Am I missing something?

[XF-15DCC]

Hi All,
I put together my first plane (well other then my trainer) today. It was not as enjoyable as I thought it would be. I fact it was a bit of a hassle. I know there is an issue with the manufactures overseas with directions. I get that. Luckily I walked my way through things a few times before I made the final adjustments or put the final torque on a screw. Lining up the wings to install was a PIA. Running the aileron servo cables was tight and the slots needed a bit modification to get then into the required area. Then to add insult to injury I snapped a screw head off on one of the screws for the landing gear. The gear was loose and I was slowly tightening the screws, bit by bit. I went to give the screw one last check and SNAP. I removed the gear to hope there was enough of the screw to grab for some vice-grips, no dice. Looks like some foam glue needs to be used.

The only thing that I thought was good was the prototypical flaps.

I only have a seagull Yak 52 ARF (still in the box until the skills improve) to compare with but if all foam kits are this quality, I think I'll save and go with the balsa kits. Granted Foam has an advantage of being able to replace parts but i'm sure there is a way to repair them.

So am I expecting too much quality out of some of the foam aircraft?

O.K, off the soapbox.

Kevin

[Grossman56]

RE: Am I missing something?

It will vary from kit to kit.  The new FMS P40B is soooo simple, you could do it with one eye closed. Seriously!
The Freewing P 51 with sound (Iron Ass version) is a challenge because of the wiring, but if you follow the videos, its time consuming, not difficult.
I have two FMS P51s as well ( a "B" and a "D" ) and found that the trickiest part is getting the wings to line up.  The Pitts and the Waco were pretty easy and the Pandoras are no brainers as well. 
So, hang in there, the first one is always the hardest, you get the hang of it.  Took me less than and hour to assemble the new P40B.
I have some build pics on "All Us Newbies Lets Share" and the P40 is on "All Us Intermediates, Let's Share"
Don't hesitate to  ask any of us if you need a hand, I'll gladly help if I can! 

Grossman56

[XF-15DCC]

RE: Am I missing something?

Thanks Grossman56 for the reply.

It wasn't the assembly that was/is bugging me but I was expecting a bit more quality (maybe). Paint peeling/flaking, snapping screw heads, little things like that.



Kevin

[Konrad]

RE: Am I missing something?

I find building to be the most enjoyable part of this hobby. This is why I've avoided the foam ARF models for years. But with the ease in which the products that MotionRC sells I found that with a bit of assembly I could be in the air in the time it takes me to inventory a "real" kit.

On the subject of paint there is no paint that will actually stick to polypropylene plastic, well no model OEM has found it.

Screws popping heads is usually a quality issue with the fastener, driver and or an inadequate pilot hole.

Those of us that have been in the hobby and have built kits of models from scratch can often see most of these limitation and address these without even thinking.

A full set of hobby tools will go a long way to making most of these assemblies go a lot smoother. I almost always use a set of metric drill. JIS (not Phillips) screw drivers, soldering iron, heat gun and heat shrink. I like round nosed needle nose pliers and sharp heavy side cutters (one small for electrical wiring and another real heavy for landing gear wire. And the last tool is a hand held motor tool (AKA Dremel). With these tool there is nothing that the Foam kits throw at you that you can't deal with.

So I have ask what brand are you having issues with. I find that while I like Dynam their initial quality is a few notches below that of Freewing, and FMS.

Foam is easy to repair with some hot water, CA glue, light weight spackel, and Beacon foam finisher.
http://www.motionrc.com/beacon-foam-finishing-compound-8oz/
And it there are structural concern some carbon strips and or rods as spars.

Man the tool using animal!,
Konrad

[Grossman56]

RE: Am I missing something?

what make of kit was it anyway?
Konrad, you mentioned warm water, tell me what you use that for, I may be missing something....
JIS screw drivers are a must!
So is patience, but I haven't found a hot deal on it yet, still waiting!

Grossman56

[Konrad]

RE: Am I missing something?

