Im getting a Sig Kadet LT-40 kit to build over the winter. I went to the tower hobbies web site to see what is need to build it, they have a Great Planes C.G. Machine and a Great Planes AccuThrow Deflection Meter in the section "Needed to Build".
Do I really need these tools to build this kit? Its my starting out plane kit that Ive decided to build instead of the rtf or arf so I can learn as I go.

thanks, chris

No way. Go ahead build straight and have fun. By the time you are finished you will have a grip on where the center of gravity should be and control deflections can be measured with a ruler or tape measure. I built a wooden stand with the top curved(about 1/2 " radius)and sit the model on it moving it until it is level....that is where the center of gravity or CG as commonly referred to is.

The C.G. (center of gravity) balancer is a good thing to have. It's used to balance your bird, forward and aft. In the your instruction manual you'lle notice that it gives you a C.G. point to work with: IE) 4.25" from leading edge...

This is a tool you will use on future planes. I would suggest getting it.

The other is to help adjust your control throws, IE) making sure your ailerons/rudder/stab moves enough in each direction. You can avoid purchasing this especially for a trainer but dont get me wrong, this is also important but I would say skip it for now, just make sure you have your instructor look the plane over to make sure you have enough or that you dont have to much.

ap

I always balance my planes on my fingertips. I've checked this method against the CG machine that I own and have always been close enough that I don't bother using the machine. I certainly wouldn't spend the money for the Deflection Meter. That's simply a useless "gadget". You can accomplish the same thing by holding a ruler at the trailing edge of the surface, or if you're anal about accuracy, hold one of the clear protractors out at the tip.
Dennis-

Don't get sucked into all that crap that the mail order houses try to sell you. If you do decide to need them, it won't be until the aircraft is completed, so you don't have to order them right away.
The kit will have a list of what is really needed included with it. You may be able to find all the info at SIG's website. If you have a local hobby shop, you go there and see the kit for yourself, and get some advice about what is needed.
All you really need to get started is the kit, CA glue or white glue, 30-min epoxy, a hobby knife, maybe a hobby saw, T-pins, sandpaper and some small clamps or clothes pins. You can get a long way into the build, and then decide what you really need.

Don't waste your money. A trainer can be balanced on one's finger tips just fine. Get the kit, some thin and medium CA glue, epoxy and some basic cutting sanding tools, and egt started! Have fun its a great hobby!

A cheap, CG machine can be made for next to nothing. This will allow you to "trial place" your weight at your leisure. Just a couple new pencils, and some scrap 2X4 pieces, or ?. I also put those slip-on, tapered replacement erasers on the pencils.
I would also check lateral balance.......with the wing on. I know some will disagree and say this is not necessary with a trainer. I just feel it only takes a few minutes and only pennies to feel YOU have done all you can do to have it balanced. All wood is not the same in density. Therefore, a plane could have a lot of heavier wood on the same side as the muffler, thus compounding a possible balance problem. I made a couple "pedestal type" stands, (again of scrap wood), shim these stands so the wheels are about 1 inch from a surface. (your bench or table etc). Take off the prop and rest the crank on one....... and rest the tail on the other one. I have a "dull" nail protruding from the tail stand. I also cut a slot and put a razor blade in the "nose stand" for a
bearing point. I made this lateral balancer for my first trainer and have used it on the 7 planes since.
PS... I did make a new CG machine from 3/4 ply and aluminum arrow shafts. The design is much different..... it's kind of like the one in the catalogs. The maximum plane weight on this is about 12 lbs. The 4* 120 in my avatar had the arrowshafts flexing pretty good!! Good luck........lownslo

I agree with boogalloo.

Both are useful devices, both would be worthwhile additions to your tool kit, but the deflection meter can wait. I feel, however, that the CG machine is important.

While the other suggestions about fingers, custom stands, etc., undoubtedly work, the Great Plane CG Machine is an ingenious gadget that gives you a pretty precise idea just where your model's center of gravity is. If you wish, you can get by by with the TLAR method and fingers.

Proper balance is quite important. It can mean the difference between a model that flies great or like a pig.


.

I'm glad to see that so many of you think like me.

No, you don't need those items.

Look at it this way, every time you tighten a bolt, there is a troque value that is optimum. Too much torque and you can strip the threads, too little, and the bolt can come loose. But do you go out and buy a torque wrench to tighten all of your bolts? No, it's a handy tool if you need to be THAT exact, but in most cases, we just don't need to be.

