Basic Building Tools for Balsa Model Aeroplanes - RC Model Aeroplane Build & Repair

What are the basic tools for building balsa model aeroplanes - This is my basic suggestions when starting out on bulding a balsa aeroplane kit. Please add your thoughts and suggestions in the comments.
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[@johnroberts3723]

Thanks for that mate, You definitely covered everything a beginner or experienced modeller needs. The only thing that I would add to the list is a selection of small files and a pair of pliers.

[@MarkRobinson555]

Good point! Thanks for the comment, pleased you enjoyed the video 😀

[@orellanajuan9431]

Scroll saw is a must!

[@davidmohan9784]

Thanks Mark, great refresher on the basics and I’ll be sure to add a few steel blocks to the bench now.

[@MarkRobinson555]

Pleased to have helped, thanks very much for the comment

[@RCTaildraggin]

Thanks Mark, always nice to see what others use. The items in my toolbox looks very similar to yours, thanks for sharing 👍

[@MarkRobinson555]

Thanks Jerry, really appeciate your continued support and comments

[@rezanashta3581]

Cheers mate, very informative 👍🏽

[@MarkRobinson555]

Thanks very much for the comment, greatly appreciated 😀

[@runforitman]

just bought my first balsa kit am excited to give it a go this video was a big help, for me, with giving me confidence with the tools I have (i have most of these tools, so I'm glad to know they're enough to build it)

[@MarkRobinson555]

Glad I could help! Good luck with the build

[@Brian-1948]

Thank you Mark, very useful info. I've got most bits but still looking, my notebook has got some new entries now.

[@MarkRobinson555]

Hi Brian, thanks for the comment, it's appreciated, glad you liked the video 😀

[@mikepasko7493]

Great info........

[@MarkRobinson555]

Thanks for he comment, itts appreciated

[@michaelgallant7615]

Good video great info for the new builder...

[@MarkRobinson555]

Thanks very much, appreciate you taking the time to let me know 😀

[@NormanLedoyen]

Good one Mark

[@MarkRobinson555]

Thanks Norm, appreciate your support 😀

[@WSquared60]

Great vid, thanks for posting! To add some financial perspective, the entire shopping list from this video (minus metal blocks, caliper and plane) was right at $100 USD on Amazon choosing relatively good quality items in Jun 22. Cheers!

[@MarkRobinson555]

Thanks, appreciate the additional information 😀

[@arthurvanaalst]

Hallo Mark, I have now the same blocks. It cost me € 30,-- and i paint them black. It was a very good idea. Thanks Mark.

[@MarkRobinson555]

Excellent, really pleased to hear, thanks for letting me know it will be the best €30 you have ever spent, they are so useful - good building

[@ARMY_RUGS]

Just coming into the hobby . And I’m learning to build ex planes from balsa . This is my first video . Thanks a lot @mark . Hoping to get more videos for complete build for beginners. Thnx. Can you kindly list the tools in the description next time and possibly purchase links

[@MarkRobinson555]

Hi there, welcome to the hobby and I am pleased you found my video useful. I have done a few build series, which may help you along the way, take a look in my play list. I have listed a wood supplier in another comment to you, here is another link which is really useful for supplies, again in the UK www.modelshopleeds.co.uk/catalog/index.php?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI19rjw9LA7AIVGO7tCh1RLQk5EAAYASAAEgLpi_D_BwE Good luck, and enjoy building!

[@nunukula]

nice Video!

[@MarkRobinson555]

Thanks!

[@UP-th2jk]

Corkboard? I can't live with out a good tightly made corkboard. I pin down plans...etc.

[@geoffreydowen5793]

hi Mark, I hAD a stroke in 2020 and purchased some plans for a Mk1 Spitfire, 6 foot wings! I didnt think of the size when purchasing, so it is a bit of a shock. looks like you are going to be my mentor in all this hnace me watching this about basic tools im panicking a bit actually, although i am /was, a carpenter; previous life! ithink I have the ability within to make this as part of my rehabilitation. nice flow to your show and you are english,my draeings are imperial , so im having to convert everything prior to ordereing materials keep up the good work and thank you.

[@MarkRobinson555]

Hi there, thank you for such a kind comment, really pleased you find the videos useful. Just take the build slowly and check and double chek the measurmenrs and I am sure it will be fine, and if you make a mistake its no big deal, balsa si very forgiving to work with so easy to correct. Have you see the videos I did about building from plans? They may help with some of the pitfalls - I will as a link to the first one. Good luck with the build.

[@MarkRobinson555]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/eqfKnZ2rfZ54j8k

[@wrxs1781]

Good video Mark, I use wooden paint stir sticks for sand paper backing. I do not have the steel blocks which I will investigate for future projects. I purchased the Dremel fret type saw and it is to fast causing mistakes.

[@MarkRobinson555]

Hi, thanks for the comment, really good to hear what otheres are doing.

