Where have all the builders gone
01-31-2015, 12:52 PM
#326
The wife and family have been trying to get me to give up my Harley so i am building a trike . She seen the 45 trike rear end for the build in the garage last fall and asked about it and all the other parts i have saved up and i told her it was for a cool swing set iam building soon for my grandkids.:-) lol
01-31-2015, 01:36 PM
#329
I am in Plainfield, Caton Farm & County line RD, Do you fly out of the Joliet Club ? I am good friends with Tony M.
Till next time,Jerry B
01-31-2015, 02:27 PM
#330
GrayBeard, That what I want for a work shop. That big bandsaw isjust the thing we need. The was a kit to adapt a Radial Arm saw into one of those sanders, man wish I had one now.
01-31-2015, 03:10 PM
#331
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The question should ask also; where are all the scratch builders. I am 52 and still makin planes from scratch! We are even MORE rare than just your average kit builder. Puttin the covering on a DGA designs Quartermaster. 2nd one I did. Powered by a Hobby King NGH 35R engine that has got 4.2 HP!!! It should go straight up. Just wanted you to know....
01-31-2015, 03:41 PM
#332
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Scratch building has been rare sense the 60s. At one point I had a Vemco drafting machine and drew my own designs. If I could ever learn CAD I would maybe do it again but I have been able to find plans I liked without the need.
Acdii, the shop is fantastic and been a blessing. When I was still in So. Cal. a couple of the local high schools had adult ed classes and they had the wood shop open at night, something to look into.
I spent several hours in there again today but it was just cutting small parts. This kit uses so many different thicknesses of wood it's taking me a long time to cut these kits. Cutting and sanding the parts is easy but with all these sizes and doing two kits at the same time it's a pain.To make the elevators it calls for 3/16 thick wood but I have to rip four sheets then sand to size, glue the sheets together then glue on the templates, cut the parts then sand.
I'm almost finished with the balsa parts with only a couple of odd ball sizes then I can go onto the hardwood/ply parts. That wood I don't bother to cut to size. Michale's craft store sells some of the best ply I have found and it's cheaper then ordering it from a supply house. Again, a lot of different thicknesses but Michale's has the sheets in different sizes so I don't need to buy so much wood. I also have no thick 36 inch sheets so I will have to buy the sheeting for the fuse sides and wing sheeting.
The club was started 8 years ago and we own all of the equipment. The club makes enough money from outside projects that we upgrade the equipment when something better comes along. All of our equipment is high dollar stuff and that one saw could bankrupt a home wood worker.
My wife found this community on a trip here and brought me here to check the place out before we bought. The wood shop was a big plus. You should see all the other things we have here.
Age restricted though and you have to be at least 55 years old just to buy a home here. THey are really stinkers about that too.
Acdii, the shop is fantastic and been a blessing. When I was still in So. Cal. a couple of the local high schools had adult ed classes and they had the wood shop open at night, something to look into.
I spent several hours in there again today but it was just cutting small parts. This kit uses so many different thicknesses of wood it's taking me a long time to cut these kits. Cutting and sanding the parts is easy but with all these sizes and doing two kits at the same time it's a pain.To make the elevators it calls for 3/16 thick wood but I have to rip four sheets then sand to size, glue the sheets together then glue on the templates, cut the parts then sand.
I'm almost finished with the balsa parts with only a couple of odd ball sizes then I can go onto the hardwood/ply parts. That wood I don't bother to cut to size. Michale's craft store sells some of the best ply I have found and it's cheaper then ordering it from a supply house. Again, a lot of different thicknesses but Michale's has the sheets in different sizes so I don't need to buy so much wood. I also have no thick 36 inch sheets so I will have to buy the sheeting for the fuse sides and wing sheeting.
The club was started 8 years ago and we own all of the equipment. The club makes enough money from outside projects that we upgrade the equipment when something better comes along. All of our equipment is high dollar stuff and that one saw could bankrupt a home wood worker.
