<div></div><div>I am relatively new to the hobby. I built two planes when I was a teenager, a glider and a Sig Kadet. I just recently started to learn to fly and have two ARF planes. My first build is a GB super chipmunk. I am halfway into it. What I have learned and hopefully many of you master builders can add to this thread on pre build <a name="OLE_LINK1">techniques</a>.</div><div></div><div>I learned that just opening the box (box of sticks) and starting to build is not the best way to tackle a build. It is very easy to get ahead of yourself. So I am getting ready (research and preparations) to build a BUSA &frac14; scale J-3 Cub modified to a Super Cub.</div><div></div><div>The things that I will do differently than my Chipmunk build will go as Fallows.</div><div></div>

1. Read the instructions cover to cover before starting to build. (it is a good idea to be familiar with how everything will come together being this is not a mystery novel, no surprises around the corner).
2. Study the plans.
3. Divide all the parts in their respective categories (tail section, wing, left and right, fuselage and hardware). I will even go as far as marking individual pieces with a sharpie, left wing, and right wing. Don&rsquo;t want to build two left wings.)
4. Inspect all parts prior to gluing. (Sand the rough edges and tabs, dry fit crucial parts like firewall and fuselage members).
5. Take the time to look ahead of the build to see what the next steep will be to make sure I am not getting ahead of myself (very susceptible to this).

<div>Limit the use of CA glues as much as possible (personal preference).</div><div>Let parts that have been clued dry completely before taking of clamps, rubber bands, and tape (learned the hard way when the wing sheathing came up on the LE when glued with 30 min epoxy, not good).</div><div>And most important, have fun.</div><div></div><div>Please add any information on pre building that you have found to be helpful. I know a lot of you more experienced builders have ingrained these techniques and habits as second nature. Furthermore, I would like to thank those that take the time to post threads on their builds, they are extremely helpful. Not all manufacturers provide explicit instructions on how to build their kits.</div><div></div><div>Thanks</div><div></div><div>TB</div><div></div><div></div><div></div>

I like to lay the top of the box along side the bottom. Then, anytime I am rummaging through the box to find parts, whatever I remove from the bottom goes into the top - not on the workbench, or a chair, or anywhere else. This way I always know that the part I am looking for is in one box or the other.

I also like to open all plastic bags and transfer the parts to ziploc bags, so I can re-seal them after removing a part.

For small screws etc, I have a magnetic dish to keep them in.

Don't forget to have the engine, engine mount, fuel tank, fuel line and fueling accessories that you intend to use on hand before you start the fuselage build.

try your best to keep the base material for any pre-cut formers and ribs etc to act as templates. If the pre-cut parts are loose, draw their outlines on some paper and keep it in the box. So if you make a complete mess of something, you can make another kit of bits. Or even make another complete model!
The advice about keeping things together and tidy is really good. I try to do this, and always fail somewhere, usually with an indispensible scale doodad that usually winds up in the freezer, or at the bootom of a tin of varnish.
I make notes in the user manual about TX set-up etc, sub-trims and the like, so if the TX dumps my settings, I can re-programme immediately without trial and error.