Ok, here we are...

[wwwarbird]

 ...deep into the winter building season, and the holidays are behind us. What's on your workbench?

[Motorman]

Brodak Yak9 and the wife is helping build it because she's flying it this year.


MM

[Will Davis]

Just finished a retrofit of my teosawki that I have competed with for 10 years, now powered with electric , next weekend we are headed to KOI to get in some winter fun.

[Crist Rigotti]

An electric Legacy 40.  The build thread is in the electric section.

http://stunthanger.com/smf/index.php/topic,37716.0.html

[bob whitney]

  we dont have a Building season    just a 12 Month flying Season. going out tomorrow to practice for the KOI

[RknRusty]

I'm building my first ARF. It's a pain in the ass too, the wing seat is so crooked it would've looked like an X-wing. The bellcrank screws and washers were corroded. Y'all know the other stuff. I shouldn't have expected to just throw it together.

I'm going to replenish my 1/2A fleet with a couple of good old tough Stuntman23s, and a Junior something for either my Tee Dee .09 or my TT .15. I've drawn a profile of a Cox Hyper Viper and I'm thinking that'll be a nice Jr sized plane, It's a cool looking ship, but I don't think I can make the nose as long as the plastic model
That work ought to go well into the Spring assuming I don't wreck a stunter. I hate when that happens.

And I have some plans from Bob Zambelli for Muciano models on the back burner. A red Hot Angel will be the first of those. That might be summer or next winter. I'm an awfully slow builder.
Rusty

[Keith Miller]

I've started a Jr. Flite Streak (Brodak) for e-power.  While the wing is in progress, I'm doing some "virtual building" to fit the electronics into a somewhat cleaner package.
Motor: Turnigy Aerodrive SK3 - 2836-1500
ESC: Castle Talon 35
Timer: Hubin FM-9

Using SolidWorks CAD, I can plot out the parts, find the interferences and figure out what needs to be hogged out before actually cutting wood.

[RknRusty]

Keith, I'd like to learn to use a program like that. How tedious is it for a beginner to draw the parts and properly scale them? I have 25 years on PC computers, just new at software like CAD. Is there freeware available that you would consider useful?
Rusty

[Keith Miller]

Keith, I'd like to learn to use a program like that. How tedious is it for a beginner to draw the parts and properly scale them? I have 25 years on PC computers, just new at software like CAD. Is there freeware available that you would consider useful?
Rusty

Hi Rusty -
Unfortunately SolidWorks isn't a freeware tool - it's rather costly. Its advantage is that, once a part or assembly is created, it can be printed / plotted from any viewpoint.  All views are linked to the solid model.  The 2D cad programs require the drafter to actually draw separate views from, say, both top and side views, and those view's aren't necessarily linked.  SolidWorks is a very intuitive tool and didn't take "long" to learn (maybe a hundred hours) before I could quickly model parts.  All parts are true to scale, at least as well as my micrometer can measure.  Call it a second hobby 
Honestly, I've not tried any of the freeware that's out there.  Microsoft Visio is my choice for 2D drawings.

[Douglas Ames]

...I haven't graduated from a No. 2 pencil and T-square  . Awesome stuff Keith!

[RknRusty]

Thanks Keith. Anything you're good at on a computer almost has to be a sort of hobby. I'm trying to convince my Mom to just explore and click and read her new laptop.

Thanks for the reply. I've spent way more than a hundred hours test shaping and fitting and cursing.
Rusty

[CircuitFlyer]

Rusty,

I don't think there are any free 3D parametric CAD programs out there (at least legal ones).  The one I would suggest is Cubify Design http://cubify.com/en/Products/Design  It's $199 and it has a free 14 day trial if you want to give it a try.  It's a slightly dumbed down version of Alibre Design which is what I use.  By the way, in 3D CAD you design everything in full scale in whatever units you want.  When you print the drawing thats when you select what scale you would like to print at.  I even use it to determine the C of G before cutting anything.

