Here is a basic out line for selecting wood and building a model.
When I start an airplane I just get a drawing on a napkin of what I would like it to look like when finished. My advice is to stay with in the parameters that are known to work. 9-10.5 nose and a 16.25 - 17.5 tail moment. Now the numbers vary with the size of model you are construction. So what I am saying if you see a known working airframe you can modify it to your look you have drawn on the napkin. Repeat after me Everything will work if keep light and straight. I try to stay away from long moments due to rotational inertia.
Now you have your idea on paper time to select the wood. This is important! I hear from time to time I HAVE A WARP I hate to say it but you did it when you selected the wood. You did not look to see where the POWER was. What I mean by that is when selecting the wood look to see (MAKE SURE) which way the grain is running, it should be straight down the cut of the lumber. If it has a dark spot in it thats where the power lies. The darker the spot the more it will warp there! The dark spots or Knots are where the tree took a different direction toward the sun. (You can't fight mother nature.) So don't try to second guess get a new piece of wood for the part.
**However you can sand to a line instead of cut to get a straight piece if necessary.
You can use any sequence you like in building. Wing first ,fuse first stab first what ever because these are all sub assembly's and it doesn't really matter in what order you build them.
Weight and alignment are the biggest factors in a great flying airplane. It does not matter which method you use to achieve perfect alignment, be it by JIG or EYE just make sure its straight and parallel!
Now comes the clincher on alignment! I am jumping forward a little. We are going to fight mother nature again. When you put the covering on and the Dope you have softened the wood. It will try to seek its natural state when wet. Its alway moving. It will continue to move over the life of the plane. This is due to changes in the temp and humidity. You can only do your best to start out to make sure it's straight, KEEP checking throughout the finish.
Use the tools available to you! The resources such as books ,the INTERNET,friends and mentors, ask questions. The only dumb question it the one you don't ask. Just because you think it might be dumb I would bet $10.00 to a donut there are 20 people who are thinking the same thing. Don't beleive everything you hear! Look for the results. Try to copy whats working.
More to follow. I will be adding more as I think of it so check back.
You will now know why I say the finish starts with the first piece of wood cut!
Topic: The Long and short of it. (Read 1174 times)