For those who have built DTFB planes that are interested in trying balsa, there are a few tools that may need to be purchased. A selling point in choosing the EVA is that tools needed are minimal.
Many tools you'll already have:
- X-Acto type hobby knife
- Soldering iron for motor/ESC connections
- Small screwdrivers or allen wrenches for pushrods, motor mount, etc
- Needle nose or small pliers
- Wire stripper and/or cutter
Other supplies you may need to buy:
- Sandpaper and a sanding block. 220 grit paper should be all you need. The sanding block helps you get a nice even sanding job. You can easily use a paint stick with sandpaper stuck along one side or you could buy a sanding block. Both will work. $3.00 and up.
- Some people use building boards you can stick pins into, or magnetic boards to hold pieces together. This shouldn't be needed here, but you'll still want a good size work area, and you'll find some thin pins useful to help hold pieces while glue cures. $2.00 or less for some pins.
- Glue. No hot glue will be used on this project! You can use either THIN CA glue or a wood glue like Titebond II. I prefer the Titebond for most construction unless I'm in a hurry. It's more sandable than CA and more forgiving. DO NOT OVERUSE IT! A little bit will work, and you don't want to sand it unless you have to! I use thin or thick CA as needed, they each have their strong/weak points. $3-5 depending on brand and size of container.
- Epoxy is good to use for securing the T-nuts on the firewall to the firewall. Not required, as thick CA can be used, but epoxy is stronger.
- Wax paper or plastic wrap to put down under parts being glued. From my experience, plastic wrap is better since the CA glue sticks to the wax paper. Either way, protect your building surface. $3.00
- Iron for covering material. $20 or so depending on source. You'll use this to secure and shrink your covering film after the structure is built. I'd suggest buying a "sock" for it. The sock protects the face of the iron from the film, and keeps from getting coloring from the film on the iron which could then get transferred to other colors later on. I try to have a sock for each color I'm using. $3.00 for a sock.
- Covering film. There are plenty of brands available and a wide range of prices. However, don't be tempted to buy the cheap rolls from Hobby King! Don't get me wrong, it's actually good covering, but it's too heavy for the EVA. When I say it's too heavy, it's actually too thick and strong. Shrinking it on the delicate tail or sing structure could easily snap the balsa you're covering! DON'T DO IT! For this build I strongly recommend buying covering from Mountain Models when you get the kit. Get their SoLite covering, it's much lighter and won't break the balsa. It's not as strong, either, so check the covering if you make an emergency landing in tall brittle grass or a field. I've punctured the film like this, but it's super easy to fix. $16.00 per roll. For your first build you'll probably need 2 rolls to account for do-overs. Covering ain't cheap, but the right material makes all the difference.
You'll also need the standard parts for any build, servos, a receiver, motor, speed control, battery pack, etc. As you can see, there isn't that much you'll need to try balsa. If you do it and find it's not for you it should be easy to sell off the covering iron and getting some of your funds back. I see them on Craigslist occasionally as well, you may get lucky and save up front!