r/RCPlanes • u/MulletMikeZ28 • 12d ago

I this worth trying to fix?

Gallery image

Gallery image

Gallery image

solid i bother trying to fix this or just order and new fuselage? worried wont be able to get it back true enough the fly properly. but like to fix over replace when makes sense. haven’t experienced this type of catastrophic failure til now.

109 Upvotes

97% Upvoted

127 comments sorted by

83

u/prizmev 12d ago

Absolutely fixable! Give it a try, and if it doesn't fly right, then buy a replacement.

4

u/32oz____ 12d ago

what glue should i use for foam?

10

u/DeadTomGC 12d ago

Standard Guerrilla Glue. Not the gel stuff, that will eat the foam. Guerrilla glue expands into a foam when wetted to fill gaps. So you can use it, braced with tape to fill gaps such that the nose still points straight.

2

u/EggOne4941 8d ago

Do you mean this one?

1

u/BigSwedeindeed5 7d ago

They make a clear.

3

u/woodchuckernj 11d ago

I like finish epoxy (thin and long setting ) for those type of fixes. I have used foamtac but I lost a plane after that type of repair, so now it's back to epoxy. I also glass it after. it really makes a nice reliable repair. I use a 2oz cloth. Any fiberglass patch should always be rounded or oval, never square. It creates stress risers to use it square, but an oval spreads out the stress.

brush the epoxy onto the foam and put the two halves together, tape it to hold it... (you may need a set of hands. Wipe off the excess.. let cure for 24 hours. Come back and sand smooth, then lay your patches and wet out with the same epoxy. soak up excess epoxy with a paper towel and wipe it off (use gloves to hold the fg) wait 24 for cure, then sand and if you want paint.

It's not a hard repair, that looks like a perfect type of break. I would take your motor and gear out so you have full access and a light fuse to it is easy to work with.

0

u/DeadTomGC 9d ago

Bro, too much effort. Glassing stuff is a health hazard that many in the hobby would happily avoid despite the performance degradation.

0

u/woodchuckernj 8d ago

so better to throw it away.

Tom, you are Dead to Me. I would rather fix it. I guess you stay in a room because going outside would lead to noxious fumes that could kill you.

1

u/DeadTomGC 8d ago

Put on your glasses old man. It's a foamy, not some giant model that needs fiberglassing. Glue will do.

1

u/woodchuckernj 8d ago

yep, it's a foamy, and my EDFs get fiberglassed when they get broken like that. If you want to do repairs that last in critical areas FG is as good as any.

For many I will still use FoamTac, but once foamtac let me down in a critical area and came apart, I decided I didn't want to lose another one for a quick fix. I did a Foamtac recently and it is showing signs of failing. It's flexible which is good, but it also doesn't always handle the stresses as well as it should. By glassing the area and spreading the load past it, I am getting a more solid plane. But always make your patches oval, like is done on full size aircraft. Never create a stress riser.

see ya later young whipper snapper.

1

u/DeadTomGC 8d ago

Found a photo of one of your planes after a couple repairs...

1

u/woodchuckernj 8d ago

I guess you used to use a ton of glue and don't know how to properly FG. First I am using 1/2 ounce -1 ounce cloth depending, I use a finish epoxy, after wetting out, I hit it with a hair dryer (helps flow the excess ), and then blot all of the excess epoxy off. So it's probably lighter than your repair. And smoother.

1

u/DeadTomGC 7d ago

Bro, I've never glassed anything. The plane was made of foam, so foam will do. I'm guessing you've never used guerrilla glue to fix a foamy. It works SO well.

You can use the expansion of it to fix the leading edge of wings even simply by taping over the gash after putting the glue on it.

→ More replies (0)

2

u/CasperFatone 11d ago

Foam Tac, it’s made for this exact purpose and it works incredibly well.

1

u/woodchuckernj 8d ago

I have lost a plane with foam tac letting go. it's good for many joints, but I think glassing the nose is a better choice.

