What part of the build do you like the least?
02-23-2009, 10:54 AM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2008
Location: bellingham,
MA
Posts: 828
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
What part of the build do you like the least?
I pretty much enjoy all of it EXCEPT, Sanding the bevel on the control surfaces.
I dont know why but I've been putting it off, I started last night.
I even made a larger version of the tool they have you assemble from the kit that guides the sand paper.
2nd worst is setting up the front wheel. always have trouble figuring out where to file the flat spot on the shaft.
Steve
I dont know why but I've been putting it off, I started last night.
I even made a larger version of the tool they have you assemble from the kit that guides the sand paper.
2nd worst is setting up the front wheel. always have trouble figuring out where to file the flat spot on the shaft.
Steve
02-23-2009, 11:15 AM
#2
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Westford,
MA
Posts: 1,809
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: What part of the build do you like the least?
The maiden.
Seriously, I think I enjoy all of it, and the parts I dreaded on my first builds are the parts that I have worked harder to improve on and now look forward to, like covering and hinging.
I probably least enjoy the installation of the control horns, pushrods, etc...
Seriously, I think I enjoy all of it, and the parts I dreaded on my first builds are the parts that I have worked harder to improve on and now look forward to, like covering and hinging.
I probably least enjoy the installation of the control horns, pushrods, etc...
02-23-2009, 11:25 AM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Litchfield, MI
Posts: 5,130
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: What part of the build do you like the least?
I'm with Gray Beard, the sanding part to get ready for the covering. I see somewhere on RCU that the differnce between a good plane and and great one is (sandpaper). Boy, how true that is.
02-23-2009, 11:46 AM
#5
RE: What part of the build do you like the least?
I'll agree on the above, the sanding. [:'(] Every partially completed project sitting in the corner of the shop is ready to be sanded. If I am going to stall out on a build it's more than likely going to be at the sanding part of it.
Ken
Ken
02-23-2009, 12:07 PM
#6
Senior Member
RE: What part of the build do you like the least?
For me it is covering, I can sand and finish and install gear all day, I just don't have it for covering, I know how to do it, but I don't like to do it and I am not very good at doing it.
02-23-2009, 12:10 PM
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: , GA
Posts: 428
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: What part of the build do you like the least?
I dunno why, but I always dread drilling holes for the engine mount - both the mounts and the firewall.
They never seem to come out perfect. I always end up "enlarging" one or more holes by a little.
Maybe I should just use a larger bit to start with?
They never seem to come out perfect. I always end up "enlarging" one or more holes by a little.
Maybe I should just use a larger bit to start with?
02-23-2009, 12:32 PM
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 608
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: What part of the build do you like the least?
Dang, yall listed everything right off!...almost. I get frustrated by anything that is less than clear in the instructions or out of step. While I truly enjoy watching the plane come together I still dread epoxying the wing halves, drilling holes (expecially if space challenged), getting the surfaces in alignment with one another, etc. Covering anything other than a flat easy to access area is tough too.
But when it first clears the ground and arrives back safely; everything suddenly seems worthwhile.
But when it first clears the ground and arrives back safely; everything suddenly seems worthwhile.
02-23-2009, 01:03 PM
#10
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Pittsfield,
MA
Posts: 1,610
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: What part of the build do you like the least?
What I hate most is a toss up between beveling/hinging and sanding/filling/final sanding.
What I love the most is a toss up between the covering and the final assembly (the joys of seeing the finished product you made with your own hands)
What I love the most is a toss up between the covering and the final assembly (the joys of seeing the finished product you made with your own hands)
02-23-2009, 01:17 PM
#11
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: south, NORWAY
Posts: 618
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: What part of the build do you like the least?
Engine mounting is the worst! Sheeting wings really is boring too. Covering is the most fun I think! Thats when you get the finished result off all those hours of building! 
02-23-2009, 01:45 PM
#13
Banned
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Lacona,
NY
Posts: 1,159
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: What part of the build do you like the least?
