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Building Tips and technical articles. => Building techniques => Topic started by: David Ruff on April 20, 2015, 02:38:29 AM

Title: Building Without Instructions
Post by: David Ruff on April 20, 2015, 02:38:29 AM

I have built quite a few kits lately from Brodak kits.  I notice that RSM kits do not actually have a step by step guide.
I have the RSM Grey Ghost kit and am ready to start on it.  I am just concerned about not having the instructions for building.
Any good tips on this?
I am not a scratch builder either.

Title: Re: Building Without Instructions
Post by: Phil Krankowski on April 20, 2015, 05:56:28 AM

Write yourself an "order of operations" sheet.  Make sure that you are doing things in a logical order allowing access to necessary areas before closing them off.  For example the bell crank tray has to be installed before sheeting in almost all cases.

If you are still confused, or want to see instructions for other models as example, consult some available resources like original Sterling, or Musciano, or any of a number of other vintage kit plans which can be found and downloaded on outerzone and Hip Pocket Aeronautics.  Just open them and zoom in so you can read easily.

http://outerzone.co.uk/

http://www.hippocketaeronautics.com/   (free login required to download plans)

Since you have the booklets for the Brodak kits, those might be all you need without looking for more examples.  You will not need to flesh out the operations to full writing assignment levels, outlines of bullet points are probably enough.  ;)

Phil

Title: Re: Building Without Instructions
Post by: Leester on April 20, 2015, 07:40:10 AM

Check RSM's site under Building Guides and look at the Mackey Lark guide it should give you good outline,same with the Jamison guide. www.rsmdistribution.com  Also, make sure you READ the plans !!
getting proper wood sizes and shaping from them.

Title: Re: Building Without Instructions
Post by: Tim Wescott on April 20, 2015, 08:38:51 AM

I suggest that you take one of those Brodak kit guides and your Pinto Grey Ghost* plans, and see if following the Brodak guide only for the Pinto kit will do the job.  If it will -- go!  If it won't take a pencil and make notes, changes, etc., until you're satisfied that it will work.

Do that a few times, and you WILL be a scratch builder.

* Edit: I confused threads there...

Title: Re: Building Without Instructions
Post by: Phil Krankowski on April 20, 2015, 08:54:43 AM

When reading the plans use a long straight edge and a square or protractor to check if there are small angles that are less than obvious, yet required.  I learned this one the hard way...

Phil

Title: Re: Building Without Instructions
Post by: Randy Powell on April 20, 2015, 09:42:05 AM

I write all my own instructions.

Title: Re: Building Without Instructions
Post by: John Kelly on April 20, 2015, 10:16:19 AM

   ...Hey David, These pages are from Larry's magazine article. Hope you're gonna Silk & Dope it!  Cheers,  John

Title: Re: Building Without Instructions
Post by: Mark Mc on April 20, 2015, 04:06:12 PM

Quote from: Randy Powell on April 20, 2015, 09:42:05 AM

I write all my own instructions.

Me too. In invisible ink, on the back of my hand...  I haven't had a plane not fly yet.

Title: Re: Building Without Instructions
Post by: David Ruff on April 20, 2015, 04:22:21 PM

Quote from: Leester on April 20, 2015, 07:40:10 AM

Check RSM's site under Building Guides and look at the Mackey Lark guide it should give you good outline,same with the Jamison guide. www.rsmdistribution.com  Also, make sure you READ the plans !!
getting proper wood sizes and shaping from them.

Yes: Eric squared me away.  Thanks.

Title: Re: Building Without Instructions
Post by: David Ruff on April 20, 2015, 04:24:27 PM

Quote from: John Kelly on April 20, 2015, 10:16:19 AM

  ...Hey David, These pages are from Larry's magazine article. Hope you're gonna Silk & Dope it!  Cheers,  John

Thank you sir.  Good stuff.   ~>

Title: Re: Building Without Instructions
Post by: John Kelly on April 20, 2015, 06:37:13 PM

   ...Hey David, You're very welcome...My Pleasure.  Cheers,  John