Fragile elevator attachment.

[wjkunert]

I wish manufacturers of model aircraft would provide a stronger method of attaching the elevator to the aircraft than the small plastic pin Tamiya and others use. I don't know how many elevators I've broken off with a careless bump. Zoukei Mura uses a nice sized tab on their 1/48 F 4 that positively locates the elevator with the proper anhedral and won't easily snap off. I've also learned that the very last piece you attach is the pitot tube.

[Stikpusher]

Yes and yes.

A good substitute for the pins is to drill it out with a pin vise and then use a brass rod for a stronger and more positive attachment point.

[Medicman71]

But I can never get a straight hole when I drill into a plastic piece.

[wjkunert]

What he said

[RexCag]

I don't do drilling freehand anymore. I always seemed to have the problem with either holes being off on the alignment, or the wholes allowing a wobble attachment.

Backyard engineer some sort of jig for the parts and the drill. Even if you are using a pin-vice as your drilling tool, you can think of some sort of method to hold it steady and straight, and then do the drilling.

I drilled out Lego blocks as my drilling tool holder, and use Legos, sometimes with straps, to hold parts.

Then you just align everything, check it twice, and drill away.

Heck, you can even Superglue a part to a Lego block, do your work, and then use De-bonder to release the part. That is the only way I have come up with to do things like drilling a MER for bomb attachment pins.

Moms and Grandmas give me some pretty strange looks while I check out Lego sets to see what blocks they come with,,,,,,,,but, if I can go into Sally Beauty to get make-up sponges,,,,,I can weather the strange looks.

[Stikpusher]

Rex, you are truly secure in your manhood.

[speedgraflex]

Good ideas with Legos as supports! I will add with a rueful chuckle that when I started model building I went to the local hardware store to buy supplies, and was aware of odd looks by the store owner. He came up to me and asked, "What exactly are you doing with that?" (I was holding paint, glue, wire, etc.) I was taken aback and responded, "Um... building something?" My reply increased his anxiety, I believe he thought the something could be a... bomb? Of course I am exaggerating everything, but am I? I paid and walked out thinking, "Everything is going to be an online purchase from here on out!"

[Stikpusher]

Well the glue and paint should have been a clue to the shopkeeper...

[Thomas_M]

Bruce, you should also have asked him for a battery and a cheap mobile phone. Ask him how to connect those for the "lights" go on!