Great Planes Tutor Park Flyer Kit- GPMA0002 User Manual
Page 5

❏
Straightedge with scale (HCAR0475)
❏
Cutting mat (HCAR0456)
❏
Masking tape (TOPR8018)
❏
CA Debonder (GPMR6039)
❏
CA Applicator tips (GPMR6033)
❏
Great Planes 5-1/2" [140mm] Bar Sander (GPMR6169)
and 150-grit adhesive back sandpaper (GPMR6183)
❏
Top Flite 320-grit sandpaper (TOPR8030) and 400-
grit sandpaper (TOPR8032)
For the best performance, the Tutor must be built light. One
of the best ways to insure light weight is to build neatly and
make good-fitting glue joints that require less glue. Here are
some tips to help you build neatly and light.
1. The easiest way to cut balsa sticks is with a single-edge
razor blade. To do so, position the stick over the plan, then
place the razor blade on the stick where you wish to cut it.
Press down lightly on the razor blade to make a mark where
the stick is to be cut.
2. Take the stick off the plan and cut it over a cutting mat or
a scrap piece of wood (Okay, if you’re careful you could go
ahead and cut the stick right over the plan, but if you do, you
may cut through the plan protector, allowing the CA to soak
through and glue the structure to the plan).
3. Because of the small balsa sticks used in the tail, small
T-pins may be used to hold the sticks to your building board,
but only where necessary. Use small T-pins (HCAR5100)
or small straight pins found in craft stores. Do not stick pins
into the sticks near the ends, or the wood may split.
4. If you have difficulty with the T-pins splitting the small
sticks, an alternate method is to use the “crossed-pin”
technique. Insert the T-pins into the building board in a
cris-cross fashion to hold the sticks to the plan.
5. Only a small amount of CA should be used to glue the
parts together. Use the included CA applicator tips to control
and pinpoint the amount of CA that comes from the bottle.
When the tip becomes clogged, cut the tip off and continue.
In addition to unnecessary weight, excess CA is difficult to
sand. If you require additional CA tips, order no.
GPMR6033, (qty. 5).
6. When applying CA, be careful to not glue your fingers to
the structure. In the process of unsticking your fingers you
can inadvertently damage the structure, thus requiring
repairs and adding additional weight (not to mention the
aggravation)!
7. Sanding requires a light touch to avoid damage. We
found the best method for sanding is to use light strokes in
the direction of the longest sticks. Be certain the sandpaper
is thoroughly bonded to the bar sander. Lifted edges will
catch the structure, causing damage. Use medium-grit
sandpaper such as 120 or 150.
8. One of the best ways to insure a lightweight model is to
proceed slowly and build neatly. Good glue joints with
minimal adhesive are stronger, lighter and have a better
appearance than poor-fitting joints with too much CA. Of
course, you should take this approach with all of your projects!
9. Work over a flat surface. Cover the plans with Great
Planes Plan Protector (GPMR6167) or wax paper so the
parts will not adhere to the plan.
10. If you would like to remove the charred edges from the
laser cut parts, use a cloth that has been damped with bleach.
IMPORTANT BUILDING NOTES
5