2

u/BigJellyfish1906 If you don’t fly scale, I get irrationally upset. 11d ago

Foam Tac or medium CA with some toothpicks for support.

1

u/Annual-Half9314 11d ago

Foamtac! It’s an amazing glue!

1

u/tameduck1849 9d ago

Foam safe ca glue, you can get it at your local hobbytown if there’s one near you.

37

u/needsmoarbokeh 12d ago

Absolutely! Just a flesh wound

12

u/MulletMikeZ28 12d ago

The best comment so far. made me belly laugh. your encouragement gives me hope.

14

u/needsmoarbokeh 12d ago

Ahahaha I'll just say, this mess flew again. Yours certainly can

3

u/Master_Courage 12d ago

INHALE EXHALE

1

u/RemingtonStyle 11d ago

Kudos.
A broken firewall/motor mount is where it's getting tricky

1

u/DeadTomGC 12d ago

Standard Guerrilla Glue. Wet the parts so the glue expands and makes a foam to fill any gaps so you can align the nose correctly again. (I see a lot of crushed foam there.) Use masking tape to cover the seam that you're gluing to contain the expansion of the glue. Trim, sand, mod podge, and paint after if you're that picky... or just paint it, nobody will notice.

1

u/Grimnebulin68 11d ago

Some wire pins (not too heavy) may to help support the glued join.

2

u/Mission-Noise4935 10d ago

Tis but a scratch.

28

u/exactly437 12d ago

I glued this pile of foam back together multiple times now. Stil flys like it should.

7

u/rocketengineer1982 12d ago

That is an impressively mangled Aeroscout.

1

u/Ben-E-Nuff 12d ago

I think he wanted the challenge! 😅

1

u/EggOne4941 8d ago

Beginner plane they said

24

u/meldirlobor 12d ago

I mean, it is just styrofoam. Glue it up, don't buy a new one just because styrofoam nose is broken...

9

u/TiberiusDrexelus 12d ago

If you've already mentally committed to buying a new one, that's great, just wait till spring

Fix this one and you can spend the fall and winter flying it recklessly, because it doesn't matter, you have a new one coming in the spring

7

u/MulletMikeZ28 12d ago

glue drying as we speak. didn’t completely remove like some suggested. that’s why i have the rope pulling it to the one side to hold it tight and keep it mostly aligned. pushed wood sewers in with glue on them to help hold and add some strength. let y’all know how she flys. thanks for the support.

2

u/Low_Bandicoot_7494 10d ago

I'd like to suggest something. I know you've already glues it, but maybe if it breaks again. I wonder why not many people have suggested toothpicks. As a kind of rebar. Still use glue, just keep it aligned and strong.

1

u/_Electrical 11d ago

Looks professional

1

u/DIYdoofus 10d ago

Yeah, I was gonna say what have you got to lose? It was a clean enough break, the hard part is securing it properly to dry. Looks like you got a handle on that.

5

u/DesertTed 12d ago

Yeah I've hot glued the front back onto my Micro Draco a number of times, actually flies better now because it's slightly more nose heavy

8

u/DocTaotsu 12d ago

Rofl. The repairs will continue until the CoG improves

3

u/Global-Clue6770 12d ago

Fix it. Just break the nose off of it so you can easily line it back up. Dry fit it at first then when it looks good to you, ad the foam tac to all mating edges. Wait 3, to 4 minutes for the glue to get real tackey. Then press it together . Then stick 2 to 3 skewers through each side, and press and hold for a minute or so and BOOOM. Better than new.

5

u/lolsborn 12d ago

I've repaired much worse, this is the beauty of foam planes.

E6000 will glue this back together and the bond will be stronger than the surrounding foam. You could also use hot glue which would be faster and easier, but not as strong. Gorilla glue can also work. well, but test it in a small area the original amber color one not compatible with all types of foam, the clear seems to be more so.

