Elliott Mcdonald Posted September 4, 2012 Share Posted September 4, 2012 Hi everyone, My name is Elliott and I have been into modeling and rc planes since I can remember (although not put the two together untill now) Im 20 and have had my spark for modeling ignighted by my father-in-law, he is a CI down the local air cadets who have just been bought a top flite gold edition 60" wingspan spitfire to build (not a good idea for a bunch of 14/15 year olds un seasoned flyers and modellers) which in turn got me and him wanting our own. I have just bought a guillow's Cessna 170 for £20 (as I do not mind going wrong with it) and I am buying a discovery trainer later this month. The Cessna is to practice with the build aspect and cutting balsa neatly and precicly and the discovery is to get my no experience flight to some experience. I thought I would join a forum and get to know other like-minded people and hopefully get some hints and tips from you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted September 4, 2012 Share Posted September 4, 2012 Hi there and welcome. You will get a lot of advice and help here, some of it conflicting as aeromodellers tend to be individualistic and have their own ideas. As you say, the Topflite Spitfire is hardly an ideal first build and definitely not a first model to fly but I suspect the magic word "Spitfire" will help with the enthusiasm. One of the first bits of advice everyone will give you is: Join a club to learn to fly. Find out what mode of radio the club flies on. That is whether they fly with the throttle on the right (mode 1) or left stick (Mode 20 as it is hard to teach someone when they are on a different model. I am sure you are going to get a mass more suggestions in the very near future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Ashby - Moderator Posted September 4, 2012 Share Posted September 4, 2012 Hi Elliott, welcome from me too. Is that the ST Discovery trainer? If so then that's a good choice, the model has had lots of good reports. Any questions then don't hesitate to ask. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josip Vrandecic -Mes Posted September 4, 2012 Share Posted September 4, 2012 Hello Elliott , welcome , You are on the right place...enjoy..... Cheers Joe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Grigg Posted September 4, 2012 Share Posted September 4, 2012 Good thinking with the father in law on the Spitfire ."Sorry lads its to difficult for you to fly I will have to fly it for you" Then he can hand out chuck gliders Have fun Elliott Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elliott Mcdonald Posted September 6, 2012 Author Share Posted September 6, 2012 Cheers for all the replys and yes it is the ST discovery I hear its quite robust espiecially with the kind of landings new flyers tend to make I will have to check out local clubs see what I can find Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biggles' Elder Brother - Moderator Posted September 6, 2012 Share Posted September 6, 2012 Hi Elliot and welcome. Yes a club is definitely a smart move. You'll get lots of "hands-on" help there and free flying instruction. Your first models will definitely last longer that way! BEB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elliott Mcdonald Posted September 7, 2012 Author Share Posted September 7, 2012 Cheers for the advice just e-mailed kempton park model flying club asking a few questions so hopefully can get the ball rolling with that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danny Fenton Posted September 7, 2012 Share Posted September 7, 2012 hi Elliot, welcome to the forum great to have you aboard. Any questions just fire away, as Peter says we all have our favorite ways of doing things so no right or wrong ways. Cheers Danny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elliott Mcdonald Posted September 7, 2012 Author Share Posted September 7, 2012 I have 1 question actually, as stated above I have bought a cessna 170 just to practice with balsa and I am using a model knife (rather scalpal looking) and trying to find a technique of cutting without breaking 'sawing' doesnt seem to work very well and have turned to using the knife more like a pin straight down which seems to be working better. Am i using the wrong knife or am I cutting wrong? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biggles' Elder Brother - Moderator Posted September 7, 2012 Share Posted September 7, 2012 The key with using a knife is 1. noting what direction the grain of the wood is in relative to the curve. The knife will always want to follow the grain as you draw it along. So always cut in the direction that would draw the knife away from the part. 2. having a really sharp knife - it can't be too sharp! A new scalpel blade will only last for a realtively small number of cuts. I use 3 Swan Morton scalpel holders. One with a very new blade for critcal cuts, one with a middleing blade for general cutting, one with an older blade for stuff that doesn't matter - like cutting the nipple off the end of the glue spout! As the new "goes off" I relegate it to the middle, the middle becomes the "cut anything" and the third gets a new blade. 3.last thing - its so much easier with a good cutting mat - one of the green "self healing" ones are best. They hold and support the blade while it cuts without dulling it. BEB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elliott Mcdonald Posted September 8, 2012 Author Share Posted September 8, 2012 Cheers BEB changed the blade on my knife and taking note of the of the things you have said im breaking less bits now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piers Bowlan Posted September 8, 2012 Share Posted September 8, 2012 Hi Elliott, I tend not to use scalpel blades (Swan Morton) myself but the small size retractable blade 'Olfa' cutters available from stationers and DIY shops work for me. The blades are segmented so you can keep breaking off a section when they lose their edge. The blades with the 30 degree point are best. The replacement blades are cheap too. As far as cutting thicker sheets of balsa (5mm+), across the grain, I find a razor saw is essential. Again Swan Morton make them but I have one made by Tamiya which I prefer. Alternatively I find it better to gently but repetitively score the wood (against a steel rule) rather than trying to cut through in one go and end up crushing the wood. I agree with BEB, a large cutting mat is essential to prolong the life of the blades. Other useful items are a razor plane and a perma-grit block for sanding. The perma-grit blocks are not cheap but last forever. Once you 'discover' them you will end up buying a collection in various sizes, I did at any rate, much better than sand paper. Before you know it you will soon be hooked on this absorbing hobby. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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