[@ashutoshbhakuni303]

Thanks for the great video! Pls share some details on the building board options

[@MarkRobinson555]

Thank you very much, appreciate the comment. I use a balsa building board that is produced and supplied by SLEC in the UK, which is great to work on 😀

[@user-rx8qq8sk9ydv1ce5ib]

Awesome, Thanks for your video. I am starting my first build of a balsa model (Phoenix Corsair 0.52). Which video would be the best to learn to build (installing the servos, pushrods, mounting the engine, fitting fuel tank and tubes linkage to the glow engine, glueing the hinges, installing the gear, etc.) and how to measure the CG (should I fill the fuel tank first!). Thanks

[@MarkRobinson555]

Thanks for the comment, pleased you liked it. If you watch any of my build series they will help with basic techniques, perhaps the Great Planes Trainer 60. Always do the CG with an empty tank

[@user-rx8qq8sk9ydv1ce5ib]

@@MarkRobinson555 thanks a lot. Very helpful!

[@leesslotcars]

Great video Mark, I’m about to get into this hobby so a trip to Wilco is on the cards, where is the best place to source balsa wood in the UK??

[@MarkRobinson555]

Thanks very much for the kind comment, I always get my wood from Slec, very good service www.slecuk.com/

[@MarkRobinson555]

Another good source for other bits is www.modelshopleeds.co.uk/catalog/index.php?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI19rjw9LA7AIVGO7tCh1RLQk5EAAYASAAEgLpi_D_BwE

[@leesslotcars]

@@MarkRobinson555 fab thanks Mark I’ll check it out

[@ronwebb3242]

I really like the steel blocks and the way you use them but where do you find them? I have tried machine shops and a steel supplier but no luck

[@MarkRobinson555]

The blocks I find so useful, I would be lost without them, I use them for so many different tasks. I had them made from a length of 50x50mm steel bar. Got a local machine shop to cut them to length and mill the ends square. The small blocks are 50mm long, so hence squares, and then I have some that are 100mm long, which is useful somtimes to have the extra weight. Don't know of an alternative to having them made, which is very expensive in some parts of the world, I was lucky enough to get them made where this type of work is relatively cheap. Hope that helps

[@ronwebb3242]

Thanks for Mark. I have gleaned much useful information from your videos but these blocks take the biscuit. They pretty much negate the need for a magnetic or pin building boards and help in so many useful ways. I have not come across this building method before and will keep searching!!

[@mikeross3869]

Thanks Mark, can't be able to find the steel building blocks you are referring to on the internet. I am in USA. Any ideas?

[@MarkRobinson555]

Hi there Mike, they are 50mm square blocks I had made, cut from a length of rod and the ends milled square. An alternative may be the blocks engineers use for setting out, I have picked up a few at car boot sales in the UK, only problem with them is they are not all a consistent size like the ones I had made. As I said I do find them invaluable for building

[@andyonline-zr6bq]

Mark, your videos are great. Just wondered, when using a brush to apply glue, how do you stop pva/aliphatic drying on the bristles - do you keep the brush in a jar of water ? 3:38

[@MarkRobinson555]

Thank you very much, really appreciate the comment, pleased you liked the videos. I always wash out my brushes as soon aa I have finished, only takes a second 😀

[@andyonline-zr6bq]

@@MarkRobinson555 Ah ! Understood, thanks Mark. Looks to be a much more controlled way of applying glue.

[@ronwebb3242]

Hi Mark. What do you use for a building board? My old one, part of a door has warped!!

[@MarkRobinson555]

I use a balsa building board, its made by SLEC in the UK, really nice. I have also used a large piece of dense foam in the past.

[@deetee-uk]

Where would you get steel blocks like that at a reasonable price?

[@MarkRobinson555]

I had these blocks made from a 50mm square steel I picked up at a scrap metal place. I got a machine shop to cut and then mill the ends square. Unfortunately this can be quite an expensive job, I was luck to be in Northern Thailand at the time so the cost was not to bad.

[@alexherrera3918]

can you please suggest what markers are good for balsa? i have used some fine markers and the balsa absorb the ink and i end up with a thick line not very useful. Thanks

[@MarkRobinson555]

Hi, I use a fine leaded propelling pencil with 3B lead, works lovely 😊

[@alexherrera3918]

@@MarkRobinson555 thanks!!

[@jerrygiles1661]

Surprised you didn't begin with a dead flat building surface. Without that, pretty hard to get very far...

[@MarkRobinson555]

I would totally agree, although the emphasis was on the tools, appreciate the comment, as you say a flat building surface is essential

[@jerrygiles1661]

@@MarkRobinson555 full disclosure...I only noticed that because I was searching for ideas on how to make a truly flat and accurate board myself. Thanks for your gracious reply!

[@arthurvanaalst]

Do you use facebook?

[@MarkRobinson555]

I do, but not very much I have a love hate relationship with it, use it just for a few groups etc and keeping in touch with family