Dear Friends ,

I am Tausif based out of Bangalore. A complete noob in rc,   have been reading quite a bit on this fantastic forum & have basic theoritical knowledge to understand what some the experienced forum members talk about

So, I have decided take the plunge and rather than buying an ARF or RTF kit , i would like to scratch build my first plane. so wondering if people could answer these questions

1)  I would like to know if there are folks who have bought Rx/Tx & other electronics from sites such hobbyking.com & have found it to be cost effective including postage
2) Many design plans indicate a specific mm foam to be used (eg: 6mm depron). What happens if I have a 8mm depron. Does it mean the plane can't be designed using the 8mm sheet? What do folks do in such situations ?

Many thanks.
Tausif

Hi and welcome on rc..india...about your question,go ahead for 8mm wil nt make any difference...and yes you cn by the things the store you can check the sites or the rc outlets and reseller link.regards

welcome tausif,

 foam weight is not going to be a problem ........ u can even use EPS foam from a general store...... as dapron wud be abt 6 to 10 times cheaper.....
nyways..... considering buying 2.4 Ghz from HK is not gud idea...... lot of custom issues.....actually even any Tx cud be grabbed by customs..... actually tey just dont wan to understand the difference....

i just ordered a Turnigy 9x tx........ it is supposed to go to singapore from where my sister i gonna smuggle it for me..........
 
 and as i ws typing this stuff my sis ringed me tat the Tx just was just delivered ..... nw she's gonna cary it back to india .......
morel .... get ur Tx from indian stores or hav ur reletives carry it........ rest of the stuff is OK...... can be imported

1) Yes, as others said buying radio systems from abroad (over post) is risky. But opinions vary. Some people have managed to import radios.
But the best idea is to buy from local Hobby Shops (LHSs).
Look up www.rcindia.org/rc-outlets-and-resellers/mega-list-of-all-rc-outlets-in-india/
Next time when you go to Jayanagar do visit RcBazaar.
You can buy other electronics but ensure the declared parcel value is not more than $100 to be safe.

2) I don't know.

Sameer  -thanks on the info about not getting Tx through air package. I usually have a collgeagues who keep travelling abroad. So i can ask them to get it. & btw congrats on your turnigy 9x, hope you get it soon. I think I am going to pick the same one as well
The only thing I need to figure out is where do I get foam in Bangalore .

Happy Flying mate!

hyd_quads - Thanks for your response. I ll definitely check out rcbazaar in jayanagar. Never knew they had outlet there. But they do seem pricey. ANy chance you even know where to buy foam in Bangalore? I checked a few threads which had some phone nos but seems those numbers are not active.

 

what foam u r thinking of: EPS / EPP / dapron??

You are doing the right thing.  The road may not be easy, but it is sure the right and fun one.

Experiment with locally available materials.  People have used every type of foam available (including ordinary thermocol), you will have to adapt your building methods to the type of foam (how you cut/shape it, how much reinforcement is needed etc).  Since you are taking the hard road, be prepared for some pain in the beginning, and absolute bliss towards the end

hi, welcome to rcindia . u can buy the foam in BDA complex koramangala. or from the stationary shop opposite christ college . i dont know what type of foam exactly it is but its like the one rcbazaar sells, maybe depron .  i use it for architecture.
rcbazaar has the lowest prices in india on most products than others (do visit it once).

Sameer - I havent finalised on any foam.

Anwar - Thanks. Yes, I am sure it will be frustrating at first but somehow more than flying a plane I am more interested in building one. Right now , I jsut want to see if am able to build one so I might even start off with a baisc thermocol or if I can find some  cheap n tikaoo foam.

Pravesh - wow thanks for that tip that you can get it from the BDA complex in Koramangala. It falls on my way to work. I will give it a shot.

Could you folks also please tell me what tools I should have ready with me before I start off with a build? Just want to make sure I have not forgotten anything.

THanks,
Tausif

But their after-sales support is VERY good. 

get a hot glue gun ........ can have it from ebay just at 246 (inclusive of shipping)..... very nice for foamy....... u dont have to wait to see results...

hot wire foam cutter........ prepare it urself (youtube will help)

sandpaper.... clean ur edges

if u realy want to keep things cheap........with hot  foam wire cutter.........

here's my plan...

http://www.rcindia.org/tools-materials-and-building-techniques/hot-wire-foam-cutter-build-help/msg119624/#msg119624

 

These are very much available locally... why wait for shipping etc.

in a hardware shop??..... i never thought over tat

Thanks Guys. that is helpful. Will look around this weekend for all the things you have mentioned. if i dont , i guess i ll buy it on ebay.