6 Super Shop Tips from MAN Readers

Here are seven superb workshop tips straight from the best modelers in the world — MAN readers! Have a tip you’d like to share? Send it to MAN@airage.com (no photo or illustration required!).

KEEP CANOPY BOLTS FROM BACKING OUT

Use this method to help hold on to canopies. Take an 1/8-inch-thick piece of rubber sheet, cut just a small piece to fit onto the back side of the blind nut, and carefully glue it in place with CA glue. Once it is trimmed to fit, drill a 1/16-inch-diameter hole from the front side through the rubber. When the canopy screw goes through the back side of the blind nut, the rubber acts like a nylon locknut. This keeps the screws from backing out and getting lost, saving me time and money.

 

SAVE ALL THOSE COVERING-FILM BACKING SHEETS

Those few of us who still build from plans or kits have long known that wax paper is less than satisfactory protection of plans when gluing with CA. Here is my solution. Try using the backing sheets from your covering film. CA absolutely will not stick to this stuff. Try to save the large pieces from covering wing panels and use it to protect your plans. Save money while recycling.

 

PHOTO COCKPIT

Tired of your drab old cockpit? Spruce it up with a photo. You can get pictures of aircraft cockpits from magazines, books, or even online. Just take a picture with your digital camera, and edit it with your photo program to the correct size and shape. Print the picture on photo paper, and cut it to fit your plane’s cockpit. Paint the edges with a flat color that matches the background, drop your pilot in, and you’re all set.

 

MAKING THE CUT

Straightedge rulers tend to slide when you run a knife along them to strip balsa or make cuts in covering. To help guide your blade with more authority, try using an office supply cork-backed stainless steel ruler. The cork will grip slippery surfaces and create a straight cut on your balsa or covering. The cool thing is that the ruler will flex and follow the contour of a wing or fuselages. The cork-backed ruler can also be used for making panel lines one your plane because of its flexibility and straight edge.

 

LETTER LINEUP

Applying individual letters and number can be tedious. One way to make it easier is to first lay down a strip of low-tack masking tape (a little longer than what you need), sticky side up. Remove the figures one at a time from their backing and lay on the tape. Use one edge of the masking tape to keep them aligned straight so all you have to worry about is the spacing between letters. Apply the masking tape in place on the model and use your fingers to apply pressure to the letters or numbers in order to stick them down on the surface. Then, just remove the masking tape.

 

HEX-WRENCH HOLDER

Keeping track of your hex wrenches or ball drivers can sometimes be a headache. You can spend some time looking for the size you need, and how would you know if one was missing? Take a short length of 2×4 and drill holes large enough to stand each driver or wrench in it. Now you can easily find the one I need, and if any are missing, you’ll know right away.