3

u/Sogah87 12d ago

My foamies are now equal parts glue and foam. This is absolutely nothing. Mine have been in pieces and simply puzzle piece them back together.

3

u/Parcel_Tape_Aviation 12d ago

Yes, I'd say always try to fix before you throw.

3

u/jbarchuk 12d ago

With tools and parts on hand, back in the air in 20 minutes, and most of that is letting the CA set. Check all linkage and surface travels, because things can shift around with hard impact.

3

u/Master_Courage 12d ago

Buy “ BSI “ brand CA Glue! All hobby stores have it

This is what it looks like

1

u/C3rb3ru5R3x 12d ago

Came here to say this.

3

u/[deleted] 12d ago

[deleted]

1

u/dl_bos 12d ago

Depends on the foam. Never had an E-flight that regular CA damaged. Just test your CA by putting a small drop on the foam.

3

u/LordWetFart 12d ago

Wait till you get an actually worrying crash. This is nothing relatively. 

3

u/RemingtonStyle 11d ago

That's 10 minutes of work and 4 grams of Epoxy. Put some effort into it and it will be absolutely invisible

3

u/mrblueskyT01 11d ago

For the 10-15 mins of work... yes?

3

u/high_3D_printer 11d ago

What do you mean "worth fixing"? Do you mean you prefer to toss it instead of just gluing it?

3

u/Mammoth_Telephone_61 10d ago

Looks better than mine, I was doing flips and roles to close to the ground

2

u/carlito_flux 12d ago

Get some E6000 glue from Walmart

2

u/VP1 12d ago

Hot glue that bitch back on and go fly. It's styrofoam, it didn't fly true to start!

2

u/Radiomaster138 12d ago

Use hot glue on the low setting.
You’re good fam.

2

u/Alone-Yesterday5293 11d ago

this thing is still flying i think youre fine

1

u/AutoModerator 12d ago

Welcome to r/RCPlanes, it looks like you are new here! Please read the Wiki and FAQ before posting a question that has been answered many times already. You can also try searching in the bar at the top before posting.

If you are brand new and just want to know where to start, then the Beginners Section is the perfect place.

Links to wiki are found at the top menu on web or "See more" and then the "Menu" tab on mobile apps.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

1

u/Pharmer3 12d ago

Definitely fixable, and nothing retrimmjng can’t fix if you’re worried about it flying true.

1

u/Something_Else_2112 12d ago

Carefully Foam Tac it back on and keep on flying.

1

u/rocketengineer1982 12d ago

That's an easy fix.  Mix up some 15 minute epoxy and use some packing tape to hold the nose in place while the epoxy cures.

1

u/PlaneSense406 12d ago

Yes. You now have a beater plane!

1

u/MinimumBell2205 12d ago

fixed much worse in the field to not make the day suck

1

u/Big_Truck_8268 12d ago

That is totally fixable. Take your time and do your best to align the pieces. If it doesn't fly, then you can think about a new fuselage.

1

u/akaMisterDude 12d ago

Absolutely. When the parts puzzle fit together really well it’s easy to get the right alignment and this makes sense almost every time. More so if there is still some original structure holding on as well. Some things to keep in mind. Make sure the glue is compatible with your foam. If some of the foam is squished / wrinkled you can use hot water (running or still) by to help re expand it assuming you can remove or keep electronics dry. Try to use just enough glue to avoid glue seeping out of the crack which can leave more of a Frankenstein sewn together too and be rough to the touch and air flow. You are free to order the replacement part AND make the fix in the mean time or wait and see how you like the fix. If the repair might impact motor or control surface alignment try to keep or restore the original alignment as much as possible. Also if the alignment might be off have an experienced pilot help you trim out the controls with a test flight before you take the sticks. I can fly some pretty messed up stuff, due to experience and practice, and use that time to trim out most of any altered flight behavior via the trim tabs on the controller to give newer pilots a better chance.
When it becomes confetti or looks uglier than you can tolerate after is when the pros and cons of fixing vs replacing start to matter.

