1st Time Balsa Build, MM Tom-E-Boy 150

TTF

PHD in Crashology!
I originally wanted to be a part of the winter build, but got a late start so here goes.
I picked the Mountain Models ( http://www.mountainmodels.com/index.php)
Tom-E-Boy 150 Tom-E-Boy150-Web2m (1).jpg
( http://www.mountainmodels.com/product_info.php?products_id=715 ) after many, many, did I mention many messages with Turbo Joe and Joker 53150. A big thank you to them for their patience. My main considerations were, rookie pilot, easy to build, learn new skills, old school look, and be park flyerish size.
I received, (although a little late), the kit and it was well packaged and not damaged.
package.jpg
The plans are included and very easy to read. If you want to follow along, which I hope you will, and want to give advice, guide, your own two cents, all of which are highly requested. Or you can just laugh which isnt requested but expected. The manual can be down loaded here. ( http://www.mountainmodels.com/product_info.php?products_id=715 ).
I first opened and inspected all the wood which appeared to be in tack and accounted for. wooden parts.jpg
I then began to sand the back of the parts removing scorch marks and thinning a bit according to the manual using 320 grit. (ok guys my first balsa dust insert comment here, so magical!).
sanded.jpg
I removed the first pieces and checked for fit. Let me say that the parts remove effortlessly and makes sanding a bit challenging at times, but nice laser work by MM. I glued the main wing spars together. I laid out the plans (a copy, maybe my first balsa but not my first plane!), and began to pin, fit in ribs and finally did all the alignment.
Then the moment of truth, how will be do with the CA, too much? too little? ... I think I did ok with all the joints.
wing half assembly.jpg
A couple of spots got away from me, but hey I'm learning.
So at this point I just completed Step 5 if your following along in the manual. I will post more as I get it done. I hope that you will consider subscribing to the thread and help me along and thanks for reading so far!
 

Turbojoe

Elite member
Thanks for the PM heads up on your build thread. You're doing a fantastic job! Haven't flown mine (or anything else) in quite a while but I just pulled my Tom-E-Boy 150 out and put it where I can't miss it. If weather cooperates this weekend I may get her out to blow the dust off. You are really going to love this bird. Keep her light and make sure the CG is spot on and she's pure magic in the air.

Joe
 

jsknockoff

Active member
Mentor
Not too late to join in the build along. I'm pretty sure none of us have reached completion so far.

Good choice for a first balsa try, that plane looks like it would fly great no matter what.
 

Craftydan

Hostage Taker of Quads
Staff member
Moderator
Mentor
I originally wanted to be a part of the winter build, but got a late start so here goes.

Ignore the weather outside, it's still winter ;)

Looks like you're off to a great start!
 

Turbojoe

Elite member
I don't remember if I passed this along to you or not but here is the link to my Tom-E-Boy 150 build thread on WattFlyer.LINK
Can't believe that was over two years ago! It really was a fun (but short) build. It goes together crazy fast.

Joe
 

Turbojoe

Elite member
Well here's the only downside to the Tom-E-Boy. I got mine out last night. Did a thorough pre-flight to make sure everything was still tight and straight after not having been flown in many many months. Everything was good so I charged up a bunch of 2S 300mah packs from my micro helis in anticipation of flying the wings off her today. Hmm, 5 mph steady with 17mph gusts are not conducive to safe flight for a 5.5 ounce airplane. From the looks of the trees in the backyard I think the wind is higher than the local weather station is reporting. Doesn't look much better for tomorrow either. A shame too because temp is in the low to mid 60's and not a cloud in the sky. Looks like I'll have to try next weekend. :(

Some don't mind flying in wind. It's not even close to enjoyable for me. Fighting the wind constantly makes it work, not fun.


Joe
 

TTF

PHD in Crashology!
Update

Ok so here is the update, I have assembled all assemblies and we are currently on Step 33. The build goes rather quicly. I highly recommend doing the back sanding as the pieces almost jump right out of the frame (it happened and it did cause an issue. Only one piece had a major issue and that was in the wood as it cracked through the thickness. I have some questions about sanding of wing, nose and a big time whoops. I will be making three separate entries so that I each can get their necessary attention. Again, this is my first build so any advice would be greatly appreciated and needed!

