Sig Something Extra Kit
 

Hello everybody:

I wanted to start a new thread about the Sig Something Extra Kit. I will begin to build my first kit and I wanted a new thread on the Something Extra so that everybody will benefit from it. We need people who are building it, people who have built it and people who are just experts in the field of kit building.

My first question I pose is – Which engine will work the best for this plane? I was thinking about putting my first 4-stroke into it. It seems right since this will be my first kit. Right?? I was thinking of the OS 70FS. I know the landing gear will not work correctly that comes with the kit so I am going to use the landing gear from Dubro puts out.

Anyone have ideas or comments about the kit, please feel free to express your opinions.

Manny

RE: Sig Something Extra Kit
 

That engine will be a great match for that plane. As far as the gear goes, you can use the stock gear and just cut a block of lite balsa that is about an inch thick and the same size as the stock gear block, coat it with a thin coat of thinned epoxy and epoxy them together. Seen a few of these done this way and it looked good as the block was rounded and covered.

If you really want a good looking gear that's about an inch taller, there are several places that sell C/F gear. TNT is one of them and I also think they make an aluminum gear that is taller for the SSE.

I used C/F gear myself

That is a great kit to build. I did 2 of them, one got an OS46AX and the other got electrocuted and both flew very very well. Just build it straight and you'll have no worries. If you can, try not to use the nylon control rods that come with it. Heat and humidity will cause your trims to change. I replaced mine with 2-56 steel rod without any issues.

Other than the taller C/F main gear and replacing the control rods, both were built bone stock with no problems

RE: Sig Something Extra Kit
 

Bubbagates:

Do you have the website address of TNT?

Thanks for the input!!

Manny

RE: Sig Something Extra Kit
 

Sure do

This is for the Aluminum gear part number LG-177

http://www.tntlandinggear.com/store/..._List_Gear.htm

The C/F gear

http://www.tntlandinggear.com/store/...nding_gear.htm

part number CLG-132

RE: Sig Something Extra Kit
 

Bolt yer gear with nylon bolts.
I've seen this (and others) pull out their gear moutning plates from a hard landing.

RE: Sig Something Extra Kit
 

Bubbagates:


Is this kit pretty straight forward? I have not received mine yet, it is coming tomorrow. I started flying Dec. '04 and have two planes in my hanger - Avistar and GB Tiger II (I purchased this plane and I have VF Edge 540 coming soon.) I heard this kit was pretty good for beginners. Do you have tips about this plane when building it? I will have questions about covering it, too when I get to it. Hopefully, covering will not be that bad. I purchased a heat gun and heating iron.

Manny

RE: Sig Something Extra Kit
 

Manny, there is a standard joke about that kit. All you need to do is the following:

Open the box and removed all the peices from the cutouts
Place all the peices back in the box
Drop in an open bottle of thin CA
Close box
Shake well for 5 minutes
Open box
Remove completed airframe

Yep, they are that easy. the covering will be the hard part but we can get to that when you are ready. I used white and redUltracote and needed one roll of each and had plenty of extra.

The only really pieces of advice are this. Make sure you are building on a very flat surface. I bought a piece of 36X24 maple and tack glued a piece of cheap foam insulation ot it. Cost was about 12 bucks total at home depot

When doing the wings, be careful you do not end up building two of one side. The plans are well marked but I have heard of this happening

Get a roll of cheap wax paper. Lay you plans on your building surface, lay the wax paper over the plans and pin it all down.

I found a few pics from when I had them. I liked the ARF trim scheme so I copied it so don't be fooled. Also there are some pics of my engine install on the VF Edge I have. On that plane follow the instructions for the wing joiner to the letter and keep the elevator throw at no more than 3/8 inch. I know that does not seem like allot but trust me it is. See this thread as I just mentioned that in there and you will see the outcome

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=3223664 (VF Edge Thread) There is also a huge thread on that plane here on RCU Your gonna love it also. The SSE is a great plane with an unbelieveable roll rate. The VF Edge is super precise

RE: Sig Something Extra Kit
 

Bubbagates:

Thanks for the advice. I know this might be a dumb question, but do I use thin CA or medium CA?

Also, that is a pretty cool pic of the blue bi-plane. What is it called? Is it an arf or kit?

Now off the subject of the Sig, The VF Edge 540, I have been reading the thread “Vector flight Edge 540 build” by ez2bgman. How do you like your edge? I am thinking about getting OS .91. I think that would be good enough for me since I am a beginner.

Thanks again and I will be asking for your advice about the covering when I get to it. I do not know which plane to do first. Which one would be easier? I am thinking the Sig would. From what I read about the VF Edge, it is a great plane but the instructions are somewhat not desired. I am not that excited about building that plane.

