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THIS WEEKS TIPS
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   MONDAY - SEPT 29 -08
  DRILLS: Small drills from #50 (about 1.75-1.8 mm in diametttttter) down to #80 (.33mm diametttttter) as well as mettttttric drill increments of 1/10 mm are very handy for a number of uses on exterior areas of aircraft - putting in locating holes for pylons, ettttttc.  Small mettttttric and Imperial drills can be obtained from engineering supplies. 

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       TUESDAY - SEPT-30 -08
  Setscrew Gripping  Ever have wheel collars not hold on axles? Or maybe that nosegear keeps twisting because the steering arm won't tighten? Try grinding or filing a flat spot on the wire where the setscrew will go. This provides a better surface for the screw to tighten against. Better yet, grind a flat spot with a small diameter (worn out) cut-off wheel. The small diameter causes the flat spot to actually be concave, which helps the setscrew grip even more.

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          WEDNESDAY - OCT-1 -08
Cleaning Superglue (CA) Tips  After using a bottle of CA adhesive for a plane or two, the tip usually gets cured glue all over it. Remove the tip from the bottle and soak it in a closed jar of acetone. Nail polish remover also works, as long as it's the kind that contains acetone. After about an hour, the cured CA will gel, and is easily peeled off the tip.

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        THURSDAY - OCT 2 -08
Transmitter Neck Straps  If you use a neck strap on your transmitter, beware of getting it caught in a rotating propeller! Some people leave the strap around their neck and detach the transmitter while starting engines. This is a perfect way for it to get caught in the prop, especially if you start your planes on the ground rather than a stand or table. Also, having the transmitter nearby while starting an engine is potentially a hazard. When you pick up the transmitter make sure the strap doesn't swing into the prop.

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     FRIDAY - OCT 3 -08
Converting Cubic Inches to cc's   Sometimes there's a need to convert cubic inches to cubic centimeters (cc) or vice-versa where engine displacement is concerned. One cubic inch is equivalent to 16.39 cubic centimeters. So to convert from in3 to cc's, just multiply the in3 by 16.39 to get cc's. To convert cc's to in3, divide the cc's by 16.39 to get in3. And remember, a 7.5cc engine is the same as a .46 (pretty close).

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      SATURDAY - OCT 4-08
Measuring Balsa Density  Knowing the density or weight of balsa pieces can be important. It's especially useful when making ailerons or wingtips, because you want the pieces to be "matched", which will result in a better balanced and better flying airplane. To do this, choose balsa that is similar in weight by weighing them on a gram scale. If you don't have a gram scale, use the deflection method: Take the balsa pieces, and using heavy weights or sandbags, hold down a few inches of one end of each balsa piece onto the edge of a table. Make sure that equal amounts of each piece of balsa overhang the edge. Place a smaller weight onto the other end of each piece, and measure how far each one bends from the floor. The one that bends the most generally is the lighter piece. Using this method, you can choose balsa that is similar in density. Keep in mind that if you build from kits, you don't have to use the supplied wood if you don't like it!

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      SUNDAY -28 -08
CLAMPS: Use wooden pegs (plastic pegs could risk being affixed) as clamps on flat surfaces like wings and fins or small round objects like some fuselages, missiles ettttttc.  Rubber bands (doubled over) are good as clamps around the fuselage and there are also alligator type clips that can be used (be careful the teetttttth do not eat into what they are clamping - if in doubt, place a bit of masking tape bettttttween plastic and teetttttth!).  Of course masking tape (or even Scotch Magic Tape) can also be used as a clamp, particularly where cowlings and cockpits are not very accommodating for pegs or rubber bands - just make sure you have secured the tape tightly.