Where Have All The Kits Gone ?
10-23-2013, 07:19 PM
#601
My Feedback: (5)
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Marseilles, IL
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
One of the problems with building that I have been dealing with is the cost of the tools. I have just gotten back into building after about 7 years and a divorce, and most of my modelling tools have gone missing (gee, imagine that). I must have spent $3-400 on tools recently and still don't have even CLOSE to what I used to have, not to mention spare parts (clevises, hinges, bolts, nuts, etc. etc. etc... then add up adhesives, etc...) - awful tough for a newbie, especially a young one, to deal with that cost. HOWEVER, that does NOT mean I believe that it is a good idea and very beneficial for pilots to build if for nothing more than to be able to figure out how to fix crashed aircraft. Me, I like building and flying equally, if not more towards building...
10-24-2013, 04:02 AM
#602
I know what you mean Dale, I took a 12 year break from the hobby and during that time I sold all of my tools and parts, not realizing the mistake I was making. Now, 3years after getting back into the hobby, I'm finaly beginning to get all the tools I need for building. One way I saved money was by buying stuff from e-bay and from other modelers getting out of the hobby. One purchase I made was from an estate of a modeler who had been building for 50 years for $350. That was a great buy, boxes full of balsa, ply and tools.
I also lean more towards building, I'm just finishing up a build and I'm already thinking of my next build. I must be addicted to balsa dust and ca glue.
I also lean more towards building, I'm just finishing up a build and I'm already thinking of my next build. I must be addicted to balsa dust and ca glue.
10-24-2013, 05:50 AM
#603
Member
A few suggestions - There are a few people who buy R/C estates - you can find them in the ad sections of several different R/C related websites. If you can locate one near you , then you can probably get them to put together a box of stuff related to your needs at a reasonable price. Some clubs have a "slush fund" table at their meetings where people bring in their surplus stuff and proceeds go to the club - usually 1/4 to 1/3 of retail for the small stuff. and be sure and check the non-flying events section of model airplane news for swap shops
10-24-2013, 10:52 PM
#605
My Feedback: (1)
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: WATKINSVILLE, GA
Posts: 253
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I recently, because of an illness, included all my airplanes in my will. This one to Jerry this one to Sid, etc. Even and including my trailer and kits. Now there's no doubt that my planes will fly long after I'm gone.
Last edited by Aerobatx; 10-24-2013 at 10:55 PM.
12-09-2013, 01:51 PM
#607
Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Den HaagZuid Holland, NETHERLANDS
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
for me building is more than just about costs. I love to see a plane come together 
. Personally I really like SIG and top flite. Some more tips for kits:
IMP Scale, http://www.impscale.com/
Tony Nijhuis, http://www.tonynijhuisdesigns.co.uk/
Skyshark, http://www.skysharkrc.com/
Freek
. Personally I really like SIG and top flite. Some more tips for kits:IMP Scale, http://www.impscale.com/
Tony Nijhuis, http://www.tonynijhuisdesigns.co.uk/
Skyshark, http://www.skysharkrc.com/
Freek
02-17-2014, 02:16 AM
#608
This is for general discussion. I've got a few years of modeling under my belt, and I recall when ARF's were the rarity, example: Lanier's models, Jesters, etc. and kits abound of the balsa type. Now, because of "change" the opposite is true. Less kits verse's many ARF'S, ARC'S etc. available.
Regarding costs, kit costs are now up, this vintage kit wasn't in that great of shape so its resale value with collectors is diminished.
02-17-2014, 12:34 PM
#612
Inasmuch as I'd like to see more kits offered, I've downloaded sufficient PDF plans to scratch build planes. Thus, kits are becoming less of a factor at least with me. Then there are alternative materials to experiment with, such as 20"x30"x3/16" (508mm x 762mm x 5mm) poster foamboard sold by Dollar Tree for $1 US per sheet.
Only thing with scratch building is one basically cuts out pieces to create a kit, then assembles and builds. Even though balsa is more expensive now, equipped with a decent set of plans and patterns, one can do a cost effective job of building. However, those with more overhead in their lives, then ARF is the way to go. It ensures maximizing field time without time taken away for building. It seems that more and more people are working overtime then ever.
Only thing with scratch building is one basically cuts out pieces to create a kit, then assembles and builds. Even though balsa is more expensive now, equipped with a decent set of plans and patterns, one can do a cost effective job of building. However, those with more overhead in their lives, then ARF is the way to go. It ensures maximizing field time without time taken away for building. It seems that more and more people are working overtime then ever.
02-17-2014, 02:02 PM
#614
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Salome, AZ
Posts: 129
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I may be thinking wrong here, but I took kits to mean balsa conventional building, not the foamy market. I do know the makeup of most clubs are quite different form 20 years ago. You either built or you were not in the hobby. That does not make one better than the other, just different.
02-18-2014, 07:35 AM
#615
Oh, I was more referring to that the foam for example might be applied to elements such as wing ribs, sheeting, etc. I bought myself a small stock of the stuff and in future plan to try it out, see what works and doesn't. It is mainly a cost mitigating issue.
02-18-2014, 07:00 PM
#617
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: JOSHUA,
TX
Posts: 181
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have been using styrofoum, for good many years. MOSTLY FOR WINGS % TAIL FEATHERS. AND LATELY the price of balsa has gone sky high. I remember the ups guy spending at least 30 mins unloading my wood...nown he here lest than 10 mins. I am looking for better ways to stay in the hobby. ARFs out of the ???. BOUGHT 2, not very satisfied. Mostly scract built.
02-19-2014, 06:29 AM
#618
Balsa is like everything else it's going up. All we can do is buckle down and hold on and buy what we can when we can. I don't stock extra balsa much anymore sticking to just what I need for a project. I use to buy all the materials up front now I kind of space my purchases out. I buy pretty much everything from my LHS so I don't have to make a big order to make it worth the freight.
02-19-2014, 04:20 PM
#619
Member
I have been using 2 to 4 lb per cubic foot open cell urethane foam as a substitute for balsa block for many years now. It is grainless, sands easily, can be worked with a razor plane, and is easy to cover with lightweight fiberglass . makes great turtledecks, wing tips, nose blocks, cheek blocks, and even canopies that do not need to be transparent.
02-24-2014, 05:46 PM
#620
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: , FL
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
But that aside that's why I'm looking for a frame for a OS .70 4S completely open to suggestions.
02-27-2014, 12:27 PM
#624
FlyerinOKC, I'm sure it has grown since I was last there...but it was THREE huge buildings (State Fair buildings) that was wall to wall tables! It took almost two hours just to quickly walk down each isle....all day if you wanted to stop and look Sure wish I could go back again...and bring something back to AZ.
Sure wish I could go back again...and bring something back to AZ.