For me, it was advice I got from Pat Tritle:

"Build an airplane to fly, not to crash."

Originally Posted by builderdude

For me, it was advice I got from Pat Tritle:

"Build an airplane to fly, not to crash."

i believe the advice is "build a thermal glider to fly, and a slope soarer to crash"

Originally Posted by scruffy1

i believe the advice is "build a thermal glider to fly, and a slope soarer to crash"

No he's right.

Built it strong enough to withstand flight loads, not crash loads.

If you built it to withstand crash loads it'll probably never fly.

Originally Posted by Curare

No he's right.

Built it strong enough to withstand flight loads, not crash loads.

If you built it to withstand crash loads it'll probably never fly.

you haven't flown the slopes where i live obviously

even a brick will gain elevation in a good sou' easterly, but getting anything to return in one piece requires resilience on attaining terra firma

I've flown in some pretty crazy places.

The best building tip I ever got... well, this one applies to life in general, I learned it the hard way and I've reminded my son of it as he was growing up, and that is:
Never ever think(or talk) about how good you are at something while you're doing it.

If you are working hard on a project especially when precision is at a premium, and you hear your inner voice say, That'll do, back off and take a break. Come back later when you are fresh and re-think your work.

I hope that's not too obvious to qualify as a good tip.

Originally Posted by RknRusty

The best building tip I ever got... well, this one applies to life in general, I learned it the hard way and I've reminded my son of it as he was growing up, and that is:
Never ever think(or talk) about how good you are at something while you're doing it.

I like this one.
And I personally reminded someone of this here, just a few days ago.

A foam roller to varnish a fabric and wood wing in lieu of a brush. The foam roller spreads the varnish (or paint) and if any squeezes thru the fabric the foam will re-absorb it once it when it becomes less saturated with the varnish. Thanks Nigel Tarvin of Tarvin Model Products!

I have not read all the great tips here yet, and this has most likely been submitted but.......

I'm doing my second build (Sportster 60)

I asked one of the experienced builders the best way to build the other wing, the idea of "building upside down" has me a bit flabbergasted.

He gave me a genius idea, take the existing wing plan, flip it over, and lightly coat it with cooking oil.

Obviously putting down plastic or wax paper over it to protect the building board and Balsa

It makes it just as good as side "A"

Hope it helps -S

Spraying the plans with WD-40 works as well.

Honestly, the best tip I ever got was from the last guillows kit I attempted to build, believe it or not. Before I started building kits as an adult, I had tried a couple times as a kid and had apparently never noticed the part where you are supposed to put wax paper or plastic wrap over the plans. That was a big Oooooooh thats how this works moment for me

" you should put locktite on that"

Tried a couple of searches to see if this had been brought up -no find.

For those putting retracts in a wing with modest dihedral, some times a 90° set just doesn't sit 90° to the ground. Use these to shim up the correct angle.

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXE953&P=SM

20, 40 , or 60 size One plate will do a set of mains. Just cut in 4 pieces. I suppose you could double them to get up 6°.

build it to fly not to withstand a crash

and a close second was build it straight.