Author Topic: The official "I hate doing......" thread. (Read 5565 times)

Clint Ormosen · « **on:** October 24, 2015, 03:40:50 PM »

Model airplane building is supposed to be a fun way to relax, but there's always at least one or two tasks involved that you just hate to do.
For me it's hinges. It's tedious, boring, and I suck at them so they always look like crap. As I rebuild the tail section of the Chipmunk, I get to do six more of these miserable little things. What a joy!

If I had to pick a second one, I'd say bending LG wire. Usually 7-8 tries results in something usable.

Tim Wescott · « **Reply #1 on:** October 24, 2015, 03:46:55 PM »

I'm hearing you. I've taken to using a Great Planes "Slot Machine", but if I really want to get things right I'm still making the holes extra large and shimming things with paper-thin scraps of balsa.

Allen Eshleman · « **Reply #2 on:** October 24, 2015, 04:15:12 PM »

Cleaning I C planes after flight.

Dick Pacini · « **Reply #3 on:** October 24, 2015, 04:15:28 PM »

I hate sanding!

Chancey Chorney · « **Reply #4 on:** October 24, 2015, 04:25:07 PM »

This is like the start to an elementary school essay! So, here it goes...
'I hate doing' the walk of shame to the outer circumference of the circle with a bag in hand, after a BAD landing that is....

Matt Colan · « **Reply #5 on:** October 24, 2015, 05:31:43 PM »

Tapering flaps and elevators...I also can't stand that I have to spend 10 minutes to get the building supplies/table out and put away since I have to build on a kitchen table that is for the roommates as well.

Keith Miller · « **Reply #6 on:** October 24, 2015, 08:10:18 PM »

Sanding, unless there's a good TV show on in the man-cave.

FLOYD CARTER · « **Reply #7 on:** October 24, 2015, 08:23:08 PM »

Hinges are easy. I use the DuBro pin hinges. Slots cut with a Dremel cut-off wheel mounted in the drill press. Of course, you have to cut slots before the wing/stab/flap/elevator are built. Otherwise, the fully built parts don't fit in the drill press.

Floyd

Randy Cuberly · « **Reply #8 on:** October 24, 2015, 08:29:40 PM »

I hate doing fillets! Actually I dislike all parts of finishing and painting, but especially fillets!

I also have several unfinished airplanes sitting around to remind me of it!

I love cutting parts, shaping and carving and framing up airplanes...just dislike all aspects of finishing!

Yeah, I know...pitiful!

Randy Cuberly

Dave_Trible · « **Reply #9 on:** October 24, 2015, 09:13:10 PM »

Hollowing top blocks and cowlings. To do a good job means to go through in a few spots. Sometimes carving or routing a little on the fingers. The dust makes me sneeze constantly and doesn't taste too good in the coffee cup. My contact lenses are never quite the same and I look like I've aged twenty years with the added salt and pepper head to toe. Then the clean up....... Wait.......worse is to leave the shop and go to work.

Dave

Daniel_Munro · « **Reply #10 on:** October 25, 2015, 02:39:17 AM »

Quote from: Dick Pacini on October 24, 2015, 04:15:28 PM

I hate sanding!

Haha my 10 year old step son absolutely hates sanding. He has been building a wee racer for the past 6 months! It's almost done but needs lots of sanding done. I've refused to finish it as he needs to learn.

Me personally, I hate preparing to paint. Maybe because finishing isn't my strong point.

Robby Hunt · « **Reply #11 on:** October 25, 2015, 05:47:33 AM »

Tip weight boxes...I hate the thought of building something with the purpose of ADDING weight!

Perry Rose · « **Reply #12 on:** October 25, 2015, 06:09:22 AM »

I hate not being able to fly a plane at the time I decide I want the kit. Not that I'm impatient or anything.

