The Super Knockabout is my first kit build in over 25 years. The first kits I built were before laser cutting and CA glue were either available or in wide use.
As I’m moving through this build, getting reacquainted will building again, I thought I’d list some building tips that I find useful and help me get through the build process.
Building Tips
1. First and foremost is a complete review and inspection of your kit. Check the manufacturers supplied parts list to make sure all of the needed parts are included and in useable condition. If you have dimensions identified for the parts double check them. You don’t want to find an incorrectly sized part after you’ve glued it together.
2. Organize the parts by building step. Use rubber bands to group smaller parts together. When starting a step keep only the necessary parts in the immediate build area. This helps to keep you from accidentally using a visually similar but wrong part.
3. Read through the entire instruction manual several times and reread it as you go along. Get visually familiar with all of the parts and with the assembly order.
4. Always test fit parts before you glue them together. For example, wing-tube holes in the ribs and landing gear wire holes in the gear blocks may need some resizing to get a proper fit and after these parts are installed is sometimes not the best time to have to make adjustments.
5. Building up sub-assemblies before you start on a section keeps the build process flowing.
6. Start with and maintain a clean and uncluttered work area. Make sure you have plenty of lighting so you can easily see small details.
7. A flat and level work surface is critical. A ceiling tile on top of a wood or thick glass surface works well.
8. Setup you work table in a “U” or “L” shape so you can keep building supplies and tools within reach and to help keep them off of the build table. A comfortable chair set to the correct height takes some stress off of your back and legs, which helps to keep you at the building table.
9. Fresh CA glue in different viscosities close at hand keeps the build moving. If the bottle is getting low, have another that is ready to use. Sometimes you can’t afford to lose even a few seconds looking for more glue when you run out in the middle of a squeeze. Use medium to thick for the basic building, medium penetrates better than thick, while thick helps to fill gaps and buys some setup time as it will cure a bit slower.
Updated 1/18/2012 -
10. Keep plenty of small light pressure, various length clamps on hand. They are inexpensive and having extra ones keeps the build process moving.
11. When building a wing panel, a Rafters Square (see above picture) helps align the ribs to the required 90 degree angle.
That’s it for right now. More tips to come as I work through the build and I find out what’s working and what’s not!
