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Post by mararra on Nov 18, 2007 2:37:18 GMT 1
As I mentioned in a post on another area of this site, I am in the process of building a Steven's "STIK". You can check it out here: www.stevensaero.com/shop/product.php?productid=19038&cat=254&page=1I have become fairly proficienct at controling my Cub, and would like to progress to a four channel plane with ailerons; and at the same time get into balsa kit building. While I could have done the aileron mod to my SC, I really wanted to move up to a "higher grade" setup. I'm not knockin the Cub mind you, without her I never would have got into this hobby. So, after weeks of research I decided on the STIK; and so far it's proved to be a great choice. The kit is laser cut with a precision that is truly remarkable. The only real building to be done involes the balsa framed wing. It goes together super easily; no cutting or fitting, just put the parts together according to the directions. It's almost fool proof. It took me a couple hours to assemble the wing because I took my time and double checked each piece as I went forward with the assembly. So far this is what I've got:  Probably won't get any more done till after TG. My next step is covering the wing and tail feathers; this will undoubtedly be the most dificult part.  blessings to all, M |
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Post by mararra on Dec 12, 2007 3:42:43 GMT 1
Wow, can't believe it's been over three weeks since I started this build thread. It wasn't all my fault however, been waitin on parts. Anyway I have made considerable progress. As you can see from the photos all the flying surfaces are finished and I'm to the "mechanicals" stage. I'll be installing the control rods and such this week, but it will be a couple more weeks before I get my motor mount. In the meantime, I'm lookin for some help on what I would think is a simple question; so simple it isn't addressed in the equipment manuals. I'm unsure of the orientation of the servo/esc plugs when connecting them to the receiver. There are three wires from the servos: brown,red,orange. My receiver pins are labeled "-","+","servo" (see photo). OK, the red has to be the "+", but is the brown wire the "-" or the "servo"? Hope I'm making my self clear. You can connect the plugs to the receiver with the brown wire up or, flip it 180 degrees with the orange wire up. Which is correct, or does it matter?  M   |
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Post by mararra on Dec 17, 2007 2:19:45 GMT 1
Well, I finished the S Stik today.  It has been a very good learning experience, full of firsts. My first balsa kit, first covering job, first foray into the world of brushless motors, esc's, and first attempt at Tx programming! By far, the easiest part of this build was the actual assembly of the balsa wood structure; the amazing accuracy of the laser cut parts coupled with the self aligning building system made it a no brainer. Covering the flying surfaces was a bit more challenging and much more tedious, buy still not all that dificult. Figuring out how to connect all the electrics took some research and some trial and error. I'm still not sure if I have the Rx and ESC properly programmed; that will have to wait till I get serious about takin her up for the first time. But at least all the servos work the way I expect em to and the motor throttles up when I push the stick forward.  This was a "budget build"; I used the lowest cost components I could find. How well this will work out in the long run is yet to be determined. My total ready for take off cost for the kit and all necessary components (less Tx), was $134.91 plus about $15.00 in shipping charges. All electrics except Rx were purchased from www.unitedhobbies.com/UNITEDHOBBIES/store/uh_index.asp. Soon as I work up the courage to brave the weather I'll see if she flies!  ...not a winter person. Steven's "STIK"  M |
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Post by 05prostock on Dec 17, 2007 3:12:03 GMT 1
I'd like to see a video ;D
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Post by mararra on Dec 18, 2007 0:27:12 GMT 1
OK, if I get a chance to take it up during the next couple a weeks when I got a cameraman (kid home from school), I'll catch the maiden on film. Don't get yur hopes up tho, gotta get the courage to brave the elements.  BTW, 05prostock, you and me is homies! Born there in '48! Left town in '51 ;D M |
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Post by 05prostock on Dec 18, 2007 1:56:25 GMT 1
BTW, 05prostock, you and me is homies! Born there in '48! Left town in '51 ;D M lol ;D Feel free to come back anytime for some super cub madness! |
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Post by rcairplanepilot on Dec 18, 2007 12:38:47 GMT 1
hi, nice looking plane, i almost bought one of those, they where out of stock so i bought a great plains yard stik. its a hoot to fly, the cheapo fuse sucked on it, i replaced it with some aluminum rod, lots better, no flex either. its FUN to fly, but i feel like i payed to much for it,LOL.
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Post by mararra on Dec 19, 2007 0:34:37 GMT 1
Hi there RC, Is the Yard Stik as easy to fly as the Cub? I'll take any pointers ya want to throw my way. I gotta watch the pocket book, three kids in college That's why the experiment with the cheapo parts. We'll see if it was a wise move. I hope to get airborn in the next few days... stay tuned. M |
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Post by mararra on Dec 30, 2007 6:27:03 GMT 1
Well, the hardest part of this build was gettin the maiden video together and uploaded! My computer hard drive crapped out, so I had to put in a new one and reinstall the OS. BUMMER!! Anyway the maiden flight was a hoot, even though it was windy and cold. Here's the video link: www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTs7E97T-nwM |
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Post by mararra on Dec 31, 2007 23:53:06 GMT 1
I have had three more flights on my "STIK". This bird is SMOOOOOTH !  I can't recommend it highly enough as a next step up from the Cub. Very easy transition to aileron flight, and fully capable of basic aerobatics; loops rolls, inverted, etc. It will go like a rocket staight up if you hammer the throttle and will slow down to a crawl at < 1/4 throttle. Rudder control allows for crosswind landings (after some practice). Touch and goes are smooth and even easier than with the Cub. Building the balsa wing, is drop dead easy,... even a cave man can do it. ;D Covering it with Aerolite while not difficult, is a bit tedious, but not overly so. Assembling everything is strait forward and quick. As I've mentioned previously, this was a budget build; I got all my electrical components from www.unitedhobbies.com/UNITEDHOBBIES/store/uh_index.asp., with the exception of the RX. All the components work very well, no problems at all. As for longevity....I'll keep you posted. Anyone needs further info just let me know. M |
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Post by pvtzemerak on Jan 12, 2008 3:33:15 GMT 1
wish i could do that =/
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Post by mararra on Jan 12, 2008 4:33:31 GMT 1
You can!! No kidding the construction is fall off a chair simple. Only tricky part was the covering. It's not really difficult, just tedious. There are video tutorials online that can teach you the techniques; mostly just requires patience and perserverance, no real skill involved for simple basic cover job like the STIK. Check the StevensAero site out for a whole fleet of easy to build planes :http://www.stevensaero.com/shop/home.php?cat=248 keep flyin M |
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...not a winter person.
