I wrote this article to cover a very basic part of scratch building that I think was not covered clearly. Thinking that there is no better way to show one how to do it then making a video. So I made that video showing you the beginner scratch builders out there how I take printed PDF plans from Flite Test, glue them together and transfer on to the foam board. Then I finish with some tips on how I cut the parts out. In the interest of time, I show how to cut one part, picking the horizontal stabilizer for the FT3D. So let's get in to it shall we?
Please rate this 5 stars if it helped you.
I get the plans from Flite Test build articles in PDF format. I then print it off as “actual size”, vertical.
[video='http://youtu.be/aTekPlIS13c']
I don't like to lay out the plans and glue or tape everything all together at the same time. What I like to do is, just find the pieces individually arrange, glue and cut them out.
Then I tape it to the "ugly side" of the foam board.
Then transfer the lines by using a razor blade and cut just through the two layers of paper (plans/foam board paper).
Update: This is where I have changed things. Now instead of cutting through the plans I use a common ball point pen and press down enough to leave an impression in the foam board. There by saving the plans for another day. Some even cover the plans with tape.
Then I cut out the part from the poster board.
Then I move to the details.
So there it is, a finished part ready for building.
Flite Test did make a quick tip on this now: https://youtu.be/wxIeXBna8YI
Log In to reply
Log In to reply
Log In to reply
Log In to reply
Log In to reply
Log In to reply
Log In to reply
1. The pin method per lusid666
2. The carbon paper/trace method per resp20
3. The cut-through method per nic872. Affix the plans with a light coat of repositionable, non-permanent glue to the foam board, cut out the pattern, and then peel off the plans and discard.
4. The template method per GrayHare. Carefully cut out the plans and use them as reusable templates.
5. The pin & template method, my favorite. Buy a kit and use the pin and template method. This way you save a lot of time, get an accurate reusable template which in the end can be used for a build, and most importantly, support Flite Test for the wonderful things they are doing for this hobby.
Thank you for starting the conversation.
Log In to reply
Log In to reply
Log In to reply