Gonna build a KIT!
 

So after getting my first plane and well not really liking the color schem, I think I am going to build my first kit!

I am looking at the Telemaster 40 since well I am not really into all that acrobatic sport plane stuff and you can do alot with a wing-load from the telemaster.

So my question... does the manual tell you what you need to build the kit, like the ammount of glue and all that?

odd question I know just new to the kit building thing.

RE: Gonna build a KIT!
 

Yup, the manual should tell you what adhesives , tools, acsessories etc.. that you'll need to finish the kit. Great Planes/ Top Flite, Sig and Goldberg have the items listed right in the first few pages. Happy building and take your time, dont rush it. You will have a plane that is built better than any arf you can buy. Cameron.

RE: Gonna build a KIT!
 

The Telemaster is a GREAT plane. It has a special place in my heart because that is the aircraft I learned how to fly on. I made mine a tail dragger. Be sure to show us your progress!!!

I am looking forward to this one.

Brian

RE: Gonna build a KIT!
 

Building a kit is a great experience, very fulfilling, and very much a learning experience...I really don't care how many kits I've built, everyone is learning. If you find yourself in question about issues like "how much glue", its not very hard to test-glue.. just find a few pieces of scrap(anything scrap), toss some glue on them and see how it comes out. If you do this type of tests with scrap..#1 you'll save your kit material, #2 you'll get the practice, #3 when you do the final it will usually come out very nice. Although I've got gluing down pretty well, its ALWAYS good to test fit your peices.. When it comes to wood that you have to "cut to fit"... the usual is cut a hair oversize, then sand to fit.. and with patience and practice(it won't take you long to get the hang of it) you'll have everything fitting perfectly...
Although I dont have first-hand experience with HobbyLobby kits.. the Telemaster has been around a looong time, and should prove to be a great step in learning in's and out's of kit-building. The above mentioned kits(TopFlite, GreatPlanes, etc..) are also excellent in the manuals, plans, and materials included... and each manufacturer has some unique techniques for doing different things.. so I would suggest also building from different companies, it makes for some well rounded knowledge as you progress.... so .... build away... and if you have questions.. there's over 400000 members here thhat really love to help. :)

RE: Gonna build a KIT!
 

The Telemaster is a great plane, but not so great for a first build.

Take a look at the Sig LT-40. Basically the same plane but MUCH easier to build!

RE: Gonna build a KIT!
 

Great flying airplane! Make it a taildragger- lighter overall weight enhances performance, less drag since only 2 wheels and struts in the breeze and your flying skills will be enhanced flying a taildragger vs a nosedragger. Put hardpoints on fuse so that you can install floats for even more fun. Your building skills will develope with this airplane which can be applied to future endeavors. Tailwinds! ARUP

RE: Gonna build a KIT!
 

The 3 most important things to do when you build a kit, wether it's your first or your 20th. # 1; Read the intstructions thoroughly. # 2; read the inst. again, # 3; Read the instructions again !! Get the drift? Believe me, you'll save time in the long run. Please don't ask me how I know to do that. Hehehe Good luck

RE: Gonna build a KIT!
 

Read this:

[link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/magazine/article_display.cfm?article_id=1196]Kit Building 101[/link]

RE: Gonna build a KIT!
 

The Telemaster 40 is a great model and a lovely slow flyer. Your local model flying club should have lots of builders, dare I say it, amongst the the older members who could get you started.

I love these models so much that I import them into the UK, go to www.telemastersalesuk.co.uk to see what some of my customers have made of their Telemasters. On the "works" TSUK Telemaster 40 we only made one change from the kit instructions and that was that we added a plywood dihedral brace to the wing's centre section. The only other modification which I would make, were I to build another, would be to glue some diagonal braces across the rear formers to stiffen the rear which can be a bit flexible especially if you cover the model in film as we have.

A covering like Solartex will probably strengthen things.

Best of Luck! Let us know how you get on.

RE: Gonna build a KIT!
 

A cool thing about RCU is that there are a ton of "build threads". Builders are willing to share their product-specific experiences, ask and answer questions about their build. I recently built an LT-40 and was pleased to find a very good thread ->

 [link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_3439708/anchors_3439708/mpage_1/key_/anchor/tm.htm#3439708]  Pay It Forward Build Thread!! Sig LT-40 build [/link] by RCKen

HTH,

RE: Gonna build a KIT!
 

MinnFlyer..... ....Very good article. I would highly suggest anyone interested in building a kit, but wants more info... read MinnFlyers article... there's alot of good insight into issues that most people wouldn't otherwise even be aware of... not to mention .. alot of info even a veteran builder can take and learn. Its just right as articles go.. and really inspiring... now.. back to the post... :)

RE: Gonna build a KIT!
 

Thanks for the nice words dgrant. I tried to cover the no-so-obvious issues without getting overly technical.

RE: Gonna build a KIT!
 

so after looking around, and at sig's website and the four-star 40 seems more to my style. :D IDK yet gonna think about it. the LT-40 looks nice but i was hoping for a tail dragger out of the box hmmm I will think about it! That buillding board is insane, do u really need all that to build a plane? all the clamps and stuff, i can understand a few but wow that seems like alot to buy just to build a plane.

