Professional Builders
 

For those of you that don't have the time or talent to build a kit what do you do? Are there professional builders? If so, who would you recommend on the east coast (DC metro area)?

RE: Professional Builders
 

Moderator please move this to the appropriate forum.

RE: Professional Builders
 

The question is about kit building. Why would it need to be moved???? Your best bet is to find your local clubs & talk to some members about building a kit for you. Good luck

RE: Professional Builders
 

Once in a while someone will make a post offering to build for others. You can search the kit building forum and find the posts but it's a bit of a pain. And, if the post is old, you can spend a good bit of time chasing dead end leads.

Location and logistics will be an issue if you do find someone.

I'm near Dallas and I used a builder who was in far East Louisiana, about 300 miles away. I sent a kit, engine, covering, flight pack, and a bunch of miscellaneous parts to someone I only knew via email and a couple of phone calls. It turned out fine but it could have been a disaster. When my plane was finished we met at a fun fly in Shreveport which saved the hassle of shipping a completed model. The builder I used is no longer around.

RE: Professional Builders
 

I guess I get stuck on the premise to begin with. About the talent part, there are loads of kits for all levels of building. It isn't so much about talent as it is about experience. Knowing why parts look the way they do and the order in which they are assembled is very helpful as you make decisions with kits that are more complicated or provide you less hand holding. That comes with experience (and inevitable mistakes). So start simple and work your way up. Hiring someone to have all the fun just isn't the way to go if you are just a bit intimidated at first.

About the time part, this is a hobby, not a profession. There are no bosses, deadlines, schedules, (budgets?!?), and the other drives that make time critical. Take your time. So what if it takes a year or two to put a kit together. That's OK. For my own situation, I work two jobs and am away from home all during the week. It tool me 2-1/2 years to build my last kit (a 1/4 scale Triplane), far longer than it would have taken anyone with a more normal schedule. Get an ARF that puts you in the air and take as long as it takes to put the kit together.

Happy Landings.

RE: Professional Builders
 

http://www.dream-rc-airplanes.com/index.html

RE: Professional Builders
 

Why?

Some people simply do not want to spend their time building model airplanes but they do want to fly them.

In the case of my project... I wanted a certain plane after my ARF trainer and wanted to build it. I bought the kit and realized after seeing the manual that it was not a beginner kit even though it is a good second plane. I found someone to build it for me and see nothing wrong with that.

Since then I learned a little more about what to look for in a beginner kit and chose a PT-60. Took almost a year for me to build it. Second kit, Uproar 60, also took a year. Third kit, GP Corsair 40, about two years. Started my fourth, GP Rapture 40, in May; no telling how long it will take.

RE: Professional Builders
 

In principle, I guess, there's no difference between paying a builder and buying an ARF. Only with the builder someone enjoys making the model and you money isn't flying off to to China. That and maybe you end up with a better model.

RE: Professional Builders
 

With A builder you are going to end up with A plane that has real wood and glue, something that can last for years and not just A season. Nothing wrong with getting someone to build for you. I used to do A lot of kit building and ARF assembling for people just A few years ago. I could unserstand someone not having the time to learn to build but the retired guys having me assemble an ARF trainer for them??? Reason usually stated, I don't have the time!! I took there money and laughed!:D Most clubs have A builder or two left that will build A kit for A small fee plus parts and supplies used. I gave it up due to the price of shipping an assembled model and most of my customers are out of state now.

RE: Professional Builders
 

Different strokes for different folks !!!!!! One guy wants to spend all the time flying, the other enjoys building as much or more than flying. As far as taking 2 years to build,,so what !!! That is what's great about this hobby go fast- take your time perfect airplane- not so perfect airplane.. We still all enjoy it & hopefully nobody looks down their nose at the other guy because his enterest in the hobby is different !!!!!!!!!

RE: Professional Builders
 

No offense meant. Whatever works for you, works for me. I just figured that if you had little leisure time (like I do), building kits can take a long time and an ARF gets/keeps you in the air so you can take your time building. From your post, you "crank out" a plane about as fast as I do. I dunno. I just can't see giving/paying someone to have the fun that I get in building a plane. That's just me. No criticism meant at all. Also, we have the "benefit" of a building season so building doesn't get in the way of flying very much.

Salute!

RE: Professional Builders
 

I do building in the central KY Area, ARF's and KITS

RE: Professional Builders
 

Hi AERO993, are you a member of a club? I'm down here in Waldorf and the treasurer of Charles County Radio Cotrol Club.
We just launched an on line forum. checkout http://www.charlescountyrc.org/Forums/index.php

I'm sure you could get some help or advice.

RE: Professional Builders
 

assumeing that you live near a flying field. I would suggest that you get in the habit of getting aquainted with the guys and ask questions about a builder willing to help you with your 1st project. otherwise its trying to buy a Ready To Fly model and trying to follow the printed instructions. GOOD LUCK. dick

RE: Professional Builders
 

aero,
The suggestion to check with club members is a very good one. I will build for someone but only if it is an arplane I am interested in and only if I have a great desire to build it. I am very selective and particular, one plane at a time. Plus you get the opportunity to make a new friend or get to know an old friend better. This way you would get your best airplane along with being close enough to take a look during construction. Best of holiday wishes.:D

RE: Professional Builders
 

I am a professional model plane builder. I've been building since the 60's. Started with control line stunt planes like the Nobler. My dad and I went all over to AMA contests in a five state area centered around Dallas, Tx. Anyway, I got into radio control planes about 2001 and filled my garage with mostly aerobatic R/C planes. I still wanted to build so, I advertised on RCU and started building from plans or kit for others. No ARFs for me, or foam. All planes I build are from balsa, bass, birch-ply, and light-ply.

My web site is www.MATOonline.com/planeBuildingPrices.htm . You can see the planes I've built for others.

I don't do fiber glassing or painting, and need more helpers in that area. If anyone likes to finish giant scale planes, please contact me at [email protected]. I'm in northern Indiana and it would be nice if you are close. The planes that need finished would be large 10 foot and I can ship to you if needed via uShip.com . Most of the large scale planes run $2000 in labor to build and probably as much to fiberglass and paint them.

Please let me know if you would like to help, have fun with other toys, and make a little extra money.

RE: Professional Builders
 

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RE: Professional Builders
 

Thanks for the help! Try the link again.