RE: Simulated smoke
Maybe a different tact would be along the lines of a oil/wax paste melted together into a solid. A heating element wound thru it. Maybe a separate battery so as not to tax the receiver battery. Then a receiver activated relay that'd turn the circuit on. Then when flying, flip a switch on the Tx. Receiver turns on the circuit. Heating element heats up, starts to "smolder" the oil. Viola.. smoke. The deliver method; I'm thinking something of an aluminum tube (shaped a bit like a muffler) with the "pot" at one end, and an exit tube at the other. The exit tube would extend into the airflow just aft of the EDF. The "pot" would be easily replaced, via a clip or something. Instead of filling the smoke oil canister, or talc canister, simply disconnect heating element wires, remove used pot. Install new pot, connect wires, done. Any experts out there (chemist.. maybe) with comments?
Posted on: 11/16/2009 2:46 PM by Author "vmsguy" in the forum "Electric RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9258052

RE: Hog Bipe Build - 2009
[quote]ORIGINAL: osxpro She's a beauty! [/quote] Sure is... Almost too pretty to fly... ... ... ... Almost. But, it'll probably look better in the air... Maybe inverted, low pass down the runway.. It'll look REAL GOOD then...
Posted on: 10/25/2009 9:24 PM by Author "vmsguy" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9201767

RE: Hog Bipe Build - 2009
[quote]ORIGINAL: osxpro She's a beauty! [/quote] Sure is.. Almost too pretty to fly.. .. .. Almost.
Posted on: 10/25/2009 9:22 PM by Author "vmsguy" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9201762

RE: Sterling Stearmin, PT-17, lazer reproduction
Looking great so far.. I definitely need to clear my building board...
Posted on: 10/25/2009 9:20 PM by Author "vmsguy" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9201751

RE: Sterling Stearmin, PT-17, lazer reproduction
Very nice.. Interesting. The way the leading edge is and the ribs join together, it looks to be very, very strong.
Posted on: 10/24/2009 9:29 AM by Author "vmsguy" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9198100

RE: Has anyone seen this guy?
Kind of reminds me of the Teddy Roosevelt caricature (sp?) drawings I've seen... "I speek softly and fly a big plane!" If you can't find Monty, you possibly hire Launchpad McQuack. He'd be a good pilot...
Posted on: 10/23/2009 2:54 PM by Author "vmsguy" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9196377

RE: Turbinator-E
I've started receiving goodies. I have recieved the landing gear, and the short kit. (Thank-you Laser-Design). I verified with Model Airplane News that they got my order for the plans. (They shipped them on the 21st). While I had them on the phone, I bought a 2-year subscription, and the back-issue with the build article. I'm just waiting on the motor and the plans to show up on my doorstep. I'm thinking of doing a build thread. But... Should I post it here? Over in the "Kits" forum? In the scratch built forum? I'm not sure which is the best forum to put the thread. Another question. The wing joint tube has proven allusive. Fleet farm had 3/8" SOLID aliminum in 3 foot length. But not tubing. LHS didn't have 3/8" AL. But they did have brass. The local hardware store (admittedly a very small one) didn't have any aluminum at all. So... I'm thinking Carbon Fiber. For all you enginerring nuts out there.. What size carbon fiber rod would be equivelant in strength to the 3/8" aluminum tubing? Thanks in advance...
Posted on: 10/23/2009 11:45 AM by Author "vmsguy" in the forum "Electric RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9195991

RE: Turbinator-E
[quote]ORIGINAL: cooper998 my plans show a 3/8'' alum tube, K&S #3033 cooper998 [/quote] Dang.. I guessed good! Thanks!
Posted on: 10/20/2009 11:32 AM by Author "vmsguy" in the forum "Electric RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9188000

RE: Turbinator-E
Yup.. I saw the ARF... But I like to build. I have another question for anybody that has the plans handy.. (Mine haven't arrived yet.) The build article mangled some of dimensions. I would like to order the wing joiner tube. But from the article, I can't tell the dimensions or material. From the pictures it looks like 3/8" aluminum. But I'd like to know for sure. Could somebody that has the plans and/or build the plane let me know? Diameter, length, material... Thanks....
Posted on: 10/20/2009 10:26 AM by Author "vmsguy" in the forum "Electric RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9187850

