where to get hobby plywood?

[shoafer0]

Where can I get the hobby plywood that is used for the firewalls in the swapables? I don't have much at all in the way of hobby stores except for one train hobby store. Anyone have luck at say Lowes?

 

[xuzme720]

I've never seen any at Lowe's or Home Depot. I found some at Micheal's. Hobby Lobby or another craft type store might also be a good place to try.

 

[shoafer0]

Oh great! I never thought to look at Micheal's. We do have one of those here. Downside to living in the middle of no-where unfortunately.

 

[Craftydan]

dunno . . . where is here?

Craft stores is a dead on recommendation -- I get mine at Hobby Lobby, but Michaels or JoAnne's fabrics should have something similar in their wood section.

I wonder if pressboard off of the old style clipboards would work? It's pretty sturdy and thin . . . might be a touch heavy . . .

*If* you can't find it there, before you order the plywood online, you might just want to order the laser cut ones from the FT store. They're not too pricey, and it supports the show. just a suggestion . . .

 

[FeWolf]

Hobby Lobby

 

[xuzme720]

Good point, Dan! Get some of the control horns, too! Man, I love those! Saves me a bunch of time using them instead of making them and also, the z-bends fit in there great with no slop.

 

[shoafer0]

I have actually already ordered some control horns, a simple firewall, and t-shirt from the store. I was actually just curious if there was a more local solution rather than having to order online. We don't have a hobby lobby nearby either believe it or not.

I'm in Southern Maryland (Lexington Park area)

 

[Jaxx]

HobbyTown should have it as well.

 

[DDSFlyer]

I second the Michael's suggestion. I picked up some wood to make the firewalls out of from there. I made some control horns as well but the board that I got is a little thick so I had to split some of it off to make it work. They have an assortment of sizes and thicknesses, I just didn't know the thickness of the firewall and control horn pieces when I was there. I have a speed build kit and just traced the pieces out on my plywood but didnt think to measure the thickness

 

[shoafer0]

Ended up finding some at Michael's. I went with 1/32 thickness as I had heard Josh mention that 1/16 or 1/32 both work in one of the swapables videos. I was looking for 1/16 but the location that had the board was a mess and nothing was where it should have been. So after going through a few dozen pieces I just stuck with the 1/32. Once you glue and tape it into place it really isn't a problem that it's not the 1/16 though.


Now I just need to find an easier way to put holes in it. Ended up using a small drill bit to start a hole then an Xacto knife to finish it out.

 

[Jaxx]

I have purchased some of the FliteTest firewalls, and I believe the thickness is more like 1/8". Before ordering the firewalls, I went looking for the thinner plywood, but had a hard time finding it. When I finally did, it wasn't as thick as the stuff that came from FliteTest.

 

[buggyboat]

I was at Walmart today. In the craft section by the faberic, that had plywood silhouette cutouts of apples, dolls, and other stuff. I thought about buying some and making firewalls out of them. They were $0.79 each.
I have made a firewall with a table saw by cutting a thin sheet of oak with the grain, and cutting out the final shape on a scroll saw. It was very strong. I think I will just order some next time.
For control horns, I use gift cards, per Experimental Airlines.

 

[xuzme720]

Hotel keycards work too for control horns.

 

[Tritium]

Formica Sample Cards! Way better than light ply!

Thurmond

 

[solarflash]

Quick tip for anyone using Michaels for plywood. When you go into the store look for a copy for their flyer. There is almost always a coupon for 40 to 50% off one item that is not on sale already. Guess what they never put on sale, PLYWOOD.... This is also how a got a top notch airbrush for a decent price.....

 

[FeWolf]

Hobby Town, most craft stores, I found a wide selection at Hobby Town from Ply to Birch to Hardwood. Use Birch for motor mounts.
http://www.hobbytown.com
search plywood

 

[xuzme720]

I don't have a Hobbytown close anymore. I used to have one too close when I lived in Atlanta...

 

[FeWolf]

You can online order.

 

[solarflash]

If you have to resort to ordering on line, check out these sites. Not only do they have plywood, there are many other items of interest for the r/c builder. www.aircraftspruce.com
www.balsausa.com www.sigmfg.com

 

[airhawk]

home depot is probably were your going to find any wood. but if you want the wood cut i think for 1 $ you could get it cut into to one of these