lyvewire

Well, i have been out of the hobby for over 15 years, and i just bought another trainer kit (PT-20MKII from tower hobbies) to get back into flying. I am keeping it old school and building the first one to fly again like i did when i was 10 or 11 years old. My dad said i would respect RC flying more that way. Anyways, it's been forever and I haven't built a plane in a long time, I didn't know they had different CA glue for different jobs...would be nice to see a "building a kit - basic beginner" must know and how-to'.

So, Thin CA glue is for hinges? When do i use medium CA? When do i use thick CA? Also what does everyone use to build these things on? I mean i have to stick T-pins in this thing right? I used a card table back then, but i spilled glue on it and etc...got unlevel and you know the drill, crooked unlevel wings. Had to do them twice.

What are some basic beginner building tips that every new or "been-a-while-kit-builders" should know first?
Sorry if this is already somewhere on here and i missed it. Thanks in advance.

QuinnG

I think if a decent list was made with some description, this would make a good sticky as I am also curious about this and would love to get a kit to build. I've got no idea what to do to get started though. I read that people use something that the pins can stick into, like dry-wall or some kind of board, and wax paper on top of the plans so that the parts don't get glued to everything.

mattnew

My Feedback: (2)

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/kit-...ky-needed.html

start here, start building, figure out the specific questions as you have them and ask away, there are lots of people here willing to help.

build flat, build straight, take your time... and ask questions BEFORE you glue... harder to go back after you glue.

3136

If you follow a lot of the builds you will pick up a heap of good info.
I often read threads of planes I don't even like just to see how a different frame goes together.
If you ask a question in someones build thread they will be more than happy to explain what they did and why.
A good kit to start with is the Balsa USA trainer, it's designed to teach building http://shop.balsausa.com/product_p/426.htm

smithcreek

My Feedback: (25)

Have you read the manual that comes with the kit? The GP PT kit instructions are VERY detailed and answer just about every question you can think of including different CA applications. You can pay for download some video instructions from a sticky put out by one of the mods if visual aids will help. I did, mainly because I wanted to have all the info I could, but if you are good with written instructions the manual goes into much more detail and does not miss anything covered in the video.

lyvewire

I was just thinking of making a general this is what newbie builder should read first. Like how to get the dyhedral angle correct and what tools help and such

QuinnG

A sticky on this topic wouldn't be a bad idea, but that thread linked earlier has a lot of helpful info.

What about someone who isn't building their first plane to fly, but their first actual build of a plane? When I build a plane, it won't be for training purposes and I'd like to build something a little more complex, but I'm a little intimidated by doing this as I have never built a plane from a kit or plans.

3136

If you are intimidated by building then maybe build a small guillows kit, it's only a static model, but you can get the feel for it and build up confidence, at $15 you can build a few and with each one you will be better at cutting/fitting parts.
Then maybe build a sig 4 star 60, or a balsa USA eindecker, both easy kits with good manuals

tailskid

My Feedback: (34)

Didn't Sig have a brochure that was along that line....for newbies????

saramos

Try www.airfieldmodels.com
It's a wealth of information for builders.

Scott

foodstick

I always like to add this, IF you build with lots of CA glues make sure to get good ventilation, I built for quite awhile with it in an apartment and made myself allergic to it .. Its bad, don't do this to yourself.

FlyerInOKC

My Feedback: (6)

And if you do start to have a reaction to CA switch to foam safe type. It has a different base and most people allergic to CA (me included) can use it.

Gray Beard

My Feedback: (-1)

A sticky on first time building would be a hard one to find or write, there are a lot of different ways to do it and most builders have a favorite. One fellow once asked what tools he should have and it turned into a lot of pages over time and the fellow would have ended up with a complete wood shop. That happens a lot on any RC site. I use a soft pine board to build on with wood braces on the bottom to keep it from warping. Before any major builds I run the board through an overhead sander, not a lot of folks have that option. I use several different types of glues but for the most part thin CA. It's used when gluing tight fitting balsa to balsa. I also use Gorilla glue, carpenters wood glues and just started using Sigment again. Epoxy is another one, 30 minute most the time but there are several others. A basic building thread on RCU could run into book form. As smith mentioned, the instructions will get you started and then you can ask questions here. Be warned in advance, there will be a lot of different answers and you will have to pick the one that you like best. Just one of the problems with asking hundreds of people a question. Don't forget, there is a search engine on RCU and most the questions have already been asked and answered in depth over the years.

VincentJ

You will make mistakes along your first build, do not get discouraged if the outcome isn't what you expected. Have fun with it, you will learn with each stick that you add to your build. In no time your builds will be a thing of beauty. You will quickly find what works from the advice from others and what dosn't. You'll also find out what tools that you will need to make your building go smoother. Single most important thing that you need to start out with though is a good stable flat building surface that is well lighted... Good luck and have fun!

FlyerInOKC

My Feedback: (6)

If you want a cheap building surface an old hollowcore door will work or a good piece of drywall. I have building for the last 9 years on a 2 X 4 foot piece of 1/2" drywall sitting on a card table. I taped the cut edges and cover it with plastic wrap.