I have to also agree that you do not need these things to build or fly your plane as there are alot of ways to accomplish the same tasks with out them. I would however advise you to put some of them on your Birthday and or Holiday wish list. The CG machine and the dead center tool for motor mounts are the slickest things since fruit punch. I have been in this hobby for over 30 years and I have balanced my planes using many different methods. I have had my CG machine for awhile now and I will not do it any other way now. It allows me to fine tune my CG if I want to and to remember what it is set at if I want to change it a little. The dead center tool is another tool that was to long in coming. I have not screwed up a motor mount in years. Great Planes has devoloped alot of tools that were a long time in coming and as your experiance level get's higher you will want to look at some of them. I think I have all of them and use them all. The hinge cutting tool (plug in the wall version) and the power plane make these tasks so much nicer. But as I and the others have stated, you do not need these tools to build or fly a plane, but they are great stocking stuffers!!! Good Luck, Dave

If you are new to building keep in mind that some people over time become allergic to CA so don't breathe the fumes and try to keep it off you. I use a fan when I build.

Two pencils (eraser side up!) have always been my tools for CG setup. As for throws, I put in as much as I can without straining the servos and then configure my rates at 50%. After the first few flights, I readjust to my comfort level.

Cost = Zero

...but you can always build these tools at next to nothing on your own.

Dave,
I made a terrific tool for locating bolt holes in engine mounts, at least in the fiberglass or composite type mounts. It's called a piece of bent wire that fits loosely into the engine lug's holes. I place or clamp the engine where I want it, heat the end of the wire, and slip it into the engine mounting holes one at a time.

When you remove the engine from the mount, you have perfectly spaced pilot holes for drilling. I haven't ruined a plastic type mount in eight years.
Dennis-

Do they also make LEFT HANDED screwdrivers? I can use one about now.

Thanks everyone for your input, I think I'll wait until my next kit before buying either one.
Now how will I know exactly what I'll need to build this kit (Sig Kadet LT-40) without reading the plans/manual, does anyone have these plans so I can read up on it before I oreder the kit?

thanks again all, Chris

"All you really need to get started is the kit, CA glue or white glue, 30-min epoxy, a hobby knife, maybe a hobby saw, T-pins, sandpaper and some small clamps or clothes pins. You can get a long way into the build, and then decide what you really need."

Based on the info at SIG's site:
http://www.sigmfg.com/cgi-bin/dpsmar...FV3.html?E+Sig
all you will need are the few items listed above, some fuel line, and some covering.

I have to agree with the above posts on the dead center finder. Its not necessary but it sure does make drilling motor mount holes easier. Its a good one for a "stocking stuffer".

For the type of airplane you are going to build, you can balance the plane with your fingers and measure the throws with a ruler, as guys above have said. A trainer is not that critical.

If you are just getting into building, there are a number of items that you will find a lot more useful.....such as a Dremel Moto-Tool, a soldering iron, a jig saw, a belt sander (table type--great invention!) and maybe a hinge-slotter...and the list goes on.

For now, have fun creating an airplane out of a box of wood and parts!

Clair

Well Know The other fellas have told you what you need as far as tools.

How about the fun stuff. Get the kit. Set it on a table and open the box. Now take 3 or 4 real deep breath's of air and let them out slow & relax Read the instruction book 3 or 4 times don't try to commit it to memory just get a feel for what's first and what's next. This is a great kit, and great plans, easy to build, and from the all of them I've built the parts fit well. If you get to a spot your not sure of check the instruction's if they don't answer your question feel free to come back here. Look at the replies you've gotten already we'll all be glad to help. Relax, take your time, and have fun.

Right fellas
Egor

Don't see any indication of an engine but this plane will fly with anything from a .40 to a .61

Save your money for a long straight sanding tool to sand wing leading edges accurate and consistent. Lots of sandpaper. And a few bucks to make a fuselage jig so you won't build bananas. I'll go find a link to the directions for building one. You'd be surprised at how cheap the tools are that many expert builders use.

This isn't what I was looking for, but egads, what a links list. There's a reference to nearly everything I've ever heard of:

http://www.glasgow-barnstormers.org.uk/howto.htm

Yet another great site chock full of helpful modeling skills:

http://www.classicaircraftmodels.com/

By George, I'm on roll now:

http://webhome.idirect.com/%7eironsi...o.htm#Koverall

I knew I'd find it:

http://webpages.charter.net/rcfu/Con.../FJConstr.html

There's enough stuff there to keep anyone busy for months!
Best wishes,
Kelvin

But don't forget the fact that the longer you get into projects, and the more you do, the more tools you'll "need"! Just ask any woodworker, shade tree mechanic, airplane homebuilder, boater, and on and on. How about fishermen? The tools make many jobs easier and faster, and of course are also there to feed the need for tools!

Tim Allen Lives!

bax