John Lee Posted January 31, 2023 Share Posted January 31, 2023 A double sided razor blade snapped in half is all you need. At least that was all I started with when I were a lad....... 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Gates Posted January 31, 2023 Share Posted January 31, 2023 I am going to assume you have basic DIY tools, drill & bits, knives, measures, straight edges ect. These can be pressed into service until specialist items are required / wanted. For me, my number 1 buy would be a good flat board to build on with a layer of plaster board on to to take the pins. Warped board - warped plane. Then it would be cutting / sanding tools. As others have said Swan Morton scalpel & blades I find are best. Sanding tools - a good firm sanding block. Ideally some Permagrip ones. If you are going to cut your own ribs & formers then one of their 1/8" slotting sanders is brilliant for making the slots. If you are intending to cut your own strip material from sheet then a good stripper will pay dividends. I use a Kavan one which does not rely on having a fixed channel to run the stripper in. Watch out for household items which are square blocks (as in right angled) and have weight. These are ideal for propping items up to keep them square while glue dries. I have a load of 6v emergency lighting gel batteries which are great for this purpose. Things to avoid.... "Borrowing" the pegs from the washing line. Likewise with dress making pins. For the sake of household harmony buy your own pegs & pins, pound shops are ideal for these sorts of things. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrumpyGnome Posted January 31, 2023 Share Posted January 31, 2023 (edited) 1 hour ago, TerryC123 said: Like the look of Ben Buckle Electric Junior 60!! If you get that, you'll need minimum stuff... and some will depend on how you kit it out and what additional items you'll buy. Probably: A board to build it on A knife to cut balsa Sanding block & sandpaper Tiny screwdrivers for servo screws Small Allen keys for wheel collets (or you could solder some wire/washers) Pins Glues Something to drill little holes for servos - a pin vice and bits will do fine and save the expense of a Dremel Some household tools: Pliers Stanley knife Edited January 31, 2023 by GrumpyGnome 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerryC123 Posted January 31, 2023 Author Share Posted January 31, 2023 WOW!! Brilliant!! its all down to Knowledge!! Thank you all so much, I think I have about a quarter of the things you have suggested in the garage!! but will start off simple and add as I go along.....or need. Really really appreciate all your helpful ideas. Thank You Terry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kc Posted January 31, 2023 Share Posted January 31, 2023 If you build the Junior 60 then you will want a razor saw because the 1/4 sq construction needs lots of accurate joints. A midget hacksaw might suffice but a razor saw or japanese fine saw will be better. ( I dont think Flair make kits now -might be wrong - but Ben Buckle do. also see the Junior 60 plans on Outerzone and maybe consider the Super 60 ) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerryC123 Posted January 31, 2023 Author Share Posted January 31, 2023 6 minutes ago, kc said: If you build the Junior 60 then you will want a razor saw because the 1/4 sq construction needs lots of accurate joints. A midget hacksaw might suffice but a razor saw or japanese fine saw will be better. ( I dont think Flair make kits now -might be wrong - but Ben Buckle do. also see the Junior 60 plans on Outerzone and maybe consider the Super 60 ) Electric is for me, the way to go!! Apart from the 3inches in the wingspane (I know, size does matter😁) What would be the main advantages? building the super 60!!?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ace Posted January 31, 2023 Share Posted January 31, 2023 Not seen one mentioned but if applying heat shrink covering then a model covering iron or small travel iron will be useful. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevin b Posted January 31, 2023 Share Posted January 31, 2023 Has anybody mentioned Aldi and Lidl for buying tools ? For our purposes a lot of their "cheap" tools are more than up to the task. Unfortunately as the pound store wars seem to have finished some of our sources for cheap tools / materials are now becoming a bit more expensive. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kc Posted January 31, 2023 Share Posted January 31, 2023 Super 60 is a later version of the Junior 60 and made for RC instead of free flight . Longer nose which helps get battery forward. Looks better? Flys beautifully and is a better trainer. Plans on Outerzone and plans and kits from Ben Buckle. You won't go wrong with either but it's your choice. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrumpyGnome Posted January 31, 2023 Share Posted January 31, 2023 2 hours ago, kc said: If you build the Junior 60 then you will want a razor saw because the 1/4 sq construction needs lots of accurate joints. A midget hacksaw might suffice but a razor saw or japanese fine saw will be better. ( I dont think Flair make kits now -might be wrong - but Ben Buckle do. also see the Junior 60 plans on Outerzone and maybe consider the Super 60 ) Yeah, a small razor saw would make cutting stringers easier. BB J60 is an excellent kit and flies beautifully. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Chaddock Posted January 31, 2023 Share Posted January 31, 2023 My only advice "it is not so much the quality of the tool as the skill of the user." Yes having the right tool can make a job easier but working out how to "make do" with what you have available is an important skill to keep the budget under control. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul De Tourtoulon Posted February 1, 2023 Share Posted February 1, 2023 Sorry but not a Junior 60 fan for a beginner, if you are into 3 channel planes a Baron is a cheap and easy alternative the planes are on theouterzone site, I would get a std high wing trainer type with ailerons 3 wheel undercarriage and a .40 size engine that will take std size servos, there is more fun flying a 4 channel plane. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerryC123 Posted February 1, 2023 Author Share Posted February 1, 2023 45 minutes ago, Paul De Tourtoulon said: Sorry but not a Junior 60 fan for a beginner, if you are into 3 channel planes a Baron is a cheap and easy alternative the planes are on theouterzone site, I would get a std high wing trainer type with ailerons 3 wheel undercarriage and a .40 size engine that will take std size servos, there is more fun flying a 4 channel plane. Am going for Electric, but take your point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kc Posted February 1, 2023 Share Posted February 1, 2023 It would be best to visit your local club and see what the instructors suggest. Most instructors have a favourite - maybe the Chris Foss Uno Wot etc. Many clubs have a club trainer to give newcomers a try first, this might give you a clue as to whether you need a slow flying model that corrects any errors you make ( Junior 60 would do this ) or a heavier faster trainer which has ailerons and less dihedral ( needs more constant control) if you get the hang of it straight away. All depends on personal factors -age, eyesight, reactions or experience with model cars etc. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Lee Posted February 1, 2023 Share Posted February 1, 2023 1 hour ago, Paul De Tourtoulon said: there is more fun flying a 4 channel plane. I beg to differ. I fly all sorts - EDF, 3D, Aerobatic, Gliders, Helicopters etc. But I get just as much, if not more, fun flying my 3 channel electric Super 60 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flying Squirrel Posted February 1, 2023 Share Posted February 1, 2023 Does anybody have a cheap source or alternative to steel 123 blocks, they seem expensive for what they are? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lauriew58 Posted February 1, 2023 Share Posted February 1, 2023 Try Arc Euro Trade they do metric blocks for a reasonable (always subjective) price. Dasqua do fair priced imperial ones. Hope that helps, Laurie. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kc Posted February 1, 2023 Share Posted February 1, 2023 (edited) It depends what you want the 123 blocks for - If they are just to be used as a weight with square edges then a couple of old 12 v Gel Cells like the 6 amp hr ones used for starting glow engines will come in very handy. Edited February 1, 2023 by kc 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuban8 Posted February 1, 2023 Share Posted February 1, 2023 3 hours ago, Paul De Tourtoulon said: Sorry but not a Junior 60 fan for a beginner, if you are into 3 channel planes a Baron is a cheap and easy alternative the planes are on theouterzone site, I would get a std high wing trainer type with ailerons 3 wheel undercarriage and a .40 size engine that will take std size servos, there is more fun flying a 4 channel plane. Tend to agree with you Paul - certainly not a one size fits all issue, but I found that the limited flight envelope of many of the classic old timers to be very restrictive when it comes to learning. Fine when radio was in its infancy with single channel, or all the push a button for left and two pushes for right, or whatever it was, but not with modern multi channel proportional gear. Depends on the pupil and how they wish to progress, but IMHO a good 4 channel trainer that is not over-powered and is set up for a beginner will be a far superior teaching instrument than a very lightly loaded vintage type. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerryC123 Posted February 1, 2023 Author Share Posted February 1, 2023 9 hours ago, John Lee said: I beg to differ. I fly all sorts - EDF, 3D, Aerobatic, Gliders, Helicopters etc. But I get just as much, if not more, fun flying my 3 channel electric Super 60 !!Now looks brilliant!! love that!! do you want to sell it!!!😁. JL is there a plan for the electric conversion?? I want to come and live with you!!!!! (not really)!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Fry Posted February 1, 2023 Share Posted February 1, 2023 I don’t disagree. I once acquired a pupil who had one, found in an attic. It was a very forgiving thing to steer about. Now it suited my pupil as it turned out. He never disclosed his eyesight problems. But it is what it is. But as a first build, not complaining. No messing with ailerons, making the goal, build a straight wing. All complicated enough to challenge, simple and short enough to finish. And if it fly’s, and you made it, you just might be hooked. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Hilton Posted February 1, 2023 Share Posted February 1, 2023 Super 60 is a much better flyer than a junior .It’s also possible to build one with ailerons which improves things further 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Lee Posted February 1, 2023 Share Posted February 1, 2023 1 hour ago, TerryC123 said: !!Now looks brilliant!! love that!! do you want to sell it!!!😁. JL is there a plan for the electric conversion?? I want to come and live with you!!!!! (not really)!! Full disclosure - afraid I did not build it! I was very fortunate to pick it up at local swapmeet a five or six years ago. By coincidence I popped over to see Bernard, the builder who I had not seen since purchasing it, last week to pick up an original DB Tinker (40inch span sport biplane from the 70's) kit. He is selling off a number of his planes which are to the same standard on the BMFA Classifieds at the moment but unfortunately he is a long way away from you in Cheshire. However amongst his items is a Belair Junior 60 short kit which you may just be interested in. Link to his advert. And Link to the kit manufacturer. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Outrunner Posted February 1, 2023 Share Posted February 1, 2023 56 minutes ago, Alan Hilton said: Super 60 is a much better flyer than a junior .It’s also possible to build one with ailerons which improves things further Not better, just different type of model. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrumpyGnome Posted February 1, 2023 Share Posted February 1, 2023 J60 flies beautifully. And it's a nice first build, requiring minimal tools. Fits the bill well. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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