Stuff I want to know about!

[winchweight]

There are loads of things out there that experienced modellers use all the time, stuff like Chemiwood, lithoplate, Poly C, Aluclad etc. The list goes on. So how about a featured magazine item on what it is, how to use it and where to get it?

What other stuff would you all like to see?

What do you use that maybe we should know about?

[RCM&E]

Nice thread, Shaun. I think there are perhaps some things we sometimes take for granted when putting together articles, so I think a feature such as the one you suggest would be a great idea. If you and others list in this thread the kind of items you'd like some information on, then hopefully some helpful souls will come in and offer up some of the answers you're after. I'll then gladly compile the information together (plus research into any areas we're not sure of collectively) and write up a feature. I think it'd be a great resource for many model flyers out there.

[Ian Muir]

Yes, motor power related to model size or weight as related to a beginner flier and builder, this in relation to servo/battery requirements?
In my case in relation to electric 2D/poly home made models. ian

[winchweight]

Well there's the four topics in my original post. Other stuff? Well

1. Lipos - a back to basics from voltages, terminology, charge rates, discharge rates. Simple stuff like measuring current draw and using wattmeters and basic multimeters etc.

2. Brushless motors - Terminology, matching with Lipos and ESCs, size comparison to i/c? Installation in models.

3. ESCs - Programming, matching to motors and batteries. Use of programme cards.

4. Four Strokes - Setting up, maintainace and adjustment... real noddy stuff.

5. Intro to tuned pipes - different types of tuning e.g. rpm and noise etc, installation and matching to engines.

5. Retracts - installing mechanicals. Installing pneumatics. Control of said system. Retract servos types and differences, rate controllers, setting up to a tx channel when building.

There's a few to be going on with. I appreciate some of these are covered in general terms in product reviews, but how about a month by month lesson package? But keep it simple and pertinant to the beginner in these areas.

[RCM&E]

Some interesting ideas there, Shaun. I'll keep a note and see what we can come up with.

[Barry Taylor]

Couldn't agree more with Shaun's choices and especially products like those mentioned(and others). I for one know little about what products are out there to help make building easier e.g. only just found out the other day what CA activator does and why I used the wrong CA for fixing my canopy, causing it to bloom. Experienced modellers know these things and take their knowledge for granted. Why not have an article on these sort of tips or maybe use this thread to share your knowledge by offering "common or garden" tips - I'm sure there are lots of guys out there who would like to know "how to suck eggs". In fact why not have a thread entitled "Model Building Tips for All" then we'd have a one stop shop instead or having to rummage around all the various threads.

Quite like some know how on epoxy glassing and paint/airbrushing techniques because I hate solarfilming.

[Nev]

Hi there, like a lot of people it seems, I’ve done a bit of modelling before and coming back to try RC after a long lay off, so I like the sound of this thread (article in the making). What puzzles me is not so much the build side, although I enjoy learning anything new but the equipment i.e.

Can you mix up RC equipment ? RX’s and XTALS for instance. My local shop will sell another manufacturers XTAL it they haven’t got the correct one. It would seems everybody has a GWS RX in park flyer somewhere but I bet there not all flown with a GWS, TX’s. Are all Tx’s and Rx’s compatible ? It may be obvious to the experienced and maybe the beginner doesn’t question it.

How do I work out how big a servo I need to move the elevator. The articles about servo’s and control in the Special were great but I’m ready for the second instalment. I started with small electrics so there’s a temptation to put £6, 9g servos in everything because they worked before and why not ? Comments like “use a good quality servo” don’t really help.

Can I really use tape hinges for the ailerons on a 3Lb, 50”, 300 W electric TEXAN kit I’m building and what about snakes, linkages and fittings etc. One good reliable method will do for a start, we can experiment later.

I know a lot of this is down to personal preference but as beginners we haven’t had chance yet to form any, so we need the pros and cons. What I want to do is a bit of pick and mix from all the good stuff out there, but I don’t know what works together. After several months of reading Nigel’s column I’ve chosen a power train that works well and at a good price, so the effort isn’t wasted.

Mind you, that big radial cowl looks scary ! should I have allowed for that when deciding on the prop size for the motor set up ??? Went on a bit there, sorry, I’m new to forums too.

[Peter Wetherall]

Shaun you have read my mind.
As a returnee to rc (22year gap) I'm reading about things that make no sense 3s1p lipos or elec motors with 20 numbers!!! and whats this foam stuff!
Shaun your second thread that list would make an excellent series in rcm&e and make me subscribe as well.

[Danny Fenton]

Excellent thread Shaun, you have hit a chord with me on many of the subjects you mention. I am returning too after 25 years, and am frantically reading everything I can but still struggling with some of the "leccy" terms especially as Peter says 3s1p???
Sources for materials mentioned in articles is also a good idea. eg, I used to get lith plate from a printer I knew long ago, where do others get it??