My wife found this community on a trip here and brought me here to check the place out before we bought. The wood shop was a big plus. You should see all the other things we have here.
Age restricted though and you have to be at least 55 years old just to buy a home here. THey are really stinkers about that too.
01-31-2015, 03:59 PM
#333
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I'm a new builder to the pool of builders! I think there are plenty of builders like mentioned earlier they just don't do build threads. You can say there are two typs of builders, the ones that post build threads of all there builds sharing there build and then the ones that just build and don't share there builds. This hobby no mater how advanced it gets will still always have builders, just not as many will post build logs.
TB
TB
01-31-2015, 04:13 PM
#334
I'm a new builder to the pool of builders! I think there are plenty of builders like mentioned earlier they just don't do build threads. You can say there are two typs of builders, the ones that post build threads of all there builds sharing there build and then the ones that just build and don't share there builds. This hobby no mater how advanced it gets will still always have builders, just not as many will post build logs.
TB
TB
aut Oh now I'm in trouble
01-31-2015, 04:58 PM
#337
I think there are more scratch builders than you would think. Again, this depends on what your definition is. I consider a scratch build, one that is built to plans, where no kit exists. Even though you may have had parts cut from a "kit" cutter. These builds have no instructions generally, and require you to figure out all of the processes to complete the construction. Where as with a kit, you have step by step instructions leading you all the way to a finished plane.
With the disappearance of the kits, and our desire to build bigger more obscure designs, scratch building is more common.
Then designing, where you draw your plans, then scratch build your design, that is a whole other beast. My experiences here involved competition designs. CL and RC combat, Pylon racing and such. That is a very rewarding endeavor, and at some point, I may decide to do this with a Scale competition model. The designer class in scale competition has few entries, and this would also qualify the model for FAI.
My current project is a scratch built 1/5th scale TA 152, from David Andersen plans. A very challenging project for me, and it is testing my skill and experience. While I did have a kit cutter cut my parts, they were almost all junk, and had to recut most of the kit myself. You must be careful choosing these services. There are some bad apples out there.
With the disappearance of the kits, and our desire to build bigger more obscure designs, scratch building is more common.
Then designing, where you draw your plans, then scratch build your design, that is a whole other beast. My experiences here involved competition designs. CL and RC combat, Pylon racing and such. That is a very rewarding endeavor, and at some point, I may decide to do this with a Scale competition model. The designer class in scale competition has few entries, and this would also qualify the model for FAI.
My current project is a scratch built 1/5th scale TA 152, from David Andersen plans. A very challenging project for me, and it is testing my skill and experience. While I did have a kit cutter cut my parts, they were almost all junk, and had to recut most of the kit myself. You must be careful choosing these services. There are some bad apples out there.
01-31-2015, 05:37 PM
#338
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I mentioned this topic in post 289 and other then scale masters and some of the IMAA events I have gone to you won't find a lot of true scratch builders that are just sport pilots. As much building as I have done I don't even build true scale, stand off scale I have done a lot of but they don't call them masters for nothing and I won't spend the time building scale. In my area there just aren't any people I feel I need to impress not to mention the added cost.
Acdii, this is what I have cut so far. I just came in after hand sanding the slots in the ribs for the wing spars. When I cut the spars I left then rough so they can be hand sanded for a perfect fit. I used a piece of spar wood and just used contact cement and glued a piece of sand paper to one side and flush sanded the slots. The spars will stand a bit proud to the ribs, just the thickness of the sand paper.
That stack is 44 ribs and the other parts are either two or four depending on how many are needed.
The kit form Blue Jay is only around $100.00 and that includes the canopy. When the planes are finished though the cost will be about $50.00 per plane depending on what the builder has on hand. In my case pretty much everything including a set of Spring Air Retracks. I have a canopy from the last one I built and have plenty of covering as long as I want another yellow plane. I'm really sick of yellow though so I will order something different from Hobby King. Mine will cost me about $20.00 due to the extra wood I will have to buy that I don't have on hand.