RE: HET 6904 Motors?
OK.. I'm totally new to EDFs here.. So I'm going to ask a really "ignorant" question. But my building skills are very good. Anyway, I fell in love with the turbinator-e by Nick Ziroli. Last Friday (10-16-09) I ordered stuff. (plans, short kits, fan/motor). By reading this and numerous other threads. I settled on the HET 6904 EDF and a 2W-25 motor. I read somewhere about a thrust tube? Is this the tube that extends out the back of the EDF? I didn't find any reference of a thrust tube in association with a 6904. Is there such a thing? I would think a thrust tube would seriously inhibit motor cooling. Would somebody provide a few "in simple terms" answers??? Thanks in advance...
Posted on: 10/19/2009 3:57 PM by Author "vmsguy" in the forum "Electric RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9185779

RE: Turbinator-E
I thought I'd bump this thread. I just spent money. I ordered the plans. I ordered a lasercut kit. I ordered a edf/motor HET 6904 and 2W25 motor I have a few ESCs and batteries on hand. Just gotta get retracts. That's where I have questions... Nick's build article calls for Robert 601P 85-degree mains, and 602 nose gear. From the pictures in the build article, the wing doesn't look to have much of a dihedral. I'm thinking 90-degree mains might be a better idea. Has anybody built this plane with retracts? And are they using 85 or 90 degree mains...???? I'll shoot an email to Nick when I get home... But if someone has experience... I could possibly order the retracts sooner. I'm also considering going with with 604HD/605HD mains and 607 nose.. just to have the slighty larger wires. Thoughts???
Posted on: 10/16/2009 11:04 AM by Author "vmsguy" in the forum "Electric RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9177845

RE: Sterling Stearmin, PT-17, lazer reproduction
[quote]ORIGINAL: rcten Hi Guys, I'm estatic, today I received a Sterling PT17 Short Kit from Lazer Works. [/quote] You do realize, that you just volunteered to do a build thread... [:D] If you're not up to a detailed thread.. At least post some pics along the way.. Say completed wings. Complete tail feathers. Completed fuse, etc...
Posted on: 10/15/2009 10:31 AM by Author "vmsguy" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9175069

RE: Sterling Stearmin, PT-17, lazer reproduction
Ed is hoping to be able to have the plastic parts recreated. The plastic parts include a cowl, a radial motor, and the upper part of the wheel pants. The wheel pants do not include the coverings over the wheel, but a cover up the "leg" so to speak. When I originally shipped the kit to Ed, I did NOT ship the plastic parts. It's one of those magic tricks. Once the box was opened unpacked, the plastic parts couldn't go back in. I will ship the plastic parts to Ed tomorrow.
Posted on: 10/3/2009 11:07 AM by Author "vmsguy" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9138282

RE: Sterling Stearmin, PT-17, lazer reproduction
I just sent a package to Ed. In it are the plastic parts for the kit. He should receive it next Tuesday or Wednesday. Before I boxed it up... I took a picture... Not included in the picture. But definitely included in the package was the cowl. If this will help Ed create a better kit great.
Posted on: 10/3/2009 11:05 AM by Author "vmsguy" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9143336

RE: Stearman Kit Wanted
Lazerworks is currently working on re-fabricating the Sterling Stearman. It's nearly done. It's not as large as your original post describes... but.. it's a Stearman... Here's the thread that talks about it. http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_8771430/anchors_8771430/mpage_1/key_/anchor/tm.htm#8771430
Posted on: 9/30/2009 4:48 PM by Author "vmsguy" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9136509

RE: HEAT GUN - DO OR DIE?
I just ran into this issue myself. A HG is neat for shrinking large areas. Areas that are well away from seams. In smaller areas, especially close to seams, the airpressure of the HG pulls the seams apart. I chose to purchase a second iron. My first iron, I keep at "adhering" temp. The new on at shrinking temp. On my latest project, what I fought (and lost) for over an hour with a HG. I got shrunk up better with the secon iron in less than 5 minutes. Just my $0.02.
Posted on: 9/21/2009 9:53 AM by Author "vmsguy" in the forum "Tips & Techniques"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9111969

RE: I’m considering building a big trainer
I am just finishing up a Senior Telemaster for just this purpose.... I am also planning on using the FlyCam for video. I built my wings with two servo bays each. The inner most bay is for the aileron servo, the outer most will be for the camera. Hobby Lobby has enough goodies to make it mountable, and controlable from your radio. Panning. I seen this handled in a quite clever manner. One guy mounted a cradle onto the servo arm, then mounted the servo on the belly of the plane. So side-to-side panning was pretty simple. BUT.....! If you think about it, how useful will panning be? Think about it. You're standing on the ground, looking at an airplane goodness knows how far away, and who knows what angle.. You have no way of knowing what the camera is going to see. There's really no way to know if you're panning the camera enough, left or right to see what you intend to see. You're probably better keeping the camera aligned with the axis of the plane, and turning the plane. Now, if you ARE using a remote camera, so you're transmiting the video signal down to the base, then panning becomes feasable. Tilting is a different matter. It's reasonably easy to know what the camera is looking at. Either down, or straight ahead (From the plane's perspective) And the Flycam is tiltable. Which is good. Because I can have the camara tilted forward for take-offs, low passes, and landing. Once at altitude, I'll tilt it down to look at the ground.
Posted on: 9/17/2009 4:48 PM by Author "vmsguy" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9103665