Gordon Van Tighem · « **Reply #13 on:** October 25, 2015, 07:13:23 AM »

Sounds like motivation for a builders co-op. Team work: One who likes to cut out parts, one who enjoys assembly, one who likes to prep for paint and a painter. There all done lets go fly?
Just need to figure out how to move the plane from shop to shop.
G

Fredvon4 · « **Reply #14 on:** October 25, 2015, 09:43:26 AM »

My hate list in no particular order.....(some times these peeves don't torque me off...some times they do)

1. Getting older and not having the motor skills for delicate work or eye sight to see close up detail

2. Getting really motivated and the weather sucks, like too hot/cold or humid to dope/paint

3. At that point to put together something (bell crank, hinges, whatever..) and can't find (or out of) some part, or hours looking for hidden misplaced tool

Almost all finishing tasks, mostly because I suck at good finishes. It really love expertly finished models, and after spending so much time preparing the bones to be straight, filled, sanded, and ready; I muck something up, like tape lifting up whole sections of dope/paint making a good looking panel now look like chit

Jim Kraft · « **Reply #15 on:** October 25, 2015, 09:48:30 AM »

Masking has to be the most miserable job there is. But, it is a required step to finishing a plane. I spend days figuring out the trim scheme, and after it is all done and painted, I sand it off and repaint cause it did not look like I thought it would. Did I mention I hate masking? My wife says, "why do you do that"? I don't know. I seem to be a perfectionest until I realize I am not.

Mike Lauerman · « **Reply #16 on:** October 25, 2015, 10:03:24 AM »

Quote from: Tim Wescott on October 24, 2015, 03:46:55 PM

I'm hearing you. I've taken to using a Great Planes "Slot Machine", but if I really want to get things right I'm still making the holes extra large and shimming things with paper-thin scraps of balsa.

Agreed, in spades. Even with the 'illustrious' slot machine, hinges are still a 'gamble'...

Landing gear wire was always a test, the 'hammer & vise' method was usually the last resort. But then I saw the simple Harry Higley wire bender, (a simple pin anvil that resembled my mechanical tube bender I had at the shop.)
After acquiring that, the bending up of gear was easy. (plus the fact that I was willing to dedicate some time to performing the operation, rather than 'suffering thru an impossible task'!)

Jim Kraft · « **Reply #17 on:** October 25, 2015, 10:49:28 AM »

I simply use the cloth hinges from Tom Morris. They are the easiest and pretty much seal the hinge line. I have never had one fail. They almost disappear when finished.

proparc · « **Reply #18 on:** October 25, 2015, 11:32:49 AM »

Hinges!!!

Terry Caron · « **Reply #19 on:** October 25, 2015, 11:36:16 AM »

Looking at all the pieces after a fun day of flying!

Terry

Will Hinton · « **Reply #20 on:** October 25, 2015, 01:50:17 PM »

Hinges AND sanding in equal hate quantities.

Clint Ormosen · « **Reply #21 on:** October 25, 2015, 02:25:14 PM »

Quote from: proparc on October 25, 2015, 11:32:49 AM

Hinges!!!

Quote from: Will Hinton on October 25, 2015, 01:50:17 PM

Hinges AND sanding in equal hate quantities.

There seems to be a pattern forming here.

Steve Helmick · « **Reply #22 on:** October 25, 2015, 02:56:33 PM »

Filling out the contest report to email to the AMA. Try it, sometime! They just file it anyway. Nobody cares. It's bullshick.

Steve

Bill Little · « **Reply #23 on:** October 25, 2015, 03:13:31 PM »

1 thing really makes me want to just quit and throw the model away. That is priming and sanding primer. Well really it is just sanding the primer/filler! It is a super critical job if you really want a good finish. But it is SO boring and takes up so much time when you can see the finished model in your mind's eye.

I basically like all other aspects of building a stunt machine, or any other C/L model.

Bill

Paul Wood · « **Reply #24 on:** October 25, 2015, 04:28:20 PM »

Blending fillets and painting around canopies. I've done it a hundred different ways and I never get it perfect. Often close, but never perfect. Too easy to get minor blemishes along the paint line and impossible to correct.

john e. holliday · « **Reply #25 on:** October 25, 2015, 04:30:11 PM »

All those that have seen my planes know right off I hate finishing. All the prior stuff keeps me busy and it is some times relaxing.

