Tips & Tricks
Sandblaster
Sandpaper and Foam Sanding Blocks
There has been some recent
discussion on SAM Talk about the merits of a 3M
product called Sandblaster Sandpaper. It’s available
at Sherwin Williams Paint Stores and at Home Depot,
and is supposedly superior to all other forms of
sandpaper. It doesn’t like getting wet or high
humidity—not usually a problem in Southern
California. But it’s said to last for a long time
and cut very well.
The SAM Talkers had another tip
about a source for sanding blocks. Apparently paint
and dry wall stores carry white foam sanding blocks
that are about a foot long and two- or three- inches
wide. The back of the block is molded in a curved
shape to fit your hand. The large block would be
just the ticket for sanding an old timer wings, and
the foam backer wouldn’t tend to dig in. Of course
you can chop that foam block up into just about any
shape you want for smaller sanding blocks.
—From the Southern
California Ignition Flyers newsletter
Tail Weight
During the process of building
your next masterpiece, it may become apparent that
tail weight is required. Lead weight for fishing
lines is available at most sporting goods stores in
the form of round (about 1/8-inch diameter) strips,
several inches long. The strip lead is easy to cut
up and embedded in the model during construction.
For example, strips of lead inserted under the
triangle stock can be used to reinforce the fin or
stabilizer on most model designs. It can also be
inserted into wing tips to provide lateral balance.
—From the Concord Skyhawks,
reprinted in Schoolcraft Skyhawks R/C Airplane Club
newsletter | 