RE: Ultra Sport 60 build,
[quote]ORIGINAL: Ilikebipes Could I recommend a Goldberg 10-300 Ultimate Biplane, Goldberg Chipmunk, ...or...if you can find one, a Goldberg Extra 300? The Ultimate: [link]http://www3.towerhobbies.com/Cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXDJB7&P=0[/link] Brian [/quote] Darn it Brian.. You got me thinking about the Ultimate again.. I've been resisting temptation. I've got another e-flite 60, that'd probably fit quite nicely in the nose. And I have a good idea how to handle a battery hatch... The Ultimate would look nice sitting next to my Sig Hog Bipe... Darn it Brian...!
Posted on: 9/17/2009 4:31 PM by Author "vmsguy" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9103613

RE: Ultra Sport 60 build,
Maynard... As much as I love the US... I have to say.. Build something totally, totally different.. Do a Biplane, or a pusher.. and EDF jet... heck.. maybe an autogyro. If you have to, set the 75 on the shelf, knowing it's ready for the next US you build, next year or so...
Posted on: 9/17/2009 9:46 AM by Author "vmsguy" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9102887

Covering, Double layer trim? Should I?
Here's my dilemna. My current covering project, Senior Telemaster, has a base coat of transparent red. But I wish to add some trim (stripes and stars and whatnot) of pearl white. The trouble is, the pearl white I wish to use, is nearly as translucent as the red. And it's quite obvious the red is visible under the white. So, I'm thinking.. Just like paint, apply a second coat. So I have a few questions. 1. Is this a good idea? Or am I asking for trouble with two layers of white pulling off in the wind? 2. I'm trying to think of ways I can cut two pieces of flimsy monokote to be exactly the same. And the best I'm coming up with is. "very carefully". Currently, I'm thinking I can make two layers work by applying the pieces with windex. One layer one night, the second layer the second night. Then q-tip some trim solvent along the edges the third night. Oh... Is there a tool to hold a razor blade? I'd like to use razor blades to cut the trim pieces, but that little blade in my big mitts is not conducive to long periods of delicate cutting. It's fine for a cut here, a trim there.. But if I were to spend an hour cutting stars.. Oy!
Posted on: 9/16/2009 11:01 AM by Author "vmsguy" in the forum "Tips & Techniques"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9100293

RE: Heat gun doing more harm than good. Need help/suggestions.
Just a follow up to answer some of the topics/questions brought up. 1. Yes, the seams were pulling apart. I think what was happening was the force of the wind blast was pushing down on the covering, and as a result the seam split apart. 2. The iron (with a sock) on high heat did the trick. I covered the entire side with the base color (transparent red) and when I applied the HOT iron, is shrunk like a charm. I merely moved the iron from tail to nose slowly, and it it's wake the loose coating tightened right up. Tightening took less then 1 minute per side. Now, onto the top, and then decals. But that's another topic.
Posted on: 9/16/2009 10:45 AM by Author "vmsguy" in the forum "Tips & Techniques"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9100246

RE: Nitro models pusher Bobcat?
Slight change of topic here... I have the ".60" sized version of this bird.. I haven't even opened the box yet... Anyway.. I'm thinking of putting twin EDFs on it instead of a pusher prop... Kind of like an A-10. Any thoughts/comments??? Suggestions? I have been doing a little searching, and I'm not coming up with any info that says "_____ edf will produce similar thrust as ___ glow and ___ prop."
Posted on: 9/10/2009 11:43 AM by Author "vmsguy" in the forum "RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9084169