FLOYD CARTER · « **Reply #26 on:** October 25, 2015, 06:34:50 PM »

Several have indicated a dislike for masking and painting. Me too. But I get around it by copying simple paint jobs of others! I have 3 planes painted with Brett Buck's scheme. 3 colors, maximum, and all straight lines means masking is simpler.

Floyd

Perry Rose · « **Reply #27 on:** October 26, 2015, 04:34:16 AM »

Yup, straight lines, 3 colors and the tape pulls the color off with it.

Randy Ryan · « **Reply #28 on:** October 26, 2015, 06:14:46 AM »

Quote from: Tim Wescott on October 24, 2015, 03:46:55 PM

I'm hearing you. I've taken to using a Great Planes "Slot Machine", but if I really want to get things right I'm still making the holes extra large and shimming things with paper-thin scraps of balsa.

I used one for a long time but that started building the hinge spars up with 1/32 spacer between whatever it took to make it full depth. The 1/32 spaced out forms perfect slots for the hinges leaving no balsa fibers to gum up the works, a very precise and clean slot absolutely centered on the spar. The added benefit is additional stiffness of the spar.

Keith Renecle · « **Reply #29 on:** October 26, 2015, 11:10:57 AM »

My pet hate is trying to put canopies on neatly. You go to all the trouble of moulding one and the screw it ups with all kinds of glue......including canopy glue!

Keith R

Joseph Patterson · « **Reply #30 on:** October 26, 2015, 11:20:51 AM »

HINGES!!
Doug

Randy Powell · « **Reply #31 on:** October 26, 2015, 12:56:01 PM »

Cleaning up the shop.

Tom Niebuhr · « **Reply #32 on:** October 26, 2015, 01:19:37 PM »

Putting hinge slots in 1/4" flaps

Will Hinton · « **Reply #33 on:** October 26, 2015, 02:57:19 PM »

Quote from: Randy Powell on October 26, 2015, 12:56:01 PM

Cleaning up the shop.

You really clean your shop?!

Not me, I'd never find anything!

Jim Kraft · « **Reply #34 on:** October 26, 2015, 03:37:20 PM »

Simple 4 color paint scheme counting the black canopy with all straight lines. Still a pain. Notice the lack of hinges showing.

Trostle · « **Reply #35 on:** October 26, 2015, 04:04:51 PM »

Ok, I will get into this.

There are several things about building these things that I do not particularly enjoy. Like cap-stripping ribs. Applying and sanding carbon mat. Sanding primer. Building tanks for multi-engine models. After several months (or longer) to assemble a model, then to realize that the thing is only half completed as far as time consumed because it still has to get a finish, even a marginally acceptable one. However, what I do enjoy is watching the thing take form and shape. It is really satisfying to find that really neat looking cowl inside a block of wood. And to see the fillets and gussets blend smoothly between the fuselage and wing, to see the canopy match the rest of the fuselage, to see the controls work smoothly and with minimum play. It would take a lot less time for me to build these things if I did not keep looking at the work that as been done.

Keith

bob whitney · « **Reply #36 on:** October 26, 2015, 04:30:15 PM »

u can get your controls to work smoothly

Randy Powell · « **Reply #37 on:** October 26, 2015, 08:49:29 PM »

Will, when you start wading through the shavings, you just have to sweep.

Charles Carter · « **Reply #38 on:** October 26, 2015, 11:00:56 PM »

I really hate drilling engine mount holes, If one of them is a little off it is a pain for always and forever.

Charles Carter

Clint Ormosen · « **Reply #39 on:** October 27, 2015, 01:16:33 AM »

Quote from: Charles Carter on October 26, 2015, 11:00:56 PM

I really hate drilling engine mount holes, If one of them is a little off it is a pain for always and forever.