So here it is just mocked up:
Mock Up.jpg

And in separate assemblies ( a good eye will catch the whoops):
parts.jpg
 

TTF

PHD in Crashology!
Wing Sanding Question

What is the best way to sand the wing? I understand to go with the grain, but how do you get the contours? Grit? Plane? measure?

This is what the manual says:

Manual.jpg

This is on the plan:

plans.jpg

Here is the actual leading edge:

wing spar close up.jpg

and this the actual edge shown on the plans:

wing edge close up.jpg

Any and all advice is appreciated and needed.
 

TTF

PHD in Crashology!
Nose Sanding and Possible Issue

The nose section had a couple of issues.
Three pices stack on the nose. It has a hole in the center for a mocked up engine for ascetics. The center piece shift and was glued in place. I think I could sand the side and match it up to the other side?

Here is the front view of the nose:

nose top.jpg

The other issue is a piece that broke while being sanded. It was one of those that poped out while sanding and then cracked. My luck it was a part that needs to bend. I tried to fix it as best as I could, is there a better idea of what to do?

Front view of cracked part (circled):

Nose front view.jpg

Front angel view shows slight lift of taps due to bend:

nose side.jpg

Again any and all advice is welcomed and needed.
 

Turbojoe

Elite member
Ouch! The fuse is fragile and it looks like you found that out. A little balsa filler or lightweight spackle from Home Depot will hide the cracks. For sanding I use 2 long T bar sanders with 60 and 220 grit. The 60 grit to rip off the meat and the 220 for final smoothing. I also use a lot of emery board and the big foam fingernail sanding boards. You can get them in several grits and they work amazing. Don't try to sand it with just a piece of sandpaper in your hand. You'll have gouges all over it and likely break parts in the process.

Go slow and easy on the leading edge checking the contour constantly. It sounds harder than it is.

Joe
 

Turbojoe

Elite member
The broken pieces in the nose are no big deal. Just make sure they're glued solid and sand to shape. maybe glue a piece of scrap to the back side for support. Balsa filler again will be your friend.

Shaping the cowl top/fake motor mount again is easier than it looks. Start with 60 grit to rough shape it then 220 grit to do the finish work. This is also an area where those foam nail boards work exceptionally well.

Let me see if I can find links for some of this stuff.

Joe
 

TTF

PHD in Crashology!
Whoops! (or fill in your on, I know I did!!!)

The short story, she fell and got impailed.

Here's the damage from outside:

side.jpg

From inside:

side look down.jpg

Looking down:

side look down.jpg

and and angle view:

side angle.jpg

What I did was gently pushed as much back together again and used a little CA to mend it. Arounf the hole the wood has been pushed into its self. I worked it as much as possible and this was the best result. I did realize that the first build would result in my first big time repair of balsa. I'm disappointed but not discouraged, just more tools to add to the tool box. So far I enjoy working with balsa.
Any advise will be greatly appreciated and is needed! If you are reading just this entry I have made four others (at same time) so please read them as well adivse away!
 

Turbojoe

Elite member
On that broken fuse side just squeeze everything together as well as you can with your fingers. Glue a piece of the thinnest scrap you have to the inside. Sand the outside smooth then fill to bad spots with filler then sand again. EVERYBODY that builds a kit damages something during a build. Don't let it get to you. It's all part of the fun. :)

Joe
 

Joker 53150

Mmmmmmm, balsa.
Mentor
If you're covering with an opaque film you'll never see the damage if you do like Joe says. I've got a couple balsa planes that were completely broken in half, and you can't tell by looking at the outsides.
 

TTF

PHD in Crashology!
Thanks for the help Joe. I am currently getting an order together now for sand and filler, etc. Joker I plan on covering fuse in a dark color so it should cover. Im thinking ahead since I am putting an order together, cover iron and heat gun recommendations, or any thing else you think I will need? Thanks again
 

Hai-Lee

Old and Bold RC PILOT
Many years ago I had similar problems with my S-TEE which is a similar construct to what this thread is about. After a pit incident I had a hole punched in the fuselage side. Following the recommendations of others I cut the hole larger and rectangular in shape. Using a bit of scrap cut to the dimensions of the hole I glued in a patch and when the glue was dry I sanded it smooth and recovered it.

Many crashes later the patch was still effective and undisturbed.

Just my 2 cents worth!
 
Last edited: