Lessons I'm learning

[dnsmith415]

So since starting to build my first plane - a mighty mini corsair this week I've learned 1. It ain't easy to build these things; 2. Its going to take me an embarrassingly longer time to build than the estimate; 3. Glue? My old glue gun is a piece of junk and the glue doesn't hold together; I don't have sharp razor blades or exacto knives so cutting stuff is a nightmare. 4 My glue won't hold the model together but it sure as heck glues my fingers together! But I'm learning. Can anyone recommend a good glue? Thanks for all your help.

 

[Flying Monkey fab]

So since starting to build my first plane - a mighty mini corsair this week I've learned 1. It ain't easy to build these things; 2. Its going to take me an embarrassingly longer time to build than the estimate; 3. Glue? My old glue gun is a piece of junk and the glue doesn't hold together; I don't have sharp razor blades or exacto knives so cutting stuff is a nightmare. 4 My glue won't hold the model together but it sure as heck glues my fingers together! But I'm learning. Can anyone recommend a good glue? Thanks for all your help.

I just laugh and laugh at time estimates.
A good glue gun is a must! There are threads here about them.
Sharp blades are a must. Taste vary on these but I like good quality retractable blades, that way I can have a small blade when needed but can also extend it fully for things that need that.

 

[Piotrsko]

Time estimate? It will be done when you're ready to fly it. Life sometimes gets in the way.

 

[Merv]

...Can anyone recommend a good glue? ...

I use this glue gun from Walmart. I produces all of the hot glue that I need.
One thing about hot glue, you must let it get hot. A glue that is not completely hot will not stick adequately. I let my glue gun heat for a minimum of 5 minutes before I use it. Then I squirt out few drops then let it warm for another minute or two, just to make sure it is completely hot. I also find most people use way too much hot glue. More glue doesn't make it stronger, just makes it heavier. I thin bead is all you need.

DT-270 Essentials Series 40 Watt Full Size Dual Temperature Hot Glue Gun - Walmart.com

Buy DT-270 Essentials Series 40 Watt Full Size Dual Temperature Hot Glue Gun at Walmart.com

www.walmart.com

 

[CrshNBrn]

I've burned through a couple of glue guns over the years and will second Merv's advice about warming up the glue completely and using a light touch. Cheapy glue guns are just fine, but I do like a dual temperature feature, as sometimes I'll use the hot setting (especially for large glueups needing extra time).

Can't skimp on razor blades though. Nothing worse than a jagged cut, right? My advice is to buy in bulk and save $$$.

 

[Bricks]

When it comes to hot glue sticks try and find the clearer ones for some reason they work much better for me the the cloudy ones.

For most cuts I use a cheap snap off the blade types for curves the Exacto type knives. I really should get a swivel head one for curves.

Corsair should not be your first plane to fly IF you are just getting started more then likely a disaster in the making. Don`t spend a lot of time painting it until you have flown it a few times..

 

[Piotrsko]

I prefer Industrial, but so far for relatively quick and easy someone gifted me a green ryobi gluegun which works well but drips. Can use my smaller diameter <1/2">.. commercial 3ft sticks

 

[bisco]

here's some search results, there's lots more:
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[Houndpup Rc]

So since starting to build my first plane - a mighty mini corsair this week I've learned 1. It ain't easy to build these things; 2. Its going to take me an embarrassingly longer time to build than the estimate; 3. Glue? My old glue gun is a piece of junk and the glue doesn't hold together; I don't have sharp razor blades or exacto knives so cutting stuff is a nightmare. 4 My glue won't hold the model together but it sure as heck glues my fingers together! But I'm learning. Can anyone recommend a good glue? Thanks for all your help.

Just one of those Adtechs form Dollar General will work fine, just make sure its a full sized one
As for glue, i just buy this and it used to last a while!..Nowa days..Not so much!

https://amzn.to/3Lsxzey

 

[Mr NCT]

Just one of those Adtechs form Dollar General will work fine, just make sure its a full sized one
As for glue, i just buy this and it used to last a while!..Nowa days..Not so much!

https://amzn.to/3Lsxzey

+1 on the Adtech, mine has lasted for years. My favorite knife is an 18mm Olfa with Olfa blades. They seem to keep an edge longer. They seem to dull up quicker on black dtfb, anyone else seeing that?

 

[Piotrsko]

Black DTFB is just weird. Wavy, odd thicknesses in a box, warped, paper sometimes isn't glued on or is thick/ thin

Anybody strap hone their blade.when cutting?

 

[Houndpup Rc]

Yeah, I don't really care for black foam...

 

[Houndpup Rc]

Black DTFB is just weird. Wavy, odd thicknesses in a box, warped, paper sometimes isn't glued on or is thick/ thin

Anybody strap hone their blade.when cutting?

Nope, I just buy this 150 pack of razor blades for $10...I am sure there are better brands out there, but I can't justify the price to performance ratio....

https://amzn.to/489N5DZ

 

[Bricks]

Black DTFB is just weird. Wavy, odd thicknesses in a box, warped, paper sometimes isn't glued on or is thick/ thin

Anybody strap hone their blade.when cutting?

I use a fine stone on my Exacto blades until they are to short to be useful.

 

[Piotrsko]

I use a fine stone on my Exacto blades until they are to short to be useful.

Which handle? I run some big handle blades in my #1 handle/holder but mostly the other way around because I loose the #1handle building stuff

 

[Mr Man]

Is this your first plane, or your first foamboard plane?

 

[dnsmith415]

I just laugh and laugh at time estimates.
A good glue gun is a must! There are threads here about them.
Sharp blades are a must. Taste vary on these but I like good quality retractable blades, that way I can have a small blade when needed but can also extend it fully for things that need that.

. Yeah - I thought so. The time estimates are really optimistic. And making a 45° cut looks so easy.
I bought a Gorilla glue gun and sticks on Amazon and I think that's going to work well. So I might have that problem licked.

 

[dnsmith415]

Time estimate? It will be done when you're ready to fly it. Life sometimes gets in the way.

Yeah there is that - life. I think they had a hearty laugh when they put that together.

 

[dnsmith415]

I use this glue gun from Walmart. I produces all of the hot glue that I need.
One thing about hot glue, you must let it get hot. A glue that is not completely hot will not stick adequately. I let my glue gun heat for a minimum of 5 minutes before I use it. Then I squirt out few drops then let it warm for another minute or two, just to make sure it is completely hot. I also find most people use way too much hot glue. More glue doesn't make it stronger, just makes it heavier. I thin bead is all you need.

DT-270 Essentials Series 40 Watt Full Size Dual Temperature Hot Glue Gun - Walmart.com

Buy DT-270 Essentials Series 40 Watt Full Size Dual Temperature Hot Glue Gun at Walmart.com

www.walmart.com

Yea I I know one solution rarely works for everything but I bought a Gorilla Glue gun on Amazon and some gorilla glue sticks and tested it. I'm happy with the results so far. But I've heard a lot of good things about surebonder So I'll pick some up next time I'm at Walmart. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[dnsmith415]

Is this your first plane, or your first foamboard plane?

YUP. I've spent a sum on planes at Horizon, Motion R C and Amazon. Tired of crashing and losing planes. I'm not a great pilot but I'm not bad. I'm better with each flight. But I really like knowing how these things go together