Heat gun doing more harm than good. Need help/suggestions.
I've been covering my latest build.. (Senior Telemaster) And I ran into an problem trying to shrink the MonoKote down... One of the areas I'm trying to shrink is long and narrow, and I need the shrinking to happen along the shorter axis... It seems like the heat gun is doing more harm than good. I can get the monokote heated up, but the wind from the gun stretches it out so much, that it actually stretches the coating out... By the time it cools down/shrinks down, it doesn't shrink enough. Plus... An adjacent area needs shrinking, and I can get that one shrunk down.. but then return to the problem area.. the overblow screws up the first.. Argh!!! So.. Is there a heat gun out there that delivers the heat, but not all the wind volume???? I tried pulling the gun further away from the surface, putting it at an angle.. As I type this.. I'm thinking of using a second iron, set on higher (shrinking temp) temperature, move it over the area... Thoughts???? Ideas????? TIA
Posted on: 9/8/2009 12:22 PM by Author "vmsguy" in the forum "Tips & Techniques"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9078764

RE: Ultra Sport 60 build,
Congrats.... Makes me want to open up one of the kits I have and start to building.... Gotta finish my current bird first. (my own anti-clutter rule.. one plane build at a time.)
Posted on: 9/8/2009 12:04 PM by Author "vmsguy" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9078720

RE: Tinmans' 4*60 build has begun... 1st build!!!
Tinman... Just a thought... I have found a half-round wood file works wonders on balsa... The one I use the most is about a foot long, inch wide.. "medium" agressive teeth. It might have been handy when you were sanding the dowel block....
Posted on: 9/2/2009 12:04 PM by Author "vmsguy" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9064324

RE: Sterling Stearmin, PT-17, lazer reproduction
I do have a question... The most recognizeable color scheme for the Stearman is the navy blue and yellow. What coverings most closely match? MonoKote's "Cub Yellow" seems too dark, but "yellow" seems too light. "Royal Blue" looks pretty close for the blue shade.
Posted on: 8/20/2009 3:20 PM by Author "vmsguy" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9031401

RE: Yep, another beginner build question...
[quote]ORIGINAL: TinmanJones in my town, the largest tool, wood, etc, supply store is Home Depot... a few mom & pop supply stores, & a Wal-Mart, but nothing even remotely close to a hobby shop! so, in my mind, I'll have to order alot of extra stuff online... any & all suggestions would be great! again, thanks! [/quote] You can get lots and lots of stuff at Home Depot. Clamps, drills, drill bits, razor blades (by the 100, in the paint section), glue (Titebond, etcetera) tape, hand tools (screw drivers, plyers, allen wrenches), dremel tools. Did I mention clamps? You can never have enough clamps. Probably Xacto knive sets and blades as well. On-line. you get the specialty stuff. T-pins, razor plane, slot cutting tool(s). I'd probably guess that I got the vast majority of my stuff at Home Depot or the local hardware store. Probably 80-90 percent. Whenever I think "I need a tool to do ....." Most of the time, I think I can find it at Home Depot or the local hardware store. The one tool I use a LOT, that I don't hear mentioned here.. is a file. My favorite is a half-round wood file, about 3/4" wide and a foot long. It cuts through balsa and ply fast. But still gives you lots of control. Handy, handy, handy. Say you cut a whole for a servo mount, and it's a titch too small. Quick work for the file. A knife will work too, but with a knife you could easily slip and cut a gouge in the wood (or your finger) and overdo it. A file lets you do a nice job. My cordless drill has been super handy. Not the big 18 volt, they're kinda cumbersome. Mine a 14 volt unit that's a little lighter. And it has plenty of horsepower to drill through balsa and the occasional ply. Don't have to mess with tripping over a power cord.
Posted on: 8/20/2009 2:46 PM by Author "vmsguy" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9031298

RE: Sterling Stearmin, PT-17, lazer reproduction
[quote]ORIGINAL: ArcticCatRider Wow. I've only seen that kit once before..... Is this guy Ed making a lot of them? I would purchase one, too. [/quote] Ed does not keep kits in stock.. He cuts the parts as the orders come in.. So get your Paypal account charged up.
Posted on: 8/20/2009 10:19 AM by Author "vmsguy" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9030633

RE: Sterling Stearmin, PT-17, lazer reproduction
[quote]ORIGINAL: squeakalong Went to Ed's site and didn't see any information on ordering this offering...did I look in the right place? (I did see LOTS of ''memories'' on the site though [:D]) Soft landings. Joe [/quote] Ed's not done yet.. with any luck, it'll be on Ed's website in the next week or so... be patient.. not much longer to wait.
Posted on: 8/20/2009 10:07 AM by Author "vmsguy" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9030591

RE: Hog Bipe Build - 2009
Seamus... That's a bang-up job you're doing on the covering. I wish I was that fast...!
Posted on: 8/19/2009 9:50 PM by Author "vmsguy" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9029562