Acdii, this is what I have cut so far. I just came in after hand sanding the slots in the ribs for the wing spars. When I cut the spars I left then rough so they can be hand sanded for a perfect fit. I used a piece of spar wood and just used contact cement and glued a piece of sand paper to one side and flush sanded the slots. The spars will stand a bit proud to the ribs, just the thickness of the sand paper.
That stack is 44 ribs and the other parts are either two or four depending on how many are needed.
The kit form Blue Jay is only around $100.00 and that includes the canopy. When the planes are finished though the cost will be about $50.00 per plane depending on what the builder has on hand. In my case pretty much everything including a set of Spring Air Retracks. I have a canopy from the last one I built and have plenty of covering as long as I want another yellow plane. I'm really sick of yellow though so I will order something different from Hobby King. Mine will cost me about $20.00 due to the extra wood I will have to buy that I don't have on hand.
01-31-2015, 05:56 PM
#340
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I had just mentioned Dalton in a thread and wasn't sure if they were still making the big kits, looks like they are still cutting. One of the guys here had the big Extra, outstanding flying machine. When he was getting ready to quit flying giants he had it for sale and the price made it the best deal in town. Of course I didn't have the money but they make a fantastic plane.
01-31-2015, 05:58 PM
#341
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yep, tony russo in Arizona is still cutting them out, and selling a ton of them. very popular airplanes with IMAC scene, in addition to Cardens, Jtec Radiowaves, and few others. The Dalton in particular was very straightforward, and if i can build one, anyone can!!!
01-31-2015, 05:59 PM
#342
We have around 4-5 warbird events in CO each summer. There are a lot of builders that attend these events. The top event would be the Warbirds over the Rockies. The warbird events sort of stem from scale, just not as serious necessarily.
I would like to note that scale model competition is not building exact duplicates of full scale, it is building to match documentation submitted to the judges. The documentation does not have to be accurate necessarily, but the model must match the documents, from 15' away no less. Only designer scale judges cockpits etc. These rules apply to the Scale masters, AMA, and Top gun.
I would like to note that scale model competition is not building exact duplicates of full scale, it is building to match documentation submitted to the judges. The documentation does not have to be accurate necessarily, but the model must match the documents, from 15' away no less. Only designer scale judges cockpits etc. These rules apply to the Scale masters, AMA, and Top gun.
01-31-2015, 06:35 PM
#343
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My AMA is 49101, so you can figure out how long I have been a builder. Only a few kits over the years. I found that kits usually suck and scratch building is far easier. Besides, why pay the price of a kit when you can build a bigger plane for 1/2 the price. I never build to plans because I never build planes the size they were designed. If I like the looks of something I just build it - in any size I like - and that is usually between 6 and 8' wingspan. It is so easy to sketch out your own outline of the plane you want and then just build it…
For whatever reason I never spent any time on RC forums until about 8 months ago. What time I did spend on line was on woodworking and telescope forums. Since finally discovering the RC forums I have spent some time writing build threads and enjoying the conversations with other builders.
My current project, the fifth in the last 9 months, is a 72" version of the the old Top Flight Contender, powered by a 1.08 glow. Just now covering it. On my blog are some photos of scratch built planes from the last 45 years. Give it a try and you will be surprised at just how easy it can be to build your own plane that is far lighter, stronger, and will last for years instead of quickly falling apart - like most of the dogs people are spending big bucks on today.
Kit cutters? What are you guys talking about? The only kit cutter I am familiar with is my antique Dremel Moto Tool.
For whatever reason I never spent any time on RC forums until about 8 months ago. What time I did spend on line was on woodworking and telescope forums. Since finally discovering the RC forums I have spent some time writing build threads and enjoying the conversations with other builders.