Manny

RE: Sig Something Extra Kit
 

Manny

No problem at all on the advice. You will need both thin CA and medium CA. But get spares of each if that is what you are going to use.

I would recommend using Elmers wood glue. It's what I used and it gives you time to get things lined up correctly. Just get a single bottle of thin CA for the hinges and some 30 minute epoxy to glue the tail feathers on and you'll be all set if you use the wood glue. Do not use epoxy on the whole plane as it will add a ton of weight

RCKen is traveling today but once he gets back online tonight, I have a feeling he'll be chiming in here. He's much better at kits than I am as I have only done 2 and both of them were the SSE's. I'm not a big kit fan but they were very very easy to do. I can help with them to a pretty good degree.

The Blue Bipe is a Carl Goldberg Ultimate that was an ARF. It had a YS110 turning a Bolly 16X6 and what a combo. It was a big puddy tat on low rates and landed just as slow as any trainer but crank up the throws and hold on. It was wild but in a good way. Very controllable. I have since sold it and I hear the new owner loves it also and I bought the Wildhare 29% Ultimate. It flies just like the CG Ultimate, just lots bigger.

As far as the VF Edge goes it does take some skills to build as there is no tank tray installed and you have to make one, the wing joiners must be done EXACTLY as the instructions and yes the instructions are not good EXCEPT for the wing joiner part. Once it's together it flies extremely well. The SSE is a great plane and is very easy to fly and land but the Edge is better in that it's more precise. The Edge will be a good for a second plane if you are pretty good with your trainer but it does not like to float. It must be flown onto the ground meaning you must keep a very small amount of power in until just before touchdown. The 91 you are getting for it will be just fine. It's won't be a rocket but it will be just fine

If you follow the advice in ez2bgman's thread you will be fine

The SSE can be built in about a week if you work on it for 7 days for about 8 hrs a dayand are extremely careful BUT since it's your first build I would say take your time, ask allot of questions, we'll help anyway we can.

Here are a couple of more pics of the Ultimate

RE: Sig Something Extra Kit
 

Manny5150

This was my first kit too. It's really easy to build and a pretty fast build too. I did mine stock except for:

- Changed the rods (same as bubbagates)
- Used the Dubro landing gear.
- Used Syllivan tailwheel assembly
- Sheeted the turtle deck.

When you get to the tank, you have a couple of options. Either use a dremel tool to enlarge the opening so that you can remove the tank or as some do, add a tank hatch. Also, on mine the pushrod exited low such that they didn't line up with the servo arm. Others have reported the same problem. I too used wood glue (Titebond II) where I could and CA when I wanted to go fast.

Here's my build thread:[link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_2716619/anchors_2716619/mpage_1/key_/anchor/tm.htm#2716619]http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_2716619/anchors_2716619/mpage_1/key_/anchor/tm.htm#2716619[/link]

The SE is currently my favorite plane.:D It's a blast to fly. Unfortunately, we just lost our field this wednesday so no flying for a while[&o]

-tychoc

RE: Sig Something Extra Kit
 

Manny5150,
You're going to love this plane. It's a fantastic flyer and is easy to build. I've had 2 of them and will build another if anything happens to my current SE?

Bubba,
Thanks for the promo!!!

You can actually have this kit framed up in a weekend if you have building experience behind you. It's that easy to build. If you follow the instructions you won't have any problems. Sig did an outstanding job on the plans and instructions. The manual has pictures of every step. Just read through them once before you even remove anything from the box. Then read the complete step you are getting ready to do and make sure you understand what you are going to do. Dry fit the piece first to make sure they fit properly. Then glue them in place. If you have any questions don't hesitate to ask here.

As far as glue, I used to us CA but have gotten away from using it. I use Elmer's Carpenters glue now. It's easier to use, give you time to make sure the part is in place before the glue sets, isn't hard on the lungs, is cheaper than CA, and you can sand it too. CA is very hard and won't sand well which leave lumps and ridges on the finish plane.

Here are some pics of mine current SSE.

Ken

RE: Sig Something Extra Kit
 

Manny,
The next kit that I have on my list to build is a SSE. I have the kit right here waiting for me to begin after a finish up a couple of small projects (rebuild my Kouger's wing after a mid air two weeks ago and get a biplane that I build some 25 years ago back in the air). Judging by how slow I work (limited amount of time), I should be joining you in about a month.
Jim...

RE: Sig Something Extra Kit
 

Manny....I just got my sixth SSE kit in the mail today and will be starting it tomorrow. This one will be a dual fuselage twin. If you're interested I can post some pics of some of the mods that you can apply to yours; sheeted turtledeck & wings, enlarged rudder, tailwheel supported by the fuse instead of the rudder, shortened canopy and cockpit, seamless monokote hinges, different pushrods and a few methods for building it so it will balance without adding dead weight.

