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How to Build RC Floats

Flying remote-control planes is a popular hobby that thousands of people enjoy on a regular basis. If you live near the water, float flying is an excellent option for you. There are dozens of seaplane models of various sizes available. If you prefer the design of land-based planes, add floats to make it seaworthy. You can buy floats at your local hobby store, but if you're feeling handy you can build your own floats, using plans from the Internet.

Things You'll Need

  • Float plans
  • 2-inch foam board
  • Cardboard
  • Tracing paper and pencil
  • Tape
  • Hot glue gun
  • Hobby knife
  • Hack saw
  • Sandpaper
  • Straight pins
  • Face mask
  • 1/4-inch plywood sheeting
  • Clear epoxy
  • Waterproof paint
  • Waterproof varnish
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Instructions

    • 1

      Clear a workspace and lay out the float plans. Tap a sheet of tracing paper over the float plans and trace the outline of the float. Remove the tracing paper and tap it on top of the cardboard. Cut along the outline of the float to create a template of the float. Use the cardboard template to create a second template.

    • 2

      Use the hot glue to glue three sheets of foam together. The number of sheets will depend on the plans you are using. Once the glue is dry, use straight pins to attach the cardboard templates to both sides of the foam block. Use the hack saw to cut along the edges of the templates, removing the extra foam as you go.

    • 3

      Sand the cut foam to make it smooth. Cut a strip of plywood 2 inches wide that runs three-fourths the length of the float. Center the plywood strip on the float then glue it to the top of the float. Remove the cardboard templates. Sand the float to round off the leading edges. Sand the sides of the float to create a slight "V" shape along the bottom.

    • 4

      Build the second float, then weigh both to confirm that they are the same weight. If the weights are different, even them out by lightly sanding them down.

    • 5

      Apply a very thin layer of clear epoxy to each float. Let it dry and apply a second coat. When the second coat dries, use the paint to decorate the float. After the paint dries, apply a thin layer of waterproof varnish to seal the float.

    • 6

      Attach the floats to your plane, using the plywood strips as the point of contact. Balance the model to make sure the center of gravity is where it should be.

    • 7

      Take your plane to the water and start flying.


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