Building an FS fuselage, is basswood exceptable for motor mounts , or does it have to be maple or other hardwood?  Also , how about .078 wire to mold landing gear, too small or okay? 

Thanks Jim, the advice and experience on this forum is absolutely priceless! If not for this type of advice a lot of people including myself could get discouraged easily especially living in an area where there are not a lot of control line flyers ! I will hunt down some better hardwood before progressing , i think i know where i can get 3/32 wire locally. Thanks again,  Ray 

I suggested 3/32 music wire because the Flite Streak is fairly light---for something much heavier I would use 1/8 inch also.  I use 5/32 music wire on some of the larger/heavier stuff.

Cheers,
Jim

Basswood is nice to work with. It is soft and engine mounts not good. I have built two Sport Jets using bass wood that came out very nice.
Dan

I have found bass is OK if threaded inserts are used, but I make my own from flat head screws, 10-32s threaded 4-40.  I make them a little (1/32") longer than the thickness of the mount then install them with the screw head under the mount and carefully file them down flush with the mount material.  I use a dab of epoxy when installing.  They don't pull out and provide a good hard point.   Sometimes I'll use an aluminum pad but usually only if I'm making a universal plate that I can use to change engine types. 

I found that the usual hobby shop type inserts don't hold up very well and are a disaster if used in harder wood mounts, they'll split out in a minute.

Ty...I used a lot of basswood (SIG) in a bunch of speed models, and I would describe it as about like pine or cedar, but with virtually no knots. The few knots were tiny. Maybe SIG does a better job with selection? Our local lumber yard (NOT Home Depot) has Poplar that is pretty similar, maybe a bit harder, very clean cut, smooth and straight. Tom Morris sells/sold some engine mounts made with Spruce or Maple. How about asking him about how the Spruce engine mounts are used?  Steve