Just getting back into the hobby after many years. want to build better than when I was young. I like to build Balsa RC Airplanes. What type of surface material do you recommend to build on? would like to be able to pin parts to plan for accuracy but concerned that a wood surface may be too hard to pin to.
Hi ILikeToFly, You won’t find much RC info on this forum as it’s dedicated primarily to static models. However, I was very much into RC flying for a long time and enjoyed building airplanes up from the sticks. I used to use 3/4-inch foam core on my workbench to pin my plane parts to the plans. Also, I’d place wax paper over the plans too protect it from superglue. Hope that helps. TK
Welcome to the forums,hope this place can work out for your interests
Hi;
I will tell you this. My go to was a Sewing pattern Board. It’s something those who sew use to layout the cloth pieces to assemble garments.It’s a heavy cardboard I believe.My first one lasted over ten years. Go to a Micheals or J0-annes store and see if they have what I am talking about.
First pin down or tape the instructions or plans. Then Cover with Waxed paper. Yup! Waxed paper.( You can see through it and even Ambroid glue won’t stick to it!)
Foam core poster board from the local art supply shop. As noted, attach your plans & cover with waxed paper
I do an occasional rubber band balsa/tissue as a static bird. Cork bulletin board for this old school guy.
Welcome to the forums! One the guys in our club builds primarily flying models, too. They’re beautiful to see. I look forward to seeing your models, too.
Best regards,
Brad
I use to buy ceiling tiles and glue them to a 2 1/2’ X 5’ x 1/2" particle board sheet. The particle board will hold everything streight and the ceiling tiles allow pins.
I used a cheap cork-covered bulletin board [like Goldhammer] from the dimestore (they had those, then). It was dead-flat, easily moveable when required…and the shiny metal edge seemed to discourage my sister’s cat from trying to leap up there. (Maybe she thought it was a tiger-trap… [:D])
I’m sure dollar stores or the like have something similar. My guess is the Staples/Office Depot versions will be a bit dearer.
Good luck!
BTW…Tim’s wise words aside…I suspect many on this forum “of a certain age” started out building balsa kits, back in the time when dinosaurs ruled the earth. Mine were nearly the whole range of Guillow WW1 biplanes…most flown to well-earned destruction “over the front” [i.e., in the back yard…)
I’m like a lot of the “older” members here in that I used to build the stick & tissue planes, and still do once in a while. Still have about 1/2 doz. in the stash. The foam (blue) wallboard available at Home Depot, Lowes and others is great for pinning the plans and wax paper on. Comes in 4’ x8’ sheets and cuts easily. Most of the time, they will cut it for you. Lasts a long time and not very expensive either.
I have been useing it for taking plastic models to shows. I cut a piece to fit a 22" x16" plastic storage box, line up the models to fit and put toothpicks into the board around the models to hold them in place. Haven’t had one come loose. Most trips to shows are from 1 to 2-1/2 hours.
Hope that this helps.
Jim [cptn]
Stay Safe.
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