Double Flyboy

[Socketassault]

Here's what I have so far...

By socket29, shot with COOLPIX L5 at 2008-12-13

And, this ....thing...is my old FLyboy..
Behold it in it's cracked, broken, peeling awesomness!

By socket29, shot with COOLPIX L5 at 2008-12-13

That green rectangle is a patch. The tissue and balsa inside was destroyed by a tree :/. The wheels are also really really badly crooked...

[thymekiller]

Looks well loved.

thymekiller

[Socketassault]

Looks well loved.

thymekiller

And by "loved" you mean "messed up", right?
Haha!

[thymekiller]

No, I mean loved. It looks like it has been flown. When you fly them, they get messed up a little. Sometimes its a tree, or bush or what ever. My dog was kind enough to fetch one for me, once. Dont try that at home. Its a one flight trick. She brought MOST of it back.
Crashes and repairs are a fact of life in this hobby. The more air time they get, the more "loved " it will look. Some people build one and get it to fly. Then they build another , exactly like it, and add what they learned to the second one. Or the third, ect. Each one will be better than the previous, whether its the same one or something different. Trust me.
If you cover with a water based glue you can use a small paint brush and water to remove the cover and recover again.
The first few flights are always the worst. They call them trim flights because thats when you make all those adjustments. After trim is set, they survive pretty well.
Dont worry so much about the way it looks. The way it flys is much more important. I generally add detail stuff after trimming so there isnt so much to repair. Your airplane looks just fine. Remember, you cant see all those little boo-boos when its circleing 50 foot above you.

thymekiller

[Socketassault]

Alright, new problem. How do I reduce the friction between the prop and the plane? I Obviously can't just leave the prop rubbing against the front. It needs a friction-reducing thing. Remember I'm builidng from scrap, so would a drilled out button rubbing against another button work?

[thymekiller]

If you are talking about inbetween the prop and thrust button, You can drill thru a bead. Maybe the plastic head of a stick pin, something like that.
If the prop and thrust button are both plastic, just sand the joining surfaces into a kinda round surface. Then just a tiny drop of oil or armor-all. If the prop is wood, There are many ways. I use super glue to make the surface of the prop hard. [ only where it touches the thrust button ] Be sure not to glue the metal prop hook or let the hole fill up. I'm sure there are better ways and I think someone else could better field that one. Maybe make a thrust washer out of a plastic soda bottle. You would only need one. Ground up pencil lead makes a great dry lubicant.
I posted a link in the thread about finishing touches to a web site that could offer many answers about bearing friction. {And other stuff.}
Sorry I cant help much with this one. I buy most of my props. Havent learned to carve yet.

eric

[Xanadu]

How about a small button?

[Socketassault]

Yeah, my dad suggested two small plastic buttons. He said I should glue one to the propeller , and glue/place the other one in between the prop and the plane.

Do you guys think that will work?

The props are balsa.
The tutorial is pretty easy to follow.http://www.gryffinaero.com/models/ffpages/tips/propcarve.html
Hope that helps

[Xanadu]

Just sand or file the mating edges flat, this way they spin across one another nice and smooth.
Should work just fine.

[supercruiser]

Carving your own props. Wonderful.
They look like counter-rotating propellers from the photos. Are they?
That will help with trimming if they are.

[Socketassault]

Carving your own props. Wonderful.
They look like counter-rotating propellers from the photos. Are they?
That will help with trimming if they are.

Yes, they are. That was the idea, because my flyboy turned too much...

[Socketassault]

Umm where do you guys get long rubber band strips? I don't want to use little rubber band stied together...

[SteveM]

Umm where do you guys get long rubber band strips? I don't want to use little rubber band stied together...

http://www.pennvalleyhobbycenter.com/ru ... rubber.htm
http://www.peck-polymers.com/store/Category.asp?Cguid={CFD9C606-7D5E-4B76-943F-5A3928ADEBAD}&Category=ModelSupplies%3ARubber
http://www.hobbylinc.com/prods/amz_pec.htm
http://www.shortysbasement.com/index.ph ... t&catId=92

[supercruiser]

Guillow sells rubber bands, looking either in building supplies or their kit parts listing page. I think they come in 96" lengths. Or a web search with such words as: free flight models. There are several online sources.
Some hobby shops actually carry rubber bands for balsa models.

[Xanadu]

I have quite a few left over rubber bands from Guillow kits. If you want them for free, I am willing to send them to you.
Drop me a PM with your mailing address and I will send them to you.