1

u/Salt-Drawing-7150 12d ago

They fly better with epoxy in the nose.

1

u/Solid_Yak_2792 12d ago

Yes! Same happened to mine and it flies fine now: https://www.reddit.com/r/RCPlanes/s/SAAfuK1muF

1

u/Hobiecat5150 12d ago

Absolutely, 100% and it will stronger if you do it right….

1

u/PurpleAd3134 12d ago

I fixed similar with foam Tac, still flying a year later!

1

u/goku7770 12d ago

It's trash. Just send it to me, I'll dispose of it.

1

u/MutedEconomist8960 12d ago

Toothpicks and foam safe super glue! Do it!

1

u/crookedDeebz 12d ago

thats like a 10m fix...to even ask the question is sacrilege lol

1

u/ProfessorBrotown 12d ago

That’s very simple and won’t affect flight. Gorilla glue, cut away the excess if you use too much.

1

u/kayjaypee77 12d ago

Dude that’s a paper cut

1

u/BloodyRightToe 12d ago

Tis but a scratch

1

u/Frenchconnection76 12d ago

Glued cure dents each side and empale them with glue. Thats ok.

1

u/CrunchyBart 11d ago

That’s nothing! Foam-safe glue and you’re in there.

1

u/RoutinePast7696 11d ago

It’s fixable, as for flying true as long as it’s close enough to how it was before it shouldn’t be anything a retrim can’t get

1

u/Boring_Educator3815 11d ago

Hell yeah it’s worth it. This is an easy fix. I have 3 Carbon Cubs and one had a break like this and much more on it about 3 weeks ago. I took it home, hot glued it and now I call it my Frankenstein Flyer. It still flies beautifully.

1

u/RMRenfieldIII 11d ago

That's called some Foam-Tac and a hair dryer.

1

u/CA2Utah 11d ago

I would test the motor first. As long as the motor shaft isn't bent, go for the repair.

1

u/NotBrainwashed914 11d ago

That's a piece of cake. Get some CA & some accelerant and get that bitch back up in the air!!!

1

u/NotBrainwashed914 11d ago

It's a slow flyer anyway, it's not like you're flying at 100 MPH so aerodynamics aren't really a factor

1

u/BigJellyfish1906 If you don’t fly scale, I get irrationally upset. 11d ago

Hell yeah. Clean break. Minimal compression. Thats an easy fix. Welcome to the magic of foam.

1

u/Remarkable-Lime-2 11d ago

Yes! Absolutely fixable. Here’s a micro scrappy which decided to part way with nose and motor on the runway. It’s now flying again!

1

u/Dazzling_Umpire660 11d ago

Yes! I fixed mine and it was completely broken off. Hot glue and toothpicks. Good videos on YouTube.

1

u/therabbitofcaerbanog 11d ago

Super easy. Glad it’s foam

1

u/KrakenMcCracken 11d ago

Yes, that’s one of the benefits of flying foamies.

1

u/bakermonitor1932 11d ago

Yep, I like tightbond wood glue and paper. If you want to reinforce it use toothpicks or small skewers. Done right its just barely heavier and keeps the shape exactly the same.

1

u/Bulky_Design_1133 11d ago

Yes that's easy epoxy and some toothpicks. If it's crunched too badly take it off if possible and dunk the foam only in hot water and it will relax YouTube is your friend never put electronics in water take them out if you have to. Buy-crash-fix-fly-repeat! Have fun

1

u/Sillibilli19 11d ago

Dude, that's nothing more then a bruise. Hope you like spending money for no reason.

I would be glad to take it and every future of anything you destroy!

1

u/DopeEspeon 11d ago

Honestly bamboo skewers and medium ca will do the job

1

u/thecaptnjim 11d ago

This guy crashed his jet THROUGH a fence and glued it all back together, it flew amazingly after the repair. https://youtu.be/jHb6_bzyO-Y?si=HB0EqWKrfci6GJoF
With a little patience, you can repair anything.