My current project, the fifth in the last 9 months, is a 72" version of the the old Top Flight Contender, powered by a 1.08 glow. Just now covering it. On my blog are some photos of scratch built planes from the last 45 years. Give it a try and you will be surprised at just how easy it can be to build your own plane that is far lighter, stronger, and will last for years instead of quickly falling apart - like most of the dogs people are spending big bucks on today.
Kit cutters? What are you guys talking about? The only kit cutter I am familiar with is my antique Dremel Moto Tool.
Last edited by tomclark; 01-31-2015 at 06:47 PM.
01-31-2015, 06:42 PM
#344
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I been building for over 50 years this a scratch biult p51 B. I do half kits and about half scratch from .my own plans . I just picked up a four star 60 kit and a older Lanier laser 200 1/4 scale kit and just picked up the FG cowls for both
i I retired about a year ago and have time now to build and fly RC . There seems to be more kits showing up now than a few years ago . Hope it continues .
01-31-2015, 07:54 PM
#345
I've got a project for you guys, some of you may not have seen. This is a Royal/Marutaka Corsair I did several years back, I still have the plane in perfect condition! I scratch built it using Royal plans, and I mean I scratch built everything, I even made the pilot figure and everything else in the cockpit. I vaccum formed the pilot figure, made a pattern for his clothes and sewed his uniform, made all the straps and buckles, the ladies in the fabric store were very curious about me! The pilot head is from a small WWF figure I found at Walmart. I scratch built the tail wheel out of PC board, and it has a functional shock and tail hook. I made the molds for the drop tanks out of a 2x4 I spun on my lathe. The cockpit is all my design and vacuum formed. All gear doors are functional. I made the Lucky Strike pack on the dash! It's got all panel lines and rivets along with simulated fabric on the wings and tail feathers. It is the 1/8 scale 61" wing version. It is a great flying plane on a Rimfire 120, with the 6S pack no lead was needed in the nose.
01-31-2015, 08:09 PM
#347
I've got a project for you guys, some of you may not have seen. This is a Royal/Marutaka Corsair I did several years back, I still have the plane in perfect condition! I scratch built it using Royal plans, and I mean I scratch built everything, I even made the pilot figure and everything else in the cockpit. I vaccum formed the pilot figure, made a pattern for his clothes and sewed his uniform, made all the straps and buckles, the ladies in the fabric store were very curious about me! The pilot head is from a small WWF figure I found at Walmart. I scratch built the tail wheel out of PC board, and it has a functional shock and tail hook. I made the molds for the drop tanks out of a 2x4 I spun on my lathe. The cockpit is all my design and vacuum formed. All gear doors are functional. I made the Lucky Strike pack on the dash! It's got all panel lines and rivets along with simulated fabric on the wings and tail feathers. It is the 1/8 scale 61" wing version. It is a great flying plane on a Rimfire 120, with the 6S pack no lead was needed in the nose.
Very nice! love the corsair.
02-01-2015, 12:36 AM
#348
Tomclark, your workspace is amazing as well as your skills, I hope your passing them along
diony, very nice craftsmanship. I hope these forums succeed in inspiring more people to bring back the American pride!
diony, very nice craftsmanship. I hope these forums succeed in inspiring more people to bring back the American pride!
02-01-2015, 07:49 AM
#349
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Like to build..... Just finished a tower uproar converted to electric. Am now building a great planes 40 slow poke. Powered by a magnum . 46 2 cycle. Build in the winter and fly in the summer months. That's what we do here in PA . Kits are getting scarce any more with all the foamie stuff out there. Keep on build'n guys we are the backbone of this hobby.....RON
02-01-2015, 08:01 AM
#350
Like to build..... Just finished a tower uproar converted to electric. Am now building a great planes 40 slow poke. Powered by a magnum . 46 2 cycle. Build in the winter and fly in the summer months. That's what we do here in PA . Kits are getting scarce any more with all the foamie stuff out there. Keep on build'n guys we are the backbone of this hobby.....RON
