Im interested in building a kit. I have previously only built arfs.. My question is this... What exactly are t-pins for? I've read about people pinning things to the table. Could someone please elaborate on this for me? Thanks

I have a ceiling tile on top of my building table that I use to stick T-pins in. I first lay out the plans, cover them with wax paper then build right on the plans using t-pins to help hold every thing down. the wax paper prevents glueing every thing to your plans. Thats my short answer!!

Pins help a lot on building. The way I use them, I first PIN the plans on a soft top table. Then PIN wax paper on top of the plans, so glue wont damage the plans. Then I PIN the lower spar on top of the plans. Then PIN the ribs in their position on top of the spar and tack them with CA glue.... so on and so forth.... It helps to have everything aligned the way it should.

Hope it helped

That's a good "short" answer, bearmech

I can only add - some people using magnetic boards for the same purpose: to keep parts together AND UNMOVING while glue cures. I did not tried magnetic board. And as for which method you choose – it is a personal preference.

Good luck with your “boards and sticks” project!!!

The best building pins in the world are from Hobby Lobby and are called modeling pins. They have large yellow heads and the point has a super long sharp taper. They are sooo much nicer than "T" pins.

I have found that no matter how careful you are with your plans, wax paper and all, they get damaged. I get a 1:1 copy and use them as my working plans. Keep the original away from all modeling supplies, coffee, coke, etc.

How do you make copies of the plans?

Khlash:

You spell it K-I-N-K-O-'-S.

Bill.