New builder observations and comments

[TSR]

These questions and comments are not meant to be mean spirited in any way, I thought maybe I'd get some questions answered as well as helping to construct newer manuals.
Airfoillz/3DX Hobbies are great people with great products.

Received my 540 kit and was a bit overwhelmed but figured what the heck, how hard could it be.
First issue missing parts, no vertical stabilizer and no wheel collars, bummer but 3DX were very nice and sent parts right away.

Wing panel alignment tabs were not precut, they were just two loose odd size pieces of styro thrown in a bag, I wasn't quite sure what they were at first, I assumed they were the alignment tabs and cut them to size and used them as such.

The videos were a great help, if there was one for installing ailerons and engine (installing prop, mounting engine parts ect) it would be cool.

The holes in the control horns are tiny and need to be drilled out in order for clevis to fit (not something I knew), as a new builder choosing which holes to drill out is confusing, I just picked the closest to the middle, hope that's ok.

Engine mounting, there were no screws supplied to attach the motor to the firewall/motor mount, maybe this is normal with all kits I really don't know. I will head to the hardware store and see if I can find some.

Velcro battery strap not supplied, not a big deal just curious.

The motor has no real instructions so as a newbie you're left to wonder what the extra shafts are for? Why you get four screws for the mounting plate that mounts to the back of the motor yet only two screw holes are tapped? How the prop fits correctly? (I press fit one of the plastic collars on using the prop nut and washer)

Any answers would be appreciated.
Thanks

[Jimv]

<Wing panel alignment tabs were not precut, they were just two loose odd size pieces of styro thrown in a bag, I wasn't quite sure what they were at first, I assumed they were the alignment tabs and cut them to size and used them as such.>

The material for the alignment tabs should be 2 pieces of 3 mil depron approximately 1 x 4 inches. These same pieces are included in all the kits. The exact size of the tabs is not critical. Just cut them to size.

<The holes in the control horns are tiny and need to be drilled out in order for clevis to fit (not something I knew), as a new builder choosing which holes to drill out is confusing, I just picked the closest to the middle, hope that's ok.>

The pushrods are designed to have the clevis attached to the servo arm, not the control horn. When the pushrods are assembled, the 1/32" wire at the control horn end should fit perfectly into the control horn.

<Engine mounting, there were no screws supplied to attach the motor to the firewall/motor mount, maybe this is normal with all kits I really don't know. I will head to the hardware store and see if I can find some>

Motor mounting screws are not provided as there is a lot of personal preference on what screws to use. I use #2, 7/16" long socket head servo screws.

<Velcro battery strap not supplied, not a big deal just curious.>

Also personal choice.

<The motor has no real instructions so as a newbie you're left to wonder what the extra shafts are for?>

Extra shafts are included in case you bend one. They are replaceable.

<Why you get four screws for the mounting plate that mounts to the back of the motor yet only two screw holes are tapped?>

All 4 holes should be tapped. You may need to rotate the mount 90 degrees to allow all 4 holes to line up.

< How the prop fits correctly? (I press fit one of the plastic collars on using the prop nut and washer)>

The plastic insert (collar) is used to make sure that the prop is properly centered on the prop adapter. Sometimes the hole in the insert needs to be slightly enlarged so it slips on the prop adapted easily.

[TSR]

Awesome, thanks very much Jim.
Btw.
I called Hacker and concluded that two holes had been missed in the tapping process, I found a tap that fit and tapped the other holes.

[Jimv]

Awesome, thanks very much Jim.
Btw.
I called Hacker and concluded that two holes had been missed in the tapping process, I found a tap that fit and tapped the other holes.

New saw that before. Nice recovery with the tapping! You are on your way to becoming a master builder.

[TSR]

I don't know about Master builder but I learned a heck of a lot and only managed to glue my fingers together once (which makes it tough to type):)