andybenton

hello again, its me with another simple question that im probably over complicating

well here goes

i have procured a free set of plans for an 18" cracker box, and in the plans it says to make the stringers out of 1/8th inch balsa,

heres the question, what exactly is 1/8th in balsa. i know balsa is wood and i know what 1/8th inch is, but it doesnt say if it is 1/8th by 1/8th or if its in 1/8th in strips or if its 1/8th in by 1/4th???

so i guess im trying to figure out what dimensions exactly. if no one knows for sure, ill take any suggestions on what to manufacture the stringers out of. scince this will be my first build that wasnt a bridge in shop class im really trying to get everything right before i start building this thing.

R.J. West

Building small boats from plans is fun & a good way to get into it...

All you really need to invest in is a metal ruler, some sandpaper, and a couple X acto penknives & C/A glue for starters...

I go over to Hobby Lobby and pick up several 1/8 X 6" X 36" balsa sheet....depends on how your plans look. Before cutting into them you may want to make copies over at Kinko's first.
The plans I had were from Garry Findlay, and I built several 1/16 scale hydroplanes entirely from Balsa...I cutout each part from the plans and used a stickglue I cemented each template over a section of wood then using my penknife and ruler I carefully cut each part out, just outside the black lines, then with a small sanding block, sand down just at the black line of the template....There ya go....

Ron Olson

My Feedback: (1)

I would assume 1/8" square but that's only from not seeing the actual plans. Is this one of Jerry Dunlap's plans from the RC Store? Look at the schematic/blueprint and it should show on that exactly what they/he mean. Eighteen inches is a little small for most nitro applications, 24" would be better. Maybe you can get it blown up. That's going to make everything a tight fit in a hull that small. I've found it tight to get a .12 and all of the gear into a 24" hull. An 18 incher would only need a small "1/2 A"/.049-.74 to move it.
I had years ago a Dumas Short Stuff that had a .12 in it but it was a shoe horn fit. Everything had to go in and come out in a certain order, no two ways about it. Somebody else built it.

racer504

My Feedback: (2)

Andy, I live about 35 or so miles from you. If you would like to make the trip I can help you with anything you need to know about your plans. Probably can help with materials too. Pm if your interested. If not...no problem. Mike

Jerry Dunlap

If it's for the 1/10 Scale Crackerbox, the 1/8"X1/4" is the correct size for the stringer.

JD

andybenton

thank you guys, the plans im using doesnt have the stringers in any of the blueprints, it just says in print to make the stringers out of 1/8th inch balsa,

so after some carefull consideration if come to be able to say that i think jerry is correct. 1/8th X 1/4th.

and thanks to mike for offering me help, after i get going on this project if i hit a rough spot, ill definatly let you know something and we can work something out.

the plans do seem really simple, but there home drawn its a blown up version of a 10" boat, it reminds me of a dumas mini V

but i guess i didnt get the best plans for my first boat.