Guillows quality!

[JOhn M Oshust]

I am half way in to a build of a Guillows "Sprit of St. Louis". I puchased the kit directly from Guillows in hopes that the kit components would be of quality. I am finished with the fuselage and today started the wing. The planes are great but the components are crap. If you want to see the Spirit construction please go to http://virtualaerodrome.com/image_detai ... 05&offset=


Hugs John "O"

[supercruiser]

John,
I have the Guillow Spirit of ST. Louis kit. Opened the box a few years ago and looked at the plans/parts. Haven't touched it since. Got so many other projects. When you say the components, do you mean the vacuuformed parts? I'm going to try to duplicate the damescheling (?) on the cowling which you have done I think this model might be my first electric r/c airplane.

[JOhn M Oshust]

Supercruiser..the plastc parts reflect a by gone era in plastic molding. My main complaint was with the wood. I started the wing last night to find all of the wing spars are not notched or even marked for stringers. I purchased direct from Guillow as I hoped to get quality balsa. I have scracth buit most of the kit. I guess I just paid for the plans!

[SteveM]

Looks like Dave has posted a picture on the Virtual Aerodrome. His description of the notches matches my very limited experience.

[cdwheatley]

John, I think you're being a little harsh on Guillow's to criticise them and their kits as you have done here and at the Virtual Aerodrome. I think they do a fantastic job of producing a wide variety of kits that are, by and large, good quality and excellent value for money. Their customer service, in my experience, has always been top notch too.

I understand you are not happy with the wood, but regarding the notch problem you mention in one of your comments at the Virtual Aerodrome is it possible that you have misunderstood part of the plans or instructions? DD has posted a possible explaination there, and Steve has kindly provided a link to it from here. Guillow's kits and plans differ from other manufacturers, and even from series to series, and require careful study before attempting anything.

You have proven yourself to be a competent scratch builder John. If Guillow's kits or any others do not meet your high standards then my advice is to carry on with that method instead!

[JOhn M Oshust]

I do not think I am being harsh. The planes are great, as the instructions. When one is willing to spend the extra to by direct from the maufacturer, one expects higher quality. I do not think that this is an unreasonable expectation. As a child I built Guillows planes and I thought their wood inferior. Compareing the balsa to two Easy Build models that I have on the shelf there is no comariso their balsa is inferior. Compared to the balsa I purchase at a craft shop, there balsa is inferior.

[JOhn M Oshust]

I am truly sorry to have ruffled so many feathers commenting on Guillows balsa. I am a novice at building planes. My Spirit is only my third. It is nice to see how many of you have an allegiance to a company. Your comments have directed me to, yet another, Guillows build. When the Spirit is complete I will order another direct from the company and see what will occur.

[supercruiser]

Mr. Oshust,
When you say ordering direct, that may or may not make a difference. Depending on the backlog of balsa stock they may have. For the higher quality wood you may have to go with a laser cut kit. I have the laser cut SE5A. The wood is very good quality and the laser cut notches make fitting the model together easy. Really easy. There is a brown (burnt wood) residue from the laser but, I hear that it can be wiped away with alcohol. Or like I did and just give each notch a quick swipe with my sanding nothcer. The price of the laser cut kit is higher, however, I think it is less expensive than other kit manufacturers.

Hey folks, just for reference I stopped by a local mom and pop hobby shop. On the shelf was a Guillow Hellcat, $9.99. Much enjoyment for 10 bucks.

[SteveM]

Although there seem to be a few exceptions to the rule, I haven't heard anyone gushing about the great quality of the wood in their Guillow's kit. It seems to me that most people feel that the quality of the wood is acceptable given the quality of the plans and the low cost of the kit.

I agree with supercruiser in that you shouldn't buy direct if there is no benefit. The Spirit of St. Louis would have been about $12 cheaper from Hobbylinc. Not only would you feel like you got a better deal but you could use the cash to buy quality wood at your LHS.

The laser cut Dumas kit that I also got has good quality wood but the directions (and the enclosed revision) are terrible and the kit cost me 2.5 times more than a similar kit from Guillow's.

I like to hear about people's experience and opinions regarding kits. It's nice to see someone that is not afraid to ruffle a few feathers to say that they are not happy. Those with ruffled feathers can then help you find a solution.

Looking forward to seeing more pictures of your builds.

[JOhn M Oshust]

Steve your point is well taken. I have limited knowledge in the comparison field as I am still a novice at this. I have two Easy build kits in waiting. They are the only kit wood kits that I have to do a comparison. My mini lumber yard is balsa and bass purchased at a craft shop and a rail road hobby shop. Shops that sell balsa airplanes in my area are slim and none.

[Xanadu]

I drive 30 miles, one way, to get to the closest hobby store that sells items I like and require.

Unfortunately its part of life, since I live in a rural area.

The closest major city is 30 miles away, and only has 2 hobby shops that carry planes, kits, balsa, and building supplies. What they don't stock, they can get in for me, all I need to do is ask........and I do.

And I also buy online, both EBay and hobby outlets from USA, Canada, and Japan.
I have bought some great kits from Ebay, and also a couple so-so. So far its, been a positive experiance to say the least.

[JOhn M Oshust]

I hear you I am off to my cabin in the hills of Pennsylvania to try to decrease the turkey population. No hobby shops for miles. Closet food store 12 miles.

[scigs30]

A Guillows kit is what it is. I don't agree with people when they state these are good kits for the money. I have been building for many years and have built Guillows kits, I have some of my builds posted here. I fully understand that a laser cut kit would add to the price and some people would not pay for the extra cost. All I am asking for is better quality wood, I would rather see printed wood than the die crush if that meant better quality, really how much more would that cost? Lets face it you end up having to cut out most of the die crushed parts anyway. The other thing Guillows could do is add an insert in the box that shows how to make a functional nose block. If you build the kit like you are supposed too, there is no way to add nose weight or thrust. Those are the two things I would like to see change with Guillows. Lets face it these kits are not designed to win a contest, but they are some of the first kits people learn on. So all the extra wood is a good thing, because it makes sanding and covering easy for a beginner. I think that if Guillows had better quality wood and a functioning nose block, beginners would be happy with the flights they can achieve. I have collected most of the Guillows kits and Comet kits over the years and hope to build them all. I will continue to build Guillows kits but use my own wood. I have built these kits with quality balsa, made funtioning nose blocks and had successful flights.