Latest Update Feb 2021
Carbon fibre
Skyshark P4X woven tubes - Wing spars and tail booms
7.54mm OD x 825mm (32.5") - Kites and fun things
7.54mm OD x 825mm (32.5") - Kites and fun things
US$3.50 each. Freight is about US$45 to Aus. These are woven carbon fibre tubes, which are lighter than pulltruded tubes and less prone to splitting. Great for big kite spars also.
6 x 1mm and 3 x 0.5mm CF strip - light weight spars and reinforcing
6 x 1mm and 3 x 0.5mm CF strip - light weight spars and reinforcing
2 to 5mm CF rod and tube - wing tie downs rods and elevator axle
12k CF tow (ribbon of unwoven fibres) - reinforcing and repairs
Rubber bands Size 64 (87 x 6mm) wing tie downs - Officeworks
12k CF tow (ribbon of unwoven fibres) - reinforcing and repairs
Buy a 500g bag, they need frequent replacing. Dont buy the coloured version, they are weaker and fail sooner.
Laminating film and Packing tape
Iron-on document laminating film (covering)
3 mil (75 mic) is the most useful thickness, you can also use 1.7 mil (42.5 mic) for lighter builds. I bought 305mm wide rolls of GBC EZLOAD Lamination film but it may no longer be available
This laminate from Bound to Impress may be suitable but not tried by me 75 micron laminate
Iron-on document laminating film (covering)
3 mil (75 mic) is the most useful thickness, you can also use 1.7 mil (42.5 mic) for lighter builds. I bought 305mm wide rolls of GBC EZLOAD Lamination film but it may no longer be available
This laminate from Bound to Impress may be suitable but not tried by me 75 micron laminate
Scotch heavy duty exterior double sided tape (motor mount, servos) - Bunnings
Norton Bear cloth tape (reinforcing) - Bunnings
Scotch Transparent Tough Tape (joining, reinforcing) - Bunnings
3M Blenderm Tape for hinges - HobbyKing, Medical Supplier
PPS coloured packing tape (covering - 5 pack) - Officeworks
UPDATE: October 2015 - Looks like this coloured packing tape is no longer available at Officeworks. Need to buy Hobby King covering tape or Ebay from now on.
UPDATE: Jan 2016 - KMart now sells coloured packing tape (Thanks Joe)
UPDATE: Jan 2016 - KMart now sells coloured packing tape (Thanks Joe)
This is my favourite reinforcing tape but it's more expensive. Strong holding, flexible and lighter than cloth tape. Used to join wings, hold landing gear on and to reinforce control horns and hinges. Use cheaper Bear cloth tape where weight and strength are not as crucial.
Glue
Hot glue gun - Crescent 60W Bunnings and this 12V battery one from Hobby KingBrown Gorilla Glue
Accent Polyeurethane Glue - Mitre 10
Z-Poxy Epoxy finishing resin - ebay and Tates Hobbies Geelong
Foam Safe CA - Hobby King
Thread locker (Blue = releasable) for motor bolts - Supercheap Auto
Foamboard
If you cant get Flite Test or Adams foam board (only available in US), then depron is the best alternative.
If you cant get Flite Test or Adams foam board (only available in US), then depron is the best alternative.
Depron - Depron Australia
Genuine depron is stiffer and stronger than other uncovered foamboards.
Beware - Paper-covered foam boards in Australia, like Quill from Officeworks, are much heavier and way more expensive than Dollar Tree foam board used by Experimental Airlines and Flite Test. Dollar Tree foam board is not sold in Aus so I use depron with tape or laminate covering. Depron is waterproof and lighter and much more durable than paper covered foam board.
Hot wire cutting bits
Knauf XPS insulation foam 30mm and 50mm thick - Bunnings
Hotwire wire - 40kg (90lb) single strand SS fishing wire
Template aluminium - 0.3mm Weatherflash window flashing
Knauf XPS insulation foam 30mm and 50mm thick - Bunnings
Hotwire wire - 40kg (90lb) single strand SS fishing wire
Template aluminium - 0.3mm Weatherflash window flashing
Bits and pieces
Blank ID cards - Search Ebay for CR80 blank ID cardsDuPont connectors useful when you need more or less pins than three (servo style connector kit) - Search Ebay
