Balancing ARF in longitudinal axis
 

I need some inputs on how to balance an ARF plane in the longitudinal axis (nose-to-tail axis). I normally hold the spinner and the tail by hand and watch how the wing tilts. The question is how do I add weight to the wing tip when the covering is already on ? The easiest way is just to stick a lead weight using double sided tape, of course the weight is a bit of an eye sore! Is there a better and more elegant way ? I figure that adding weight to the wing tip makes more sense than anywhere else as I can minimise the total weight of the plane. Thanks for the inputs !................ :)

Balancing ARF in longitudinal axis
 

Add helium to the heavy wing. Works every time! :D

You could cut a small hole in the tip, coat some lead fishing weights in Epoxy, and drop it into the hole. Make sure they get attached to some wood. Then use a small patch. This might be better than the helium idea, but you never know!

Balancing ARF in longitudinal axis
 

Re the lead weights. I always shave the lead into small thin pieces befor slipping them into the wing. If you want to add weight without cutting a slit in your covering just use epoxy. You can buy industrial hyperdermic syringes fill it with 30 min epoxy and inject it into the wing at the tip. then stand the wing on its tip till epoxy sets.

Balancing ARF in longitudinal axis
 

Nice idea!

Balancing ARF in longitudinal axis
 

What I have done before is to either paint the weight the color of the covering or to apply a piece of covering over the weight once it is applied.

While this is not the most cosmetic approach, it is functional.

Balancing ARF in longitudinal axis
 

That hypodermic syringes is great ides.

Balancing ARF in longitudinal axis
 

I like the syringe Idea if you don't need too much weight, but a good deal of weight needed could run into $$$ with epoxy. I do the fishing weights (Split Shots) and epoxy. Drop them into a hole in the bottom of the wingtip, then apply a patch of covering or even scotch tape (what the heck, tiny hole on the underside of the wing, who's gonna see it?)