[winchweight]

Danny, Peter. Hi. Tom Bailey has taken note of this thread and hopefully we'll see some of this stuff in feature in the near future.


Oh..... welcome back!

[Allan Jordan]

Hi. Shaun. Lots of good stuff in your thread
mate. While were on the subject of what to use, can anyone tell me how to distinguish
"Lite-ply" from the ordinary stuff I buy in
B&Q? Regards. Allan J ... TTFN

[Danny Fenton]

Hi Allan, this may be a naieve observation on my part and I am sure others will have a more technical description, but Light ply seems to consist of two layers of 1/32" wood sandwiching a thicker layer of wood. I dont like the stuff, its brittle and warps if you look at it with a squint in your eye. Real marine quality or even aircraft quality ply has equal thickness's of each layer, so a piece of 1/4" ply will be made up of say 8 x 1/32" layers, all glued with a waterproof glue. Cheap ply may not use a waterproof glue and will delaminate when wet.
please somebody dive in with a more technical answer of the type of wood used as I think aircraft or marine ply tends to be birch?? LOL

[Phil Brooks]

As I understand it, lite ply has a thicker centre layer because it's balsa. So not only does it warp, it's not that strong! Nasty.

While we're asking for information, can I put in a plea for more helicopter gen? I'd like to see an article, or even series, similar to the beginners fixed wing series currently running. I know nothing about flying model helicopters, and will probably never own one, but I do own a flight sim (aerofly) with several helicopters in it's aircraft list, and would like to know how to set up my Tx to utilise all those exotic sounding heli-only functions. Who knows, if I manage to master a virtual chopper, I might be tempted to try the real thing.

Finally, still on sims, how about including the necessary data in kit reviews, etc, so that we can simulate the model being tested in our PCs? I enjoy reading what other flyers think of a given model, but it doesn't tell me whether I could handle it. It may be too time consuming and expensive to do for all models, perhaps an occasional article detailing all the necessary parameters for a popular or interesting plane could be run. Is it time for the editorial staff to recognise that some readers spend as much, if not more time, at the virtual flying field than at the real one.

[David Ashby - Moderator]

Phil and everyone -
great suggestions, keep 'em coming.

We've got a beginners helicopter series planned soon and we've been talking about having more flying comments on kit reviews given that the increasing pre-build in ARTF kits.

[John Melville]

Good idea shaun, I found your thread because, although relatively new to model flying I am in the same way in need of basic information. Whilst from an electrical background and having digested all available information from RCM&E I remain hungry for more in order to complete the picture. It is unfortunately human nature that those in the know sometimes take their knowledge for granted which leads to some very usefull information being passed on but with essential bits missing, leaving the novice more confused. I am just about comming to terms with electric motor numbers, prop sizes and batteries etc but to match everything properly specialist instruments are required ie amp and voltmeters, better still a wattmeter. An article on this aspect of our hobby would be very usefull

[David Ashby - Moderator]

Nigel Hawes has written a great article that should help John. I'll be in our autumn special issue out around end of Sept.

David.

[winchweight]

Hello..... I'd forgotten this thread. Nice to see it's still useful. Hi John. I am relatively new, although I've been around r/c for about 15yrs. I am a recent A cert, and coming on in leaps and bounds, or I would be if it ever stopped raining. I have found this forum and others to be a great source of info. If you have questions, just ask here.
:)

[Lee Morgan]

Right ok heres my penny. Tuning 2 stroke and 4 stroke. I had to prize it out of my grandad with a crow bar. "its all in the sound" Is there a more definitive explination. Oh and not to forget these big engines off strimmers. hmmmmmm

Lee

Still a good thread

[John Melville]

Thanks David I'm looking forward to it, in the meantime can anyone recommend a suitable wattmeter, where to get it from and sort of price I should be prepared to pay ?

[the unmagnificent man]

Great thread Shaun, I missed this thread first time round I didnt join until it had dropped down the listings. I really like the ideas from 02/02/07 21:16:21 and would like to see some of the things mentioned appear in the mag. I would also like to see a monthly competition of some description. I love winning stuff lol :) Al

[Stephen Peart]

can anyone give me a bit of advice how to wire in a dedicated battery pack for the mechanical retracts on my Spit please? Trying to avoid draining on the main battery!

[Aslan]

Stephen,I use a Y lead.Connect to rx as usual,but cut out red wire.Plug servo into one and battery into other connector.

[the unmagnificent man]

Stephen, you may be better off starting a new thread of your own in either the beginners, models and accessories, or all things flying catagories so that the title will appear on the list. this will probably be noticed by more people. OOPS, sorry Aslan, im not saying your idea is in any way wrong.... :) Al

[Stephen Peart]

Thanks for the advice Aslan and Al. I'll try both those suggestions. Still not that clear how your idea will work in my case Aslan, since I forgot to mention that all available connections are in use. Look forward to picking this up again with you in a new thread, and I'll try and be more specific about my problem.