Paul

[RknRusty]

Thanks Paul. I wonder if my old Win7-32, dual core Pentium would choke on a 3D program like that.
Rusty

[wwwarbird]

Using SolidWorks CAD, I can plot out the parts, find the interferences and figure out what needs to be hogged out before actually cutting wood.

 I'll usually determine that by just looking at the part in front of me.

[Randy Powell]

Hey Wayne, I am working on something. I'll post when it's a bit further down the line.

[RknRusty]

I'll usually determine that by just looking at the part in front of me.

And I'll likewise continue to do the same. It was just a thought, a magic airplane building assistant. But it's out of my league, concentration-wise and processing power-wise... not to mention pricewise.
But thanks guys, for making the effort to reply to my question.
Rusty

[wwwarbird]

Hey Wayne, I am working on something. I'll post when it's a bit further down the line.

 Cool, can't wait to see the latest Randy.

 I'm putting the P-40 thing on the back burner now again for a bit. Next in line is painting an Old Timer that's very close to ready. Probably paint the P-40 right behind it.

[Steve Thomas]

No building season over here, but I've been working on this Spectre (Yves Fernandez design) for an Enya SS45S. It's moved on a bit from the photo, and is about halfway painted now. Going very slowly though due to work.

[john e. holliday]

Well the old slow DOC is finishing a Chupim20,  starting a Lil Quickie,  cutting parts for a Hobo and looking at the Fury .15 carrier kit I brought home from Brodaks.   Other wise I'm spending too much time on the computer according to the misses.

[Bill Little]

A new project for me is an OTS Viking to use with Super Cyclone .60 on spark ignition.  Hoping for it to be my contest machine for Huntersville in May!

BIG Bear
RNMM/AMM

[Will Hinton]

I'm sanding on a jumbo acoustic to ready it for the final clear coats.

[Mike Griffin]

I have been working on a scratch built Navion.  This is the Sterling (Matt Kania) profile design.  I have the wing built and fuselage pieces are covered with CF veil.  Just gave to put it together and finish

Mike

[Mike Griffin]

I have been working on a scratch built Navion.  This is the Sterling (Matt Kania) profile design.  I have the wing built and fuselage pieces are covered with CF veil.  Just gave to put it together and finish

Mike

[wwwarbird]

A new project for me is an OTS Viking to use with Super Cyclone .60 on spark ignition.  Hoping for it to be my contest machine for Huntersville in May!

BIG Bear
RNMM/AMM

 Sounds like an animal in the works Bill, how about some pics?

[wwwarbird]

I'm sanding on a jumbo acoustic to ready it for the final clear coats.

 Hmm, I've never heard of that design Will, is it OT legal?

[Richard Hutlet]

Brokack Vector 40 and I'm still waiting on it  maybe another week

[John Leidle]

   I am doping the frame on my new plane ... 700 square inch " Hot Shot"  Supertiger .60
   John

[wwwarbird]

 Don't be shy with the photos folks, always fun to get a look!

[Dave_Trible]

Kevin Prier cutting ribs for a plan-built Barnstormer in my shop.  In his shop at home he is finishing a new Ruffy and starting a Super Chipmunk.

[Will Hinton]

Hmm, I've never heard of that design Will, is it OT legal?

Actually, it probably is.  I was challenged to put my old Fox 59 on a junker acoustic way back when because I had said you could fly anything control line with a big enough engine!

[Tim Wescott]

Rusty,

I don't think there are any free 3D parametric CAD programs out there (at least legal ones).

There are quite a few really good starts, many of which will let you make parts that can be 3D printed.  None (to my knowledge) deal with assemblies yet, and all are clunky.

I'm using FreeCad, mostly to make pretty pictures to show clients so they can say "Eww! That's not what I wanted!".  http://www.freecadweb.org/.  I still need to figure out the "parametric" part.

[Jim Carter]

Well this is what happens when I get bored!! 