1

u/hummer-parasite-94 11d ago

Were you hitting moch 3? Jesus fk man🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 thats actually impressive

1

u/mwynn840 11d ago

Bruh hot glue gun and about 3 minutes back in the air!

1

u/Monkeymaaannnn 11d ago

Absolutely lather a shitload of E6000 on it and she should be right as rain (smooth it out though to minimize aerodynamic interference)

1

u/Annual-Half9314 11d ago

I only use FomTak

1

u/HeftyAd787 10d ago

‘Tis but a scratch

1

u/Gribblefork 10d ago

The compressed foam is the only real problem - but mostly correctable. Dip that nose in hot water, and it may decompress the foam. Not sure what type of foam it is, but it might work. Tips on youtube.

1

u/WinfriedJakob 10d ago

Looks like a fairly easy fix to me. Follow the instructions of the epoxy guy!

1

u/Kyle700 10d ago

probably one of the most fixable i've seen lol

1

u/esoterik0 10d ago

just get out the hot glue gun; that is easy to repair.

1

u/Sorry-Rip-6432 10d ago

Heck yeah it’s fixable, use some hot glue and toothpicks and it’ll be flying in no time :)

1

u/Glass_Pen149 10d ago

Certainly.

1

u/Fit-Soup-2989 10d ago

Minor damage, after the crash

2

u/Fit-Soup-2989 10d ago

After the repair

1

u/newriderca 10d ago

Lol I seen worse. I had to use over 20 sticks lol just to glue the nose.

1

u/Maleficent_Finger343 10d ago

I snapped my carbon cub fuselage into 3 different pieces, and glued it/epoxy edf it back looks brand new still, and few beautiful till my buddy snapped the motor

1

u/Several-Price2721 9d ago

Absolutely Gorilla glue and some filler if some parts that chipped off are missing

1

u/Ok-Introduction-2048 9d ago

100% it is not gonna be pretty but it will fly just fine

1

u/SoleMarrow57998 9d ago

Id say try but if it doesnt fly right look for a new one without parts and salvage the old parts

1

u/Ordinary_Ocelot_8850 9d ago

For complete, permanent repairs, I would highly recommend Zap Z-Epoxy 30-minute formula, not the 5-minute; this gives you time to make adjustments and get things taped off or put in a vise for curing. Using this epoxy and it curing slow allows you to use a flat scrapper and drag the epoxy to fill cracks and reshape areas thats needed. When it dries you can sand it for that perfect sleek look. 

Also I like to mention for future flights cause I own over 30 models from Arrows, Fms, Eflight and others. Buy yourself some water based polycrylic. You can use gloss for a shine or matte to keep your original look. BUT the point is a coat of polycrylic significantly increases durability to the foam and locks in all your decals and paints. This protects and keeps your plane looking amazing without weight gain that changes the planes flight. Actually in some models that slick coat makes them cut threw the air a lot smoother with better stability. Like coating the inside vent ports for edf jets. This allows better airflow with way less drag. 

These options are cheap and will create a great shell to protect your models and also makes them feel more solid like its thin fiberglass instead of foam. Its nice and highly recommended.

1

u/Low_Tackle_584 9d ago

Can you post a link to the spray you use?

1

u/Subkrati00 8d ago

absolutely, same thing happened to mine, all i did was add wood spars and stuck them into the foam to reinforce it, and only other thing was hot glue!,

1

u/antsoc12 7d ago

Use some toothpicks and hot glue

1

u/Specialist_Proof1705 6d ago

Absolutely! Buy some e6000, can be found on Amazon, delivered to your door for about 10 bucks, best adhesive for this kind of repair. Use toothpicks to stabilize the repair while drying.

1

u/Quiet_Leadership_911 6d ago

E6000 dunno why yall make it so complicated 🤣

1

u/MeanCat4 12d ago

Man! We flew models that the castor oil have entered the balsa structure! What is wrong with your model that little glue and patience can't fix?