The term "Foam" really is an over simplification of the plastics we use. EPS and EPO take slightly different processes to repair properly.
But HOT salt water has two functions. First it is used to stress relive the foam. Helps make it pliable for hand reshaping. Second it also can expand collapsed foam beads in the fracture face. I've also had good luck using a soldering iron to locally apply heat to expand the beads in the deep dents in the surface of the foam.

[XF-15DCC]

RE: Am I missing something?

Hi Konrad,

I dint want to mention the company as I do not want to sound like I'm bashing them. Lets just say the plane is a woodland creature and it builds dams. My trainer (FMS 1280) is a bit simple but I thought it was constructed well for it's purpose. For some reason this one just doesn't sell me on overall quality. Let me get it airborne.

Maybe I need another one to compare!

Kevin

[Konrad]

RE: Am I missing something?

"Nice beaver"!

First contrary to what the Supreme Court says corporations are not people. They should not be afforded the courtesy of people . So if they produce crap it does nobody any good to protect the feelings of the corporation. Bash 'em and bash 'em hard. we all benefit by holding corporations to a higher standard. They in the long run, as it lets them know that we the consumer are well aware of their short comings. And we the membership in that we learn from your experience and avoid the product or at least learn what to expect (I hate hype). Now I agree that just saying something is junk really does nobody any good. So I like to give details as to the issue and I also like to offer work arounds, ether for the OEM of us the end user.

So folks lets stop protecting poor management at the expense of our pocket books and enjoyment of this fine hobby! If you receive junk or products that are not to your expectation call out the culprits. They are in control of the media and have huge purse string compared to our spending budget. Make the guys that offer junk suffer and those that strive to reach a higher standard benefit. For example the customer service of MotionRC is second to none. They will go that extra mile to make sure you are happy even with the budget purchases.

All the best,
Konrad

[farmflyer]

RE: Am I missing something?

I agree completely especially with the part of Motion RCs costumer service. I've only had to use them a couple of times but they have done anything it took to resolve the issue. I personally don't buy anywhere else.

[Grossman56]

RE: Am I missing something?

Yes, they Rock!
Like Konrad says, hold these other guys up to a higher standard.
The free Market is supposed to operate exactly like that.  If you sell crap with poor C/S, expect to be closing your doors in the near future!

Grossman56

[boomer108]

RE: Am I missing something?

Hi everyone!
  I agree totally with you on Motion Rc, they can't be beat. I bought my first foamy when I got back in the hobby 3 1/2 years ago from Tower Hobbies because the had been around for a long time. Shortly after Motion Rc opened up and I took a gamble on them because their veteran owned and I'm a vet. Well 3 years later I can't have made a better decision. Their parts and plane inventory are great and we all know how good their service is,excellent!! Well I've talked enough. I would like to wish everyone on the forum and everyone at Motion Rc a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Good flying to all!

Roy B.

[vptech2]

RE: Am I missing something?

Hello Kevin, When I started out in the late 60's, flying control line then moving up to rc airplanes, I learn very quickly it was two hobbies in one. Building & Flying. It is very satisfying to build an airplane from a kit or from scratch, then take it out, fly it and bring in back home in one piece. Sometimes there an altitude issues and it hits the ground. Pick up the parts, bring it back to the shop, rebuild it and fly again. I still enjoy building and flying a balsa or a foam plane. Today the market is mainly ARF balsa or foam planes and with their mass production, many things are built simple and not built as if you would have done it if building it from a kit. You may use a stainless screw where the ARF uses a cheaper fastener or you may build a "beefed up" bulkhead for a motor mount but the ARF's goal is just get the motor mounted. Just about all ARFs are built as cheap and as light as possible but they get you in the air quicker. There are a lot of decent ARFs out there and most fly very well, and MotionRC carry some of them but if you are want quality then scratch built is the best. Then your in charge of quality control. And I totally agree with Konrad... If you have the correct hobby tools, it makes the building, setup and the repair part of this hobby much easier and less stressful.

[XF-15DCC]

RE: Am I missing something?

vptech2

Thanks for your reply. I'm taking this as a learning curve. I think your on to something by matching the hardware provided with a better quality.