[Bill Heher]

The Tutor II ARF is almost done, TwistStang gathering dust, and a bunch of shop time used to build. Honda D-16Z6 SOHC Turbo motor with my son for his Civic Hatchback. Goes against my GM BowTie heritage, but have to admit the engineering and machine work in these little beasts is impressive!

[RknRusty]

Hey Jim, that LG on top is finally the perfect cure for the Fox Burp! I gotta get me some of those.
I tend to get caught short on fuel doing whifferdills after I finish the pattern. They'd come in handy for that too.
Rusty

[Dennis Leonhardi]

Well this is what happens when I get bored!! 

Jim, how about leadouts on both wingtips now?  You can end up with a "Universal Ringmaster" ...


Dennis

[Jared Hays]

I am converting the anemic Cox Hyper Viper to electric and while I'm at also converting a SIG 1/2 A Skyray to electric. 

both will be 3S powered, 6amp ESC's, Brodak Simple Timer's, and Twisted Hobby's crack series motors.  The Hyper Viper will have a few more KV's than the skyray though.

[Jared Hays]

   I am doping the frame on my new plane ... 700 square inch " Hot Shot"  Supertiger .60
   John

Pics?

[RknRusty]

Now that's a great idea, even better than converting it to a Tee Dee, which it should have been in the first place. I don't think Cox used a TD for a single product engine. Building a Tee Dee .09 or .15 sized profile Hyper Viper has been one of my back Burner projects for years.
Rusty

[Tom Niebuhr]

I have too many projects on the plate.

1) I have stripped the "Galloping Commedian" that I built for the OTS 25th anniversary at the GSCB.  I am starting to make repairs before refinishing.

2) I have a "Dmeco Continental" about 3/4 built. Without the turtle deck it looks like a small Stunt Wagon. I wanted to built this airplane when I was  in grammar school. Kitted in 1955 it is OTS technology in the Classic era. It will never be a competitive Classic but it should be a fun airplane. It will have an early Fox .25 in the nose.

3) A new design for Pampa events. It will be electric and will looks like a midget air racer. 605 sq inches

4) A new electric design for Pampa events. 620 Sq inches. It will look like a late WWII and Korean fighter. Retracts are planned.

5)  A Classic "Falcon Jet". This is a never completed project design by John D"Ottavio. The fuselage has unbelievable contours and a tricycle gear. I have obtained the original airplane from John to use as a template. The wing and tail surfaces are standard Falcon.

6) I also have a new bipe on the drawing board that will do anything that another bipe that I published in FM a while back and now is a widely flown kit will do. The new bipe will be called "Vagabond". It uses the "Hobo" airfoil. It will be fullbodied with an inverted engine with cabane struts and N-struts and will look more like a real airplane with "Pitts Sampson" influence.

Whew! In addition I do custom vinyl grapics and masks.

[Jim Carter]

Hey Jim, that LG on top is finally the perfect cure for the Fox Burp! I gotta get me some of those.
I tend to get caught short on fuel doing whifferdills after I finish the pattern. They'd come in handy for that too.
Rusty

L.O.L.!!  Yeah man!  I figure the burp is a warning for the judges!!  Just imagine my score during an Old Time Stunt meet ..... take off one way .... land another .... judges would have to take my word for it during inverted flight!!  r.o.t.f.l.   

[Jim Carter]

Jim, how about leadouts on both wingtips now?  You can end up with a "Universal Ringmaster" ...


Dennis

Great mind must think alike!!  I thought about that but at my age it's gonna' be a heck of a job to run to race out to grab the two handles then fly with the plane in a constant knife edge!!     Sorta' be like flying a great big stunt kite but it sure seems like a kool challenge, eh!! 

[MikeyPratt]

I am converting the anemic Cox Hyper Viper to electric and while I'm at also converting a SIG 1/2 A Skyray to electric. 

both will be 3S powered, 6amp ESC's, Brodak Simple Timer's, and Twisted Hobby's crack series motors.  The Hyper Viper will have a few more KV's than the skyray though.