Don't forget pictures of yours, we love pictures.

Damon

RE: Sig Something Extra Kit
 

Please DamonTX please give detail of how your build is going and especially some pics. You make some amazing SSE planes. Looking forward to your updates!!

Bubbagates: I am going out an getting some Elmer's wooden glue. Wait!!! hold the press, I found some under the kitchen sink. (it was actually under the sink) I cannot believe my wife did not throw it away. She throws everything away if I do not use it for awhile.


tychoc:
When I get the chance, I will start looking at your thread. I am getting my kit tomorrow. UPS has it schedule for delivery tomorrow. Thanks

JimInCa:
Let me know when you start your kit, maybe we can compare notes

RCKen:
Thanks for the advice. Keep them coming. I will sure need it. In the beginning of this thread, I informed everybody I was going to use the OS 70FS. I cannot wait to get. I think it will work well with it. I like to hear what you have in your 2 SSE.

Thanks everybody. This forum is great@!!!!!

RE: Sig Something Extra Kit
 

tychoc:


I have been reading your thread you started when you built your first Sig SE and I was wondering where did you get the triangle measuring tools. I thinking of checking home depot. I am going there anyways to pick up a sheet of wood. My work surface is on a card table, but I want a nice flat surface.

Manny

RE: Sig Something Extra Kit
 

Yes, I got those triangles from Home Depot. While you're there, pick up a dremel tool and some quick grip clamps as well:D

I used a ceiling tile for my build surface. Picked that up at HD as well for $3 or so. It works well and it's easy to stick pins into it.

-tychoc

RE: Sig Something Extra Kit
 

Nice kit. Follow the instructions for carving the fairing pieces that flare the fin and stab to the fuse and each other. It works great.

Take extra care with the large rib at the root of the wing. You don't want any twist, bend or bow because this rib will need to sit flush against the fuselage when the wings are attached to it.

RE: Sig Something Extra Kit
 

Manny,
I've had and OS 46 FX in both of my SE's. They did great for me. I don't do any 3D type manuevers so this motor was more than enough for me.

Ken

RE: Sig Something Extra Kit
 

Here are some of the pics from the mods I did on the last one and mentioned here that worked well. I forgot the order of the pics I uploaded but believe they show pretty much everything I talked about yesterday.

Damon

EDIT Sorry guys for the huge pics, thats the second time thats happened and I don't know how or why it did it.

RE: Sig Something Extra Kit
 

DamonTX: Looks great and your workshop is awesome[sm=thumbup.gif]

I'm stuck building on a 3*5 table upstairs[:o]

-tychoc

RE: Sig Something Extra Kit
 

Tychoc...thanks man. When we moved from TX to VT we bought a house that's over 100 years old. With the very long "building seasons" up here I couldn't rest until I had a suitable place to build so I did the best I could with what I had.

Manny... Did you your SSE come in last night? Oh wait, I know, you've been too busy building to update us. Come on man! Give us some pics! I started mine last night but didn't bother taking pics because all I did was cut new parts from the kit to make the second fuse.

RE: Sig Something Extra Kit
 

hey, can I move in your house? That is pretty nice setup.

I am starting on the right wing last night. Man this is a little difficult from the ARF's. It is just taking some time. I do not like to rush it. I will have some pics later tonight of the wing. I can only work on my SSE when my son is sleeping. My VF is coming next week and I like to get that one finished, too.


Hey, do you use the wood glue everywhere?

Manny

RE: Sig Something Extra Kit
 

Here is the first pic....

RE: Sig Something Extra Kit
 

[&o]:D I built mine in a week. It looks like an eight year old built it. Horizontal stab not horizontal. One wing root rib off a little-- wont go flush at fuselage. Covering a little saggy in places. Old OS 46 in it. Best flying plane I have ever had including eight or more arfs of various sizes. I will no dooubt build another one soon, and hope that it looks more as if a ten year old built it. (I am 73) This plane rolls like an electric drill has it, lands like a dream, ggod vertical, great spins, inverted and flat. A design phenom. No wonder it has been around for so long!

RE: Sig Something Extra Kit
 

I need some major help. The instructions refer to the spars, leading spars & sheet at 24 inches, but they all measure out to 24 1/2 inches. Do you have to cut them to the correct length per instructions? If you have the instructions available, please look at line 5. You have to glue the 1/4" x 24" (which measures to 24 1/2" ) balsa trailing edge stock in place to the end of each wing rib. How do you that?


Manny