GrahamC Posted November 29, 2012 Share Posted November 29, 2012 Gary, for what it's worth, I think it has more to do with personality than skill. Do you tend to finish things, or leave them hanging? Some people are starters. In modeling terms they buy kits, and begin construction with enthusiasm, when they have several unfinished projects already! I think for me, I finish builds, not because I am particularly skilled; lots of people are neater than me, but because I just keep at it steadily. My Spit took six months, my Zero is now six months in and a long way off being finished, but I will keep plugging away. I have a self imposed rule of no more than two projects on the go at any one time. This helps me not get bored as I can take a break from a project, but makes sure I finish things. I get far more satisfaction from a build than an ARTF, even though it costs a lot more! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biggles' Elder Brother - Moderator Posted November 29, 2012 Share Posted November 29, 2012 Gary, the Tucano Mass Build Project is aimed primarily at folks exactly like you - that is the entire point of doing it. We shortlist models that are straightforward to build, select one, then run loads of build blogs so that the "less experienced" (you!) get to see exactly how its done. Buy the laser cut kit and all the difficult cutting is done for you. All your left with is cutting some lengths of strip - and frankly you don't have to get them spot on. My advice would be that the Mass Build is best opportunity you are going to get to obtain guidance in how to build a model. Not only can you "follow along", if you're stuck - you just ask, simples! BEB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bouncebounce crunch Posted November 29, 2012 Share Posted November 29, 2012 Gary you have nothing to lose and plenty to gain by just having a go. You will never regret it, even if things don't work out first time. Just think of the repairs you will easily do to a damaged ARF or weak points in an ARF that you can sort out for longevity, after gaining some skills in building you may end up addicted. be warned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Etheridge 1 Posted November 29, 2012 Share Posted November 29, 2012 Well years ago that's all we had was 'trad builds' so it was a case of serving an apprenticeship starting with the simple Keil Kraft,Veron and Mercury and even some Jetex kits. The only one I failed to construct was the Keil Kraft Avro 707,I just could not cope with the symmetric wing spars. From the flying point of view the first really successful model was the Keil; Kraft Dolphin glider. Progression from there to the Keil Kraft Pirate just about finished my apprenticeship but of course there were always things to learn. To be honest traditional builds like the Ben Buckle / Keil Kraft range are manageable but I do remember friends who started out with relatively complex kits failed to complete them. There is a chap who lives on the opposite side of the road to me who has been building a Super 60 over the last three years. At present the fuselage is bent so it needs a level of re-construction----I might get involved! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biggles' Elder Brother - Moderator Posted November 29, 2012 Share Posted November 29, 2012 Ah, the Dolphin Glider - I built one of those at school in the "Model Club" in about 1969. Sort of flew! BEB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary watson 1 Posted November 29, 2012 Author Share Posted November 29, 2012 could you please tell me what tools i will need to build the tucano kit? thanks Gary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biggles' Elder Brother - Moderator Posted November 29, 2012 Share Posted November 29, 2012 A good knife - Swan Morton scapel is fine. Glue. PVA and maybe a small bottle of Cyano. sanding block and some sand paper of 120 and 400 grit. A square A 1m straight edge - cheap T section or the like from B&Q - nothing special A couple of clamps A pin vice and a set of small drills Small screwdrivers - crosshead and slot. A pair of pliers A soldering iron A pair of scissors! A small saw - a junior hacksaw would do - a razor saw would be a bonus, but not essential A good stock of elastic bands of various sizes - act as cheap clamps Some pins A 12" steel rule Something to act as a building board. Access to an iron to apply covering That's all I can think of at present. You will probably already have much of this, as many of these are tools you'd need to assemble an ARTF anyway. You could of course triple this list with "nice to have's" but I reckon you could build the model with that and few things I might have forgotten. BEB Edited By Biggles' Elder Brother - Moderator on 29/11/2012 23:41:22 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary watson 1 Posted December 1, 2012 Author Share Posted December 1, 2012 thanks for the list of tools got most of that ,what do you use for a building board ,dont think swmbo likes the idea of sticking pins into the top of the dining table Gary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Bennett Posted December 1, 2012 Share Posted December 1, 2012 sheet of plaster board works wonders. i have 2 4ft x 2ft plaster board building boards that can be joined together for big wings or fuselages. its hand cos you can keep something pinned to one board and lean it against the wall while you do something else Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Bott - Moderator Posted December 1, 2012 Share Posted December 1, 2012 You;ll get lots of different answers for the building board Gary. Having not believed it would be any good for a very long time, I now exclusively use plasterboard. Available in quite a few sizes from DIY outlets, it's quite portable in the size you'll need for the Tucano, sits flat on a flat table and takes and holds pins really well. It's really not expensive either. In fact I used quite a small offcut when I built the similar sized Whizzza. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrahamC Posted December 1, 2012 Share Posted December 1, 2012 Another vote for plasterboard. I wasn't sure, and have tried other things, but plasterboard is by far and away the best solution I have found. It is completely flat, takes pins well and holds them too. Its also cheap and readily available. If you have a local B&Q you will find that they do a handy sheet which is smaller than standard and costs just over £3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Walters Posted December 1, 2012 Share Posted December 1, 2012 Me for plasterboard too! Terry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bouncebounce crunch Posted December 1, 2012 Share Posted December 1, 2012 Gary, If you have any problems getting any tools or paraphenalia needed for building your models, heres what to do. Use the household iron for covering models use wifes toothbrush for cleaning parts use pins from wifes sewing kit use wifes scissors use pegs from washing line use wifes hair elastics break the blades from wifes razors Now make sure each time you get caught using these products to explain that it would be much better to have the right tool for the job but these will do for the next model as well. you will soon get a collection together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary watson 1 Posted December 1, 2012 Author Share Posted December 1, 2012 That put a smile on me face,read it out to the wife and she said "would you like her to build it as well" lol.Most of the tools are the wifes anyway as she is big into crafts.Plasterboard ! i would never have thought of that. thanks Gary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bouncebounce crunch Posted December 2, 2012 Share Posted December 2, 2012 Gary, explain politely to your lovely, not to be ridiculous, she won't have time to bring your biscuits and cups of tea. ???? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Davis Posted December 2, 2012 Share Posted December 2, 2012 I use pinboard, the type of board used for school noticeboards, glued to a chipboard base but I can see the appeal of plasterboard, it's flat, cheap and disposable once it becomes unserviceable. However, don't you get bits of plaster falling on the floor when you remove the pins? A houseproud SWMBO would not be amused! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ernie Posted December 2, 2012 Share Posted December 2, 2012 Hi Gary,SWIMBO uses my tools for the strangest of household tasks ernie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.