Also how do you all feel about buying a ARF and re-covering it?<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size: larger;"><font face="Arial">
</font></span></span>

RE: Gonna build a KIT!
 

lynx.. Why don't you do a search or two in this forum for kits that your interested in building.. you can easily follow along... I'm following probably 3 or 4 builds at any given time. Some of these guys are really good at this... but in any case, I always catch a few tips. I've been a builder for a loooong time.. but I always enjoy seeing fellow craftsman doing what they do best. I get inspired much easier, I get to see barebones aircraft.. and in most cases.. I get to see some beautifully finished aircraft of all different sorts. You can easily subscribe to these threads by simply hitting "subscribe" at the top of the page in the thread. :)

RE: Gonna build a KIT!
 

Build a kit first. There are some pitfalls with recovering an airplane that are easily visualized once one has built a few kits. Trust me on this. Besides- I wouldn't lie to you- I don't know you!:D

RE: Gonna build a KIT!
 

Since it's your first kit, the initial outlay of materials , building board, clamps, pins. squares, etc may seem a bit much for "just one kit". But if you want to build a piece of furniture the first time, think of all that you would need. The good thing is.. your second kit..(and there will be a second because it's addicting for many reasions) will probably not need anything additaional building tool wise to comnplete. ;) (though I always seem to find something :D) In addition.. you will start noticing all the things around you that can be used for building...

* the plastic little cups at Moe's restauratns make excellent expoxy mixing bowls.
* stir sticks at starbucks make excellent glue applicators
* credit card type room keys from hotels make fantastic expoxy spreaders
* * and on and on

Go with Parchment paper to cover you plans.... they don't make wax paper like they used to (less wax or whatever it was coated with these days) and glue (and your part) will stick to it. If your near a harbor freight tools... clamps, clamps and more clamps on the cheap along with many other build tools (squares, etc, etc)

The 4 star is an excellent first kit to build with numerous build threads on popular modificagtions. It's a docile aeroabat built to plans or you can modify it a bit to provide more Grrrrrrr. If you can handle a trainer, the 4* is a nice step up.

RE: Gonna build a KIT!
 

As a kid I built a lot of stick and tissue planes. As an adult I recently started building again, my second kit was a TOP FLIGHT GOLD EDITION (AT-6). This kit has just fallen in place. There are tabs on the wing ribs that keep everything straight, and for the first time I’ve built an absolutely absolutely straight wing. Manual is extremely clear and easy to follow, and all the die-cut pieces simply fell out with no bad edges/broken peices. Engine offset is designed into the plans, it's probably harder to screw the plane up than it is to build it.

I’ve never seen such a good kit. I’m so impressed that when finished I’ll probably send top flight an email (and ask for some larger sized kits).

RE: Gonna build a KIT!
 

I am going to making a choice here shortly :D Iam more then likely gonna go with something from Sig or Great Planes :D

RE: Gonna build a KIT!
 

Jez lynx - RUN while you still can - you're life will never be the same!!!! ;)

I hope you luv it as much as I do.

RE: Gonna build a KIT!
 

I am mainly looking for something in the .40 size since that is what engine I have and do not have alot of money to drop into a kit or ARF. Mainly I just want something that would make a good second plane to my trainer once i out grow it. I love just flying around I am not much into all that acrobatic and stuff. I do like loops and some basic maneuvers. I want something simple and forgiving :D The more drop in parts the better! 

RE: Gonna build a KIT!
 

I love to build as much as I love to fly. I have over 30 kits in my inventory, so I guess you could say its an addiction. The funny thing is, my collection is tiny compared to some of these guys.You really cant go wrong with the 4 Star or the LT40 both are excellent planes and fun to build. If you need advice there are plenty of awesome builders on this site. Dont hesitate to ask.

RE: Gonna build a KIT!
 

IMO building is the hobby and the best part. Flying is the sport, its fun, but flying something you have created makes it all that much better. ;)

Bob

RE: Gonna build a KIT!
 

Fabulous plane to start your building career with, welcome to the true basis of our wonderful sport. You've picked a good plane - not the easiest to build but no "nasty" surprises either. Just pay CLOSE attention to the instructions and listen to hints you'll pick up from experienced builders - you'll have no problems at all.

I've just read the first half-dozen replies on the first page so I'm probably WAY out of touch with your progress but I couldn't wait to add my 2-cents worth here. The Telemaster-40 is a true classic, and even being a flat-bottom airfoil, it IS capable of some rather credible basic aerobatics, including inverted flight. She flies slow and outstanding stable, takes-off at barely more than a walk and lands so slow a corpse can keep up with her (no offense intended).

My only real recommendation is that you might think of adding more deflection to the control surfaces - all of them. There will be times when the breeze will tend to overpower the ailerons - especially - and I, personally, like having the capability of "forcing" my will on the aircraft. My own Telemaster (which is over 30 years old) has no dihedral and all control surfaces deflect 45-degrees - which makes her a rather maneuverable old lady.

Got a couple pics here of my old lady in-flight this spring (a couple weeks ago). They're not great, but...

Dave

RE: Gonna build a KIT!
 

Sig 4*
GP Rapture

RE: Gonna build a KIT!
 

Strenghtening the gear mount plate area is only thing to modify on this great flier. I'm partial to Sig airplanes.