I just started my first kit build last night. You all have been very helpful in helping me find the right first kit, the tools, and glue to use.

While gluing in wing ribs I started wondering what are some of the things that I might do wrong. Are there any common mistakes or practices that a first time builder should avoid?

I don’t wont to get off on the wrong foot?

making two of the same side fuselage,semi symetrical ribs installed upside down,poor fitting joints,not enoufgh use of sandpaper before covering are some that I have seen.

Most common probably is building two left or right wings. Pretty easy to do if you work at a fast pace. Not cutting servo wire holes in all the ribs. You need to constantly be checking for straight wings. I use weights to hold everything down against my flat building bd, pins dont work so well for me. May be better for you though. I also use angled aluminum to make sure the spars are straight if I'm not directly over plans. My most used tool in wing building is my 60"x 2" scale. Its a great strong straight edge. I keep the weights on until the shear webs are in and leading/trailing edge sheeting is done. Lots of 2" spring clamps, and 6" quick grips. If its a simetrical wing, make sure the trailing edge is supported at the right height OR washout is set as needed. Check for straightness at every stage of the build. Theres LOTS of additional advice but it depends on what you are building. It would be better to get specific instead of writing a book in this thread. <g> You'll love building.
Edwin

What kit are you building, people can give you some specific things to watch out for if they know your kit.

Yeah, that one. Don't ask me how I know

There are so many mistakes you can make that there is not room to list them all. Even if we did, trust me, you would find one not on the list and make it.

Just take your time, read the manual, always be looking ahead several steps and when in doubt ask here on RCU.

I doubt there are many of us who have done an entire build without at least 1 mistake.

With that said, probably one of the easiest mistakes to make is to build a warp into a wing or fuse. Make sure you have a flat building surface. I also find that working with wood glue rather than CA makes better builds. It gives you more time to get everything right plus it saves your lungs!

That was some quick responses. I have chosen the Sig kadet Sr. as my first build. Hear is where I am at this evening. I am trying to pace my self and not rush anything to fast.

Right now in that part of the build a set of small triangles are your best friend. Keep everything at 90 degrees and flat to the board and you are in good shape.

And some weights on top to hold it flat against the building bd. Dont trust the pins alone to do it.
Edwin

One huge mistake I see a lot is thinking that glue/adhesive/epoxy is a substitute for wood to wood contact when attaching parts. Many will simply try to fill gaps with something like thick CA instead of spending the time needed to get a good wood to wood joint, and then are suprised when the joint fails in flight.

Ken

You have wax paper or similar over the plan right? I can't tell from the pic.
The wood to wood contact as stated above is crucial, especialy in the wing joiner area. I have not built a kadet but I'm sure there is some sort of ply joiner between the panels. What I do is use the ply joiner during that end of the wing build for a dry fit as I'm building to be sure there's no daylight on top, bottom and end, all wood to wood contact securing with expoxy. I do the bottom first.. let it set up, turn the wing over.. then the top, let it set up, turn the wing on end and do the end of the joiner at the rib... little time consuming but the expoxy is not dripping all over and while it's setting up there are plenty of other things to work on.
Mike

me too[:@] Yes dear, I glued my hand to the airplane so I won't drop it.

KitBuilder

I am using Great planes plan protector. I wonder if regular poly from the lumberyard would be the same thing???

My worst mistake is getting ahead of were I should be and having to back to add things I missed.
Cutting open sheeting you just finished sucks.

I think I have made all of the above mistakes at one time or the other. Today I have to write in bold letters over my plans A reminder to not forget to put in the holes and servo wire paper tubes through the wing ribs. I always use two servos for the ailerons and when I forget this step things tend to get ugly. [:@]

I just use was paper. Its cheap and already on hand.

Wax paper for me.

Gray beard, I have great luck using kite string and a small fishing weight to thread a pull string for servo wires in a wing. Havent had a need to do paper tubes in long time.
Edwin

Measure twice, cut once. Making something a tad shorter is easy. Wood stretchers are very expensive ;->

You will make mistakes. Thats just a fact. The secret is to fix them , keep going, and don't get discouraged. Know that you are not alone and know that there are people that can appreciate the work that you have done.

Do not try to catch a dropping xacto
Do not try to catch a dropping xacto with your leg either.
Making 2 left wings causes you to make 2 right wings.
For the weight to hold everything in place, I make up several zip lock bags with 4, 6, or 9 scoops of sand in them. Fold the ziplock side down and I use rtv to keep them shut.

got one of these Kadet Snr I,ve stuck aelirons on it but have found they are not big enough as the size of the aerofoil lifts the air right over the aeliron so will
have to cut further into wing to increase effect I was thinking of putting a
1/2 inch winglet on the outer edge but someone else may have some ideas on that thought ,I,ve already programmed the rudder 30% but still not enough for smooth turns any ideas out there

The very first mistake is not preparing to buy the same kit twice. What I mean is this. If you trace each and every part to your new kit onto light card board stock, you will never have to repurchase a kit. The most you will have to spend is the replacement of cowls, canopy and landing gear wire. And when it comes to repairing your baby, you are set. You can also take one added step of having the plans duplicated at a local print shop and have it placed on DVD or CD. The first time I open a new kit, I spend a couple of hours tracing the parts. It familiarizes me with the project and boy has it paid off dividends in the end.

I've done the same thing. Currently working on a busa 1/4 scale J3. Bought the busa plans to the L4. During the J3 build I traced the parts and made master templates. I used the master templates to make parts for the L4. I'm getting a 2-fer out of this kit. Parts fit perfect.
Edwin

The Senior was my first build and trainer awhile ago. When you get one fuse side done, lay wax paper over it and build the second side right on top off the first. Try to make it exactly the same. When cutting the sticks, lay them on the plan and start the cut. This can eliminate some sanding to get the correct angle on the end.
It is incredible how strong the frame is when the sticks have a good wood to wood fit.
Use a centerline for reference when joining the fuse halves.
Have fun!

Now that's some good advise. I do it to my plans built planes but don't do it anymore for kits??
Hind site being perfect I wish I would have done it to my Mid West Hots I built this year. I have A lot of guys that would like me to build them one but I only made A copy of the wing ribs.
I try to never build or repair the same plane twice but it doesn't hurt to have the templates on hand just in case. Think I better start doing that again.