Hi Jared,
Way cool thing to do.  The H/V would do a fair pattern with a killer bee .049.  However, the production engine was used and that killed a pretty good model (for being a plastic C/L Cox model).  It always had great looks but disappointing flight performance.

I really considered turning it into electric but the big bug-a-boo was the batteries catching fire and burning the house down and possibly injuring someone.  So the owners took that away and said we must use the production .049.  The one really bright spot about the H/V was the molded two half wing which for its time was really pretty cool and rather light.  I used the same wing with a built up fuse balsa fuse and it flew hands down better over the plastic fuse and the production engine.
Good luck and keep us posted on how it flies,
Mikey

[Jared Hays]

Couldn't agree with you more Mike.  Took probably Cox's best 1/2a stunter and ruined it with their "sure start .049"  It should have come from the factory with the killer bee or TD .049.  We put a killer bee in another H/V we have and it helped but it still needs a little more power so since electric have come a long way and I have some electric experience with my R/C stuff I figured it was time to give it a try.  Keep ya guys posted, its been 0 or negative temps lately with wind chills so don't know when I'll get to try it out haha.

[Doug Moon]

I always liked these threads.  It's cool to see what people have going on in their shops. I love the plane with gear on both top and bottom.  There is a real fine example of craftsmanship on the model with the stringers on the fuse.

So here is what is on mine.

1. I found this little drone/quad on my work bench.  I better watch out I could take down the whole hobby industry with this thing....  It sure is fun to fly and pretty darn maneuverable as well.

2. Assembled a belt drive transmission and mounted a motor.
3. Put all of that and other stuff into a carbon frame and then programmed it on my PC.
4. Boom finished product.  SAB Goblin 570.

5. Moved to the other building table, AKA the coffee table, and built up a cool Lego car with my son.

6. More Lego building with my daughter on the coffe...er...indoor building table.  The Battle of Helms Deep.

Oh yeah I did build a motor crutch for my PA 75. Not much to see there. 

Anyway, thanks for looking.  Keep it coming myself and many others always love to see the projects.

[wwwarbird]

I always liked these threads.  It's cool to see what people have going on in their shops. I love the plane with gear on both top and bottom.  There is a real fine example of craftsmanship on the model with the stringers on the fuse.


Oh yeah I did build a motor crutch for my PA 75. Not much to see there.  

 Please, step on the drone Doug and get to work on the rest of the PA 75 project.

[Howard Rush]

I made some circuit boards that tell an old person whether the battery in his airplane is charged:

[Doug Moon]

Please, step on the drone Doug and get to work on the rest of the PA 75 project.

 Haha. The little drone is a fun change of pace and something to do around the house when I probably should be doing something else more productive, you know like raking leaves, painting the bathroom, fixing a light in the kitchen, messing with my kids, writing my district 8 column..etc.

But hey when its windy 24/7 for 15 months you have to fly something right?

The helicopters come into play there.  It was just a little thing to mess with when I started 1.5 years ago. I had one of those mini ones.  But then I learned and traded up and bought and sold a few along the way and got into a couple of large ones that will handle heavy winds.  So I can go fly something even when CL is not an option. 

I did get to fly last weekend.  2 flights!  First time since October.  It was so awesome!!!!!  I can't wait to go again.  But, 16 mph winds with gusts to who knows what today are making that not an option....maybe tomorrow.

[Will Hinton]

Howard!!  Tube type!!  Holy shades of yesteryear, Batman, that brings back some great memories!!  ("Course, my new guitar amp is also tube type, but that's not flyable.)  The size of those reminds me of the old solder-in 6021's in the tacan!

[Howard Rush]

Will, you are living in the past.  Those are light emitting diodes, not valves. 

[Will Hinton]

Will, you are living in the past.  Those are light emitting diodes, not valves. 

Oops!  Yeah, I'm guilty of the LITP thing, happens more and more these days!  Look out senility, here I come!  (But those 6021's WERE phenominal tubes.)