots before covering and dry fit everything) is because it is very difficult to work the covering into the hinge slot if you hinge first.

Fishin Geezer, rumor has it you soloed last week. I hope it''s true.

Thanks for your ideas, guys. I''m still trying to decide.

oldvet70

It depends on how you define solo. I did take off three times, fly around for a while, then land (sort of) three times. But Jack had the master transmitter all the time while I had the trainer box. So I''m not sure that''s really soloing, but close!

I'd say that's close. When your ready, take off and land to a full stop 3 times (touch and go does not count) without the buddy box connected and then you''ll really be soloed. Sounds like your almost there.

Yes, Minn and I disagree on whether to hinge first. I prefer to hinge first and then cover. I do this so that the piece of covering that is used to seal the gap is under the covering when you cover the plane. Follow these links to see how I did this on the LT-40 build thread that I did a couple of years ago. It''s really not that hard to do it this way. Minn''s just trying to make me look bad!!!

In my [link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_3439708/tm.htm]Pay It Forward build thread!! LT-40 build [/link] thread I addressed sealing gaps in the thread. You can find the sections in the build by following these links.
Aileron gap sealing starts here:
[link]http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5398504[/link]
Rudder/Elevator sealing starts here
[link]http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5589251[/link]

Ken

That''s too easy

RCKen and Minnflyer, your endless resources are simply amazing. It''s really a pleasure knowing that we can get advice from guys who not only have tons of experience, but are involved in RC magazines and product reviews, etc. We are really getting advice from the best in the business. Thanks!

Thank YOU Kat

Definitely thank you Kat.

Ken

Hi Ken

Thanks for the response.

As I said, your "Pay it Forward" thread was an inspiration to me. I followed it closely and it really made my plane fly well. Now I have to decide how to do my second plane. I guess either method works well but it''s pretty hard to change a winner!!

oldvet70

That's how I see it. Thursday is looking good so if I can get Jack or my friend George Robinson to come along as a spotter (or as an alternate flyer) I''ll try to get that solo flight done for real.

Frank

I've decided to cover first then assemble. The only way I'll learn and form my own opinion is to try it, so there you go. If I don't like my gaps I can always cover them after the fact.
Thanks all.

Frank

Frank, if you're using CA hinges, read this:

http://www.rcuniverse.com/magazine/a...m?article_id55

Thanks for the help, Mike, but your link didn't work. And I haven't figured out how to search the Magazine articles. Would you try again please. I do plan to use CA hinges.

Frank

That's weird, must be a bug in the new system.

Click the Magazine tab at the top - Go to "Search Articles" and select "How-To's"

Then go to Page 2 - it's the very last one

Thanks, Mike. That got it for me.
Actually I'd seen that before and it was very helpful. In that article you also wrote "Let's face it, no matter how small the gap is, it still needs to be sealed." Hmmmmm! Am I misunderstanding that statement??

I've also watched carefully where you demonstrated the process in your Get Airborne videos and I think I've got it. I did a practice hinge on scrap wood and it worked just as you describe.

thanks again

Frank

I wrote that a long time ago - since then I have stopped sealing hinge lines. I just don't see the need for it.

That said, I recenty picked up a BUSA Northstar at an auction that has those nylon pinned ninges which left gaps that you could drive a car through - I plan to seal those up!

Understood!!

Frank