Charles Carter

There's an alignment tool available that takes the sting out of that job. I think it's Great Planes.

Carl Cisneros · « **Reply #40 on:** October 27, 2015, 08:16:42 AM »

As stated ALL ABOVE, those are things I hate to do as well as think of a covering sceme for iron on covering on the model.

NOT to do with modeling, but I HATE TO RAKE UP LEAVES IN THE FALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Shug Emery · « **Reply #41 on:** October 27, 2015, 08:26:29 AM »

Wiping the goo off after flying. I loathe that chore.
Shug the Greasy

john e. holliday · « **Reply #42 on:** October 27, 2015, 09:45:36 AM »

Quote from: Carl Cisneros on October 27, 2015, 08:16:42 AM

As stated ALL ABOVE, those are things I hate to do as well as think of a covering sceme for iron on covering on the model.

NOT to do with modeling, but I HATE TO RAKE UP LEAVES IN THE FALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I don't have that problem any more as my trees have been removed.

Randy Ryan · « **Reply #43 on:** October 27, 2015, 10:54:18 AM »

There are a lot of things I hate starting, but then end up enjoying it after I get into it. But if I had to name one (well 2) that doesn't get much better it would be cockpit and paint detailing. That's why my paint jobs are simple and my cockpits with few exceptions aren't cockpits at all, just a black panel where the canopy glues on. Why not dye your canopies you ask? I hate that look...........

Jim Roselle · « **Reply #44 on:** October 27, 2015, 11:31:31 AM »

1. Applying tissue / silk span on fuselage and solid structures.

2. Sanding primer.

3. Masking.

4. Fixing things that aren't right because I took a shortcut that I knew I shouldn't have but convinced myself it would work this time.

Mark Scarborough · « **Reply #45 on:** October 27, 2015, 11:40:02 AM »

sheesh,, guys painting is the best part,, thats when you get to make all that work you did pay off and make it shiney and pretty,,

Randy Ryan · « **Reply #46 on:** October 27, 2015, 12:18:07 PM »

Quote from: Mark Scarborough on October 27, 2015, 11:40:02 AM

sheesh,, guys painting is the best part,, thats when you get to make all that work you did pay off and make it shiney and pretty,,

First color coat and last clear coat Mark, everything in between is pure torture.

Mark Scarborough · « **Reply #47 on:** October 27, 2015, 12:31:18 PM »

Quote from: Randy Ryan on October 27, 2015, 12:18:07 PM

First color coat and last clear coat Mark, everything in between is pure torture.

respectfully,, thats the best part,, the clearcoat is agonizing because I want it to lay down perfect, no runs, no dry spots,, laying out the paint scheme is the payoff,,

ok so maybe I am a little twisted, but hey its me,,
the agonizing part for me is everything between painting and first flight,, I always thing,, its painted, its looking ok,, almost ready to fly,, then its another week of futzing about to get it ready,, then of course waiting for "the day" to test fly it,,

Will Hinton · « **Reply #48 on:** October 27, 2015, 01:39:57 PM »

Randy, sweep? What a novel concept. I just spent two hours on my knees scrubbing my checkerboard floor covering because I spilled some stain! Shavings, I just shop-vac those. It's my benches that scare the begeebers outta me!

Randy Ryan · « **Reply #49 on:** October 28, 2015, 07:16:40 AM »

Quote from: Mark Scarborough on October 27, 2015, 12:31:18 PM

respectfully,, thats the best part,, the clearcoat is agonizing because I want it to lay down perfect, no runs, no dry spots,, laying out the paint scheme is the payoff,,

ok so maybe I am a little twisted, but hey its me,,
the agonizing part for me is everything between painting and first flight,, I always thing,, its painted, its looking ok,, almost ready to fly,, then its another week of futzing about to get it ready,, then of course waiting for "the day" to test fly it,,

We all have our own twist rate Mark, mine is curly on the ends and tangled in the middle.

Author Topic: The official "I hate doing......" thread. (Read 5565 times)

Robby Hunt

Jim Roselle