Hey Fellows

Here's the deal I currently have 2 turn key Carden's, But Ive only been flying GS planes for 1 1/2 years, and my goal is to one day be able to build my own Carden Kits. Right now I have a 40% carden extra, a 40% Edge and a the new Carden Yak, But as you well know its just a box of sticks when you get them, and I know that building kits is something that takes time to learn, But where I live in Nashville, there isn't any GS flier's much less any builder's, So can you guys please give me some info on where I should start, or if there are anythings I need to buy as far as tools, to do this myself,Or are there books to buy? But every time I think of doing this myself I just i'm afraid I will do more damage then good, So all your help would be great..


Thanks a lot Fellows


Randy

I amnot familiar with Carden. However, the manuals that come with most kits are quite good. It will usually tell you what you need to get started and guide you step by step. Sig kits are really good, Carl Goldberg kits aren't as good, but still usuable. Like I said, I don't know much about Carden. But if the manual is decent, it will guide you through everything pretty well.

Yes they have manuals, But if your not familiar with putting them together,, it is a Little confusing, and I really don't want to mess up a$1100 dollar Kit, so I would like to have all the right things, and also the manual just tells you what you need, it doesn't tell you all the right tools that are needed, in which I have lot of tools, but don't you need a tool for building the wing, I'm not sure what that's called..

Thanks

Randy

CARDEN or most other GIANT SCALE kits are not really for a ROOKIE BUILDER. The instruction manuals are only a basic guide...meaning you should have some building skills and know how. CARDEN manual are more instructional than some, but less instructional than others. All in all though, any good builder can build a plane just from the plans.

So you want to know where to start?...............

Leave everything in the boxes, read the manual and STUDY the plans and then get all of the materials out to figure out what is what. Group the parts so that once you do start building, you use one group of parts at a time until that group is all used up. Before you build, some people like to identify the parts in the box with the parts on the plans (numbering or lettering system of some sort.) Once you think you have all of this figured out, make a PLAN OF ACTION. Write down the sequence in which you plan to build the plane. Do one part at a time such as FUSE TRUSS RIGHT SIDE and the FUSE TRUSS LEFT SIDE, then FUSE TRUSS SHEETING RIGHT SIDE and the LEFT SIDE. Simply put, take your time, measure 2 to 200 times and then cut, carve and glue. CARDEN kits are the best. If you take your time and build straight, you will have an excellent plane.

I am not sure what WING TOOL you are talking about.

For the wings......

On the foam core, accurately lay out[ul]
[1] Aileron
[2] Balsa wing TE and aileron LE
[3] Servo bay(s)
[4] Servo wire tube location
[5] Hard points
[/ul]

With all of these things laid out on the foam you can measure control rod lengths provided you have the control horn and servo arms that you plan on using. You can choose to install your servo bays now or later. I prefer to do them before the sheeting, but you have to make sure you know where you put things before you sheet the wing. Servo wire tubes should be installed before sheeting.

Once you have the wire tube, wing tube and servo bays in, you are ready to sheet the wing. There are two methods of sheeting the wing. YOu can use the PRESS method or VAC BAG method. The VAC BAG method requires a vacuum system and all the appropriate hardware. The PRESS method simple requires a lot of weight to be placed on top of the shucks. EITHER WAY YOU DO IT, make sure you have a FLAT/STRAIGHT surface to do this on. Even when you VAC BAG, you should apply a little weight to the shucks to make sure the wing is sitting flat on the table top. Once the glue has cured, remove the wing and trim all of the edges. Then install the balsa TE

When you have sheeted the wing and installed the TE, you are ready to cut out the AILERON. Again, lay it out with pencil right on the wood. Draw your lines for the balsa material that replaces the foam that you need to remove. Once you have completed the layout, cut through the wood with an EXACTO knife. When you cut through the wood, you make a path that will guide a hack saw blade to cut through the foam. Start at the ROOT END of the wing and cut out the END of the aileron, then go to the TIP of the wing and start cutting out the most rearward line (the actual LE of the foam aileron). When you have parted the aileron from the wing, go back to the tip and cut the most forward line (the actual TE of the foam wing). At this point, you can install the AILERON ROOT CAP (on the wing only) and the new TE of the wing and LE of the AILERON. With these installed, now install the aileron root cap on the aileron itself. DO NOT BEVEL THE TE OR LE EDGE YET!!!!! Before you do the beveling for the hinge line, you need to PRE-INSTALL your hinges (it is easier to drill and get straight this way). Once the hinges have been pre-installed and you have beveled the hinge lines, you can install your main root cap, and your anti-rotation/wing retainer hard points. I like to wait until just before covering to install the tip caps so I can check lateral balance and install weight in the foam if I have to.

Hope this helps.

Check on Carden's website - there are links to some construction articles there - very informative.

Remember, measure twice, glue once.

Safe flying!

You didn't say anything about your experience in building other kits in your post, so this may not apply to you. I certainly would not start my building on the kits you are referring to. I would build some other (cheaper) kits to get a feel for many of the processes, then graduate to the costly kits you have. If you are an experienced builder with other sizes/types/mfgr kits, the others have given some pretty good tips already. I am on my second build currently (Sig Hog Bipe) and take it from me, no matter how good the instructions are, you will run into obstacles that only experience can help you solve. I have become quite frustrated at different times while building. And in some cases, have had to make simple repairs in addition to the normal building steps as I go along. Everyone that I have talked to has said pretty much the same thing. You get better each time you build something.

Hi Gotta Fly:

The best advice I have for you is to go to: www.airfieldmodels.com and read this site. You will learn more than you can imagine. This gentleman is an expert (professional) builder and he sahres a lot of good stuff on his site. Check it out, you won't regret it.

Sincerely,

You should build many kits prior to starting this kind of kit. There is nothing the can replace experience in building any thing. If you where a contractor you would not build a 50 story building on your first job. So buy a Sig kit or something a long these lines, it will give you the exparience that you need to build a kit that your are talking about.

Just my 2 cents!

Gotta Fly.....
Well "You Gotta Learn” The advice I would give you is "Learn to recognize good advice when you see or hear it and then, In spite of what you think (And this is the hard part) FOLLOW THAT ADVICE". Based on the previous posts regarding building something simpler first I would suggest you are getting a dose of Very good advice. Good luck ….bert

Thanks a lot Fellows



Randy