new white foam board :(

[Mitchmoo5000]

Hey Guys,

I've been building ft plans for years now and love everything about flite test! I just picked up a case of the white foam board from ft (hoping it was different from the new white Adams foam board the dollar tree switch to) and was disappointed to find out it is the same stuff Scatch building with the new white foam board is a nightmare compared to the old stuff. Don't get me wrong it can be done, but with much more frustration and many snags, rips, and jagged edges.

Does anyone have any tips on how to cut more easily with new white foam board? I taped both sides using the experiential airlines taping technique and it maybe helped a bit but was still significantly harder than the old stuff.

For anyone looking to scratch build with DTFB, I think you know almost have to go with the flite test waterproof foam board (I have used it in the past and great, and I wish I would have just spent the extra money for the case of the WPDTFB). I would almost suggest to flite test to take the white foam board off of your site for scratch builders. I just am not having the same build experience I am used to with the new foam board.

All of that being said, I'm pump to build a couple of planes and see everyone at FFE17! I am scheming a mashup of a superbee and sparrow

 

[Hai-Lee]

I have been building FB planes for quite a while now and I have never had access to the old DTFB around which the FT planes were designed.

The change of spec in the FB is unfortunate but it is rather easy to adjust your technique to compensate. Firstly the FB I use does blunt blades rather quickly and for better results the blade angle should be shallower and the pressure applied on the blade lessened. Do 2,3,4, or however many cuts you need to get the FB cut cleanly. When the blade is losing its edge I give the edge a wipe with a bit of fin sandpaper or a Steel to restore its edge. (a blade last me about 3 or 4 planes before needing replacement.

I back all hinges with packing tape for safety.

As for FT no longer stocking the new FB, I am sure that many others use it as it is right now!

Have fun!

 

[wedgetailaus]

Woah! Hai-Lee you get 3-4 planes out of a single blade!? Is it an xacto blade? Please tell me how you resharpen them so effectively! This sounds like a game changer for me.

 

[mrjdstewart]

i use a ceramic knife sharpener on my blades and it helps a lot. anytime i feel it starting to drag or catch, a couple swipes over the sharpener and i am good to go again.

laters,

jason

 

[Hai-Lee]

The blades I use are the long retractable type which have snap off sections.

I actually have a half dozen or so such knives and try to use the whole blade to do the long cuts and a different part of the blade for the bevels.

The cutting through of the pieces relies on a sharp point which can be so easily damages which is why I do not apply a lot of force down on the blade to finalise the cuts. Occasionally a point will be damaged or broken which is the only time I snap the blade for a new tip.

Sharpening, (restoring the edge), is just by wiping the blade on a piece of sandpaper or my sanding block normally. Blades are not always blunt when the tearing starts to occur but there are times where the paper/foam seems to stick to the blade and actually stop the edge from contacting the FB and thereby tearing it rather than cutting. The wipe on the sandpaper removes all residues and any minor cutting edge distortions.

Try it for yourself and see what works for you!

I find the cheap disposable plastic knives are the best blades but the handles fall apart after about 3 months. I build about one or two planes each week.

Have fun!

 

[Winglet]

I have been building FT airplanes almost from the beginning. By far, my favorite white board is ROSS Board. About the only place to get it is Wal-Mart and it isn't available in all stores. They also carry it quite often at www.walmart.com. Make sure you find the ROSS branded board. I'm not talking about the heavy Elmer's that is always in stock at Wal-mart.

I'm a Ross board hoarder. When I find it in a store a buy every single sheet. I have about 60 sheets in my shop right now.

It is a bright white color. Is simi water resistant, easy to paint. Cuts great and easy to score and pull the paper away when needed. Weights almost exactly the same as DTFB. The best in my opinion.

I have turned other FT builders in our club onto ROSS board. Everyone agrees that it is the best.

Looks to be in stock right now. Get it while you can!

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Ross-20-x-30-White-Foam-Board/44640661

 

[Mitchmoo5000]

Thanks Winglet! I'll grab up some of the ross fb now!! yah!

 

[Liam B]

Either way, I recommend Hai-Lee’s method. I also recommend sanding all the places where the foam is not protected by paper. This will fix bad cuts and reduce paper peeling.

 

[Timmy P]

I like the new stuff.. Its a brighter white. Other than that, Thats the main difference.. I noticed its a tiny bit harder to remove the paper sometimes.. But it cuts the same and bends the same.. It makes my planes look better than they did with the older darker stuff.