Custom R/C Airplane Building Service

Custom Building Service

Currently Reserved Build Schedule

Planes For Sale

Select the plans you want from the link above, that's the fun part! Have them scanned, and scaled to the size you want. I will cut parts, and custom build from your plans rib and fuselage templates. I can make the cowl, canopy frame, and wheel pants from thin birch-ply, lite-ply, and balsa. I fine sand, dope with Balsa-rite, fine sand again, and cover with film, or fabric.

Email the plansplotter@yahoo.com to have your plans scanned, scaled to the size you want, and printed. He can also scale plans in PDF file format, which can be emailed, and print them. I need the plans to have rib and fuselage former templates so I can cut parts.

I try to build all planes like they were mine. I take pride in my work. I'll do it over until it's right. Also, I like to stay busy, and building relaxes me. I charge $100 a week, or $400 a month. I spend at least hour a day on your plane. That's minimum wage for an experienced builder! I bill on the 25th of the month, and there is a 10% late fee after the end of the month.

PayPal or mail a $50 check to reserve a build slot to davidgates@fourway.net. I have three build areas I use at the same time. The $50 is refunded when the first materials bill is calculated. Reserving a build slot puts you on the email picture list immediately for all three tables.

I email pictures, usually every 5 days, 5th,10th,15th,20th,25th, 30th, or last day of the month, showing building progress. Any questions you have or suggestions can be emailed to me.

Estimates are free, just email davidgates@fourway.net. I give estimates that are usually with in a month or two. I work on a time and materials basis. Estimates are just that, estimates, but they are free :-} This allows you to change the scope of the work during the build.

Most large planes take 8 to 10 months to build to the point they are ready to cover. 2 more months to finish. I bill each month for labor , and materials. Special planes and adding goodies can take longer. I like to add a lot of hatches held on with strong magnets for access and maintenance. Also, instead of wing tubes I use Birch between the bass front and rear spars to make wings removable. Also, I add two bolts per removable wing section, and magnetic hatches underneath. This is stronger than metal wing tubes, and cheaper.

I stock most accessories and will bill you on the 10th of the month for materials used. If I don't stock it, you can order it and have it shipped to me, or pay me to do so. Material prices are from Tower Hobbies, Heads Up R/C, Balsa USA, Ace Hardware, or Wal-Mart. If I build from plans, I will need $300 for initial materials like wood and glue. The $300 is credited to you. You will only be charged for what is used on your plane. I will bill you monthly on the 25th of each month for labor.

Save money by letting me cut parts from plan templates. Laser cut short kits are expensive. I can cut ribs and formers in less than a week which is $100 labor. This has the advantage of changing spar locations to make wings removable, and other design improvements. Also, I will select the best wood for the situation.

I replace balsa spars with bass for strength. Extra birch plywood and light plywood are used in addition to plans, for bracing critical areas like landing gear, wing mounts etc. Four nylon or metal bolts are used to mount wings to the fuselage. Bass triangle bracing is used around firewalls. CA glues and 30 minute epoxy are used for gluing parts. Balsa structures such as a wing, stab, rudder, or fuselage are fitted together, tack glued with thin CA, and later glued again with thick CA.

If you need your plane finished. I will give you an estimate. 4 months is usually enough to medium sand, BalsaRite, fine sand, covering, and trimming the entire plane with Ultracote or Coverite fabric.

Local pickup is in Kewanna Indiana, 46939, which is in the northern part of the state. See the Map to MATO on our home page.

Shipping charges depend on where you live and number of crates. I build large cardboard sided crates for $125 in materials plus a week of my time. uShip.com is a "less than a load" shipping web site where you can take bids on shipping. It may take a few weeks before the shipper is going your way. Maybe you have seen Shipping Wars on TV. uShip.com is around $300 per 1000 miles for door to door cross country service. Insurance is extra depending on value. I have shipped from Indiana to California for $400, but it takes a month to find a ride. We are looking for Special Handling, no truck changes, and no forklifts! I offer to do this for you as a courtesy, and so far it has worked well. Ultimately, the plane's owner is responsible for pickup from my shop, and shipping.

References available on request, if you have any questions, or need a quote email davidgates@fourway.net