Register Now

kelownafred · 03-22-2005, 01:25 AM

I've been building my first RC model, a Sig LT-40 for a few days now...things were going nicely and I was having tons of fun but now I've come to a speed bump.
I'm making the slots for the Sig Easy Hinges on the wing. Now the stabilizer went great, I was a little nervous...first time doing this and I really wanted to get them right. Well they went great! So onto the slots on the wing trailing edge with confidence and.....I've come to an almost grinding halt!!

The wood on the trailing edge is way harder than the stabilizer wood. I just spent 2 hours of valuable and hard to come by building time and I have two slots cut!! The Exacto blade is no match for this tough wood, I even tried a Dremel wheel but it doesn't go deep enough and if I put on a bigger wheel I'm afraid the slot will be too wide and long. Does anyone have any tips, suggestions to do this job a little faster?? Thanks for any help.

Frenchman · 03-22-2005, 04:09 AM

Fred

Check and see if any of your flying friends have what is called a slot machine. It will make short work of the slots and they will be perfect as well. If you plan on doing a lot of building it might be a worthwhile investment. $35.00 at Great Hobbies

JimMcIntyre · 03-22-2005, 07:00 AM

I'll second the slot machine. Just don't try it on anything harder than balsa ... the little plastic cam will be toast.

bentwing · 03-22-2005, 05:12 PM

Hi Kelona Fred
This is not ment to sound sarcastic, but are you sure the wood you used for the trailing edge is balsa?

kelownafred · 03-22-2005, 07:55 PM

Thanks for the help guys, I stoped at my local hobby shop on the way home and picked up a set of Dubro Slotter Tools. They ddn't have the electric one but I tried the tools when I got home and they work much better than just an Exacto knife. Thanks again.

rcflyr · 03-22-2005, 09:04 PM

You could also try some robart hinges they a little beefy for a trainer but you could use the small ones they're easier that slot style hinges IMO

P.S. I learned on an LT 40 you'll learn quick on that plane it's a fine trainer

Good luck

Bipe Flyer · 05-30-2005, 03:05 AM

I have a slot machine and it makes cutting slots a lot easier, but I rarely use it since I started using Robart hinges. Just drill a hole and glue it in.

edmoor · 12-16-2009, 11:51 PM

Basswood!!!!!!!!!!!

03-22-2005, 01:25 AM	#1
kelownafred Guest Join Date: Feb 2005 Feedback: 0 / 0% Posts: 19 Total Props: 0	My balsa wood is too hard!!! Remove this ad - become a site supporter! I've been building my first RC model, a Sig LT-40 for a few days now...things were going nicely and I was having tons of fun but now I've come to a speed bump. I'm making the slots for the Sig Easy Hinges on the wing. Now the stabilizer went great, I was a little nervous...first time doing this and I really wanted to get them right. Well they went great! So onto the slots on the wing trailing edge with confidence and.....I've come to an almost grinding halt!! The wood on the trailing edge is way harder than the stabilizer wood. I just spent 2 hours of valuable and hard to come by building time and I have two slots cut!! The Exacto blade is no match for this tough wood, I even tried a Dremel wheel but it doesn't go deep enough and if I put on a bigger wheel I'm afraid the slot will be too wide and long. Does anyone have any tips, suggestions to do this job a little faster?? Thanks for any help.
	.

03-22-2005, 04:09 AM	#2
Frenchman RCC Contributor I am: Rene B Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kitchener Ontario Feedback: 0 / 0% Posts: 461 Total Props: 0	Fred Check and see if any of your flying friends have what is called a slot machine. It will make short work of the slots and they will be perfect as well. If you plan on doing a lot of building it might be a worthwhile investment. $35.00 at Great Hobbies __________________ Rene MAAC # 68775
	.

03-22-2005, 09:04 PM	#6
rcflyr RCC Junior Contributor Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Milton, ON Feedback: 0 / 0% Posts: 178 Total Props: 0	You could also try some robart hinges they a little beefy for a trainer but you could use the small ones they're easier that slot style hinges IMO P.S. I learned on an LT 40 you'll learn quick on that plane it's a fine trainer Good luck __________________ Kick the tires and light the fires! MAAC 69424
	.

05-30-2005, 03:05 AM	#7
Bipe Flyer RCC Junior Contributor Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Mission BC Feedback: 0 / 0% Posts: 124 Total Props: 0	I have a slot machine and it makes cutting slots a lot easier, but I rarely use it since I started using Robart hinges. Just drill a hole and glue it in. __________________ 1/2A all the way!
	.

12-16-2009, 11:51 PM	#8
edmoor RCC Apprentice Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: KILLBUCK OHIO Feedback: 0 / 0% Posts: 57 Total Props: 0	Re: My balsa wood is too hard!!! Basswood!!!!!!!!!!!
	.

03-22-2005, 07:00 AM	#3
JimMcIntyre RCC Supreme Contributor I am: Jim McIntyre Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Claremont Ontario Radio of choice: JR/Spectrum # of RCs: 999 Feedback: 1 / 100% Posts: 4,343 Total Props: 1	I'll second the slot machine. Just don't try it on anything harder than balsa ... the little plastic cam will be toast.
	.

03-22-2005, 05:12 PM	#4
bentwing Guest Join Date: Dec 2004 Feedback: 0 / 0% Posts: 43 Total Props: 0	Hi Kelona Fred This is not ment to sound sarcastic, but are you sure the wood you used for the trailing edge is balsa?
	.

03-22-2005, 07:55 PM	#5
kelownafred Guest Join Date: Feb 2005 Feedback: 0 / 0% Posts: 19 Total Props: 0	Thanks for the help guys, I stoped at my local hobby shop on the way home and picked up a set of Dubro Slotter Tools. They ddn't have the electric one but I tried the tools when I got home and they work much better than just an Exacto knife. Thanks again.
	.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

vBulletin Message

Cancel Changes

Register Now

Log-in