I don't mind the sanding or covering... but I think what I don't like the most is grinding out complicated fiberglass cowels. I tend to want it perfect and it takes me forever. I've had the fiberglass chip on me when I hand sand around what I've dremeled. I think a good looking plane all depends on how well the cowel is cut for the air vent, high end needle valve and sometimes the head of the engine. [:'(]
02-23-2009, 02:29 PM
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Sambach,
AE, GERMANY
Posts: 842
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: What part of the build do you like the least?
Someone beat me to it already but definately cutting cowls is one of my least favorite. Its pretty hard to cover up a mistake on a fancy fiberglass cowling once you aready made a nasty hack job out of it. I have gotten alot better at it over the years though. Alot of pattience and preperation goes a long way when doing a cowl. Probably my least favorite though is drilling holes for control horns. Trying to keep the drill bit straight on a beveled surface SUCKS! I was thrilled when I got my Chinn Yak and it had Two piece control horns the required no drilling and the elevator had a single control horn. Great job Extreme Flight!
02-23-2009, 03:16 PM
#16
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Calimesa,
CA
Posts: 923
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: What part of the build do you like the least?
ORIGINAL: Popriv
I pretty much enjoy all of it EXCEPT, Sanding the bevel on the control surfaces.
I dont know why but I've been putting it off, I started last night.
I even made a larger version of the tool they have you assemble from the kit that guides the sand paper.
2nd worst is setting up the front wheel. always have trouble figuring out where to file the flat spot on the shaft.
Steve
I pretty much enjoy all of it EXCEPT, Sanding the bevel on the control surfaces.
I dont know why but I've been putting it off, I started last night.
I even made a larger version of the tool they have you assemble from the kit that guides the sand paper.
2nd worst is setting up the front wheel. always have trouble figuring out where to file the flat spot on the shaft.
Steve
By the way, on the last two kits I built, I glued 1/4 tri-stock to the LE of the control surfaces. Just have to flush sand the edge of the tri-stock to the control surface. Works great.
02-23-2009, 03:26 PM
#17
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2008
Location: bellingham,
MA
Posts: 828
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: What part of the build do you like the least?
[/quote]
I don't care for the sanding part, so I only do a little at a time. Keeps me from hating it.[:@]
By the way, on the last two kits I built, I glued 1/4 tri-stock to the LE of the control surfaces. Just have to flush sand the edge of the tri-stock to the control surface. Works great.
[/quote]
Good Idea! to late for this one but I'll remember that!
Steve
02-23-2009, 04:22 PM
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Bogota, COLOMBIA
Posts: 538
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: What part of the build do you like the least?
Everything related to sanding. I can never seem to get an even finish and it ends up frustrating me specially because I don't like to cover just tacking the edges and stretching. I like to iron the covering to all of the possible surfaces and when they're not properly sanded the covering looks odd.
02-23-2009, 04:50 PM
#19
Senior Member
RE: What part of the build do you like the least?
Canopy is the worst part, it can get dirty, scratched, glue, not sealed, covering around it and so much more...
Horns I dislike too, these two holes never parallel to each other.
Nose gear is also a bitter candy.
Working inside a narrow radio compartment is not fun.
Putting the airplane on a CG machine has nasty surprises like adding lead…
Sanding doesnt bother me, I really like it leaving it to the end… and doing it all at once.
Covering I really like too it’s the biggest noticeable difference and after that the airplane is ready for maiden [8D]
Horns I dislike too, these two holes never parallel to each other.
Nose gear is also a bitter candy.
Working inside a narrow radio compartment is not fun.
Putting the airplane on a CG machine has nasty surprises like adding lead…
Sanding doesnt bother me, I really like it
leaving it to the end… and doing it all at once.Covering I really like too it’s the biggest noticeable difference and after that the airplane is ready for maiden [8D]
02-23-2009, 04:57 PM
#20
Senior Member
My Feedback: (3)
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Bloomington,
MN
Posts: 3,282
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: What part of the build do you like the least?
Like Ken, the sanding is what gets me. I've got a couple of projects that are still projects just because I dislike the next step (sanding) and I can't get myself motivated to do it.
