Well, work constraints, and new baby among other things is leading me to a question, when will I ever be able to build my jet??? Im having issues just getting to the field to fly. So I was contemplating looking into this as maybe a last resort. Can any body recommend anybody for this???? This is something I might have to do, but would like to see what people are charging, if there is anybody. It a skymaster 2M ARF PRO. I would appreciate any recommendations someone might have. Thanks..

sent pm.

Sent PM. . .

Hey guys,

Can we share some diplomatic information on the public forum as I too am interested in researching this topic for similar reasons? Who are the main builders of kits in the US and what is the going rate for that kind of work?

Thanks in advance for any info.

Craig.

Hi

For that plane, I'd go to Shannon Garcia of Quality Builders. He's one of the top go-to guys in SoCal for building and fixing. Very reasonable and very good work with good turnaround.

I highly recommend John Monaghan as he has worked on several jets for me. He's a great builder who offers reasonable prices.

John Monaghan
The Aeroplane Factory
8587 Comming Hwy
Canton Ga 30115
334-728-1499

Another good contact is Kilroy Richardson in Texas. Although I have never contracted him to do any work for me, I know him personally and I have seen his work and he does a great job and he has a stellar reputation.

Henry here in Cali of HVN Models, one of the best if not the best when building, repairing, painting Top Gun Jets, or just your every day flyer. 213-219-2646.
Joe C!!!!

Hay Andy,

I talked with John and just wanted to say thanks for the recommendation. It works out great as he is on the east coast with me. Super nice guy. Basically exactly what I was looking for. I am emailing skymaster now to see if they can drop ship it to him..Thanks again..

Erik

Good deal, I am also bringing 3 more jets for John to work on after KY jets. My big F16 (he's going to bring it back to 100% for me after I've basically patched it here and there over the years. He does repairs and paint work to. The other two are a old Starfire that I'm going to dust off that has the nose cracked off and the gear punched through the wings - I'm going to have him fix this jet and convert it to electric, and the third is a Tamjets F-18 that I bought at MS Afterburner. Its a complete build that will require painting etc. This will be a winter job.

Andy

Looks like you will be keeping him busy...lol

I told him it's not a rush for me. I dont even know when Skymaster is actually shipping my unit. But I am going to give him a buzz again now, and will probably start shipping stuff to him...Thanks again. I really appreciate it..

Great thread idea...and in the spirit of what we are trying to do here...I make a motion that this thread be used to the good of promoting excellent builders and NOT be used as a complaint department against someone to air out their feelings or this become a kangaroo courtroom of he said/she said.

Do I hear a second????

Rex

I second that!!!!

I dont know if I could stand anymore of the bashing I read on some of these forums. it will make your head spin..

I did just talk to John again for over an hour, and I cant stress again what a nice guy to talk to. Knows his stuff. He had a bunch of recommendations for my build but unfortunately I already bought a bunch of stuff, But he will do whatever you want. He is going to use my equipment but if he see's a problem he said he would switch it right out. I will start another thread with his pictures when we get rolling..I will be packaging back up the turbine and everything else to send him in a day or so...

You can't go wrong with John! Fortunately he lives about a mile from me I pretty much use John exclusively. Awesome at CF/FG and paint work, has a great ability to trouble shoot design issues for reinforcing problematic areas on the airframe too. And, he is good a making easy access for components and plumbing/electronics layout.

Bill Hatcher over in the West Coast of FL, near Tampa is a great one too. I know several folks that use Bill all the time and are very happy with his work.

Good luck,
Rex

I'll 2nd Bill Hatcher. I've maidened quite a few of his builds for customers and everyone of them have been perfect. He also built my Tucano for me. I have 25 flights on it now and after those flights (about 1/2 have been off of grass...and not real smooth grass if you must know) all I have had to do is charge the batteries and put fuel in it. Not a single loose screw anywhere...broken hinge, loose cable...nothing. He set up the controls for me (I adjusted expo and so forth to suit my flying style of course), fired it up and took off. It only took a couple clicks of elevator trim and that was that.

I can not speak highly enough of Bill and his building skills and quality. He prices are extremely fair too.

Beave

Thomas "Invertmast" W. Worth the shipping it would cost!!! He is the one building the F-14. Check out his thread!!

Check out Bob. He is looking for extra work to fund the Bomber. You could even watch him build it on youtube ! http://www.b1modelproject.com/

So, as far as I can see we have danced all around it....but what is a REASONABLE price to do this build?

I would be interested in what people think. If you don't want to state it in public, send me a PM and I will keep it to myself.

Just trying to get a handle on what people think is fair for a build like this....

Aww.. man.. I just checked out those videos, Bob is pure comedy!
that bomber is going to be great! I'll have to check in for an action packed 10 minutes of how to build a B1 bomber 10 minutes at a time

I have done basic frame-ups of the smaller Yellow aircraft jet kits to where they are ready for paint and fit-out for as low as $250. For a china-arf like a skymaster,etc that the owner just wants a fit-out and initial setup, depending on the options (light system, smoke, etc etc etc) anywhere from $750+.

Sadly, I have to post that John has turned out to be a complete disappointment and fraud. He never finished ANY of my projects. He held the F-16 and two other jets for over a year and a half and only found the time to paint a vert. fin, some primer on the fuse and a hatch. The body work he did was botched completely, hinges were crooked and poorly glued, cracks all over the fuse, paint dust all over the electronics (wasn't masked). This is the worst job I have ever seen. Moreover I paid him in advance so I lost ALL of my investment. He was also going to fix the Starfire (never touched it), and build my Tams F18 kit. He never touched that either. All in all the guy took me for over $5,000.00.

I resend my recommendation of him and would strongly suggest that this community stay away from John Monaghan from Georgia.

Andy Andrews

I put a vote to Bill Hatcher.

He did a very good job for me.

Don

Anybody know, or can recommend a good builder in the NW?
Thanks

Z

You work to cheap! At those prices you have to be working for around $.50/hr or less....

I have built several jets for people, mostly BVM stuff, sport jets somewhere around $6k finished, scale $8-10k based on the detail wanted. I don't do as much as I used to but I would not take one on unless the customer knows what he wants, what he can expect, and that it's finished on my schedule. I don't build to tight deadlines, but that's just me. There has to be communication between the builder and the customer.

DR

I'd like to throw a name into the ring:
Chris Reiter of Spokane Valley Washington. Known as Stratotanker here on RCU. In my opinion, he's one of the best kept secrets in the hobby! He's an AF crew chief day to day, which only ads to his borderline compulsive behavior regarding neatness, and more importantly, ease of maintenance. He's a true artist who enjoys all aspects of the hobby: designing, building and flying. A deffinate rare mix of talents!
Jeremy

Jz there are a few of us up here that can build shoot me a pm with what you have we are in bc though but not far from you

Kevin