Quick build fuse, worth it?

[Dbro172]

Looking for some opinions/posititions here. I'll be finishing up my SB wings in the next month or so.... Likewise, my wife is due with our first baby in a month or so. My wings only took a few months but that included many 12 hour day weekends.

So, in the interest of keeping this project moving along, is the $5k for a QB fuse worth it? Or, how many hours would it take to get an SB to the point of a QB. Could I take a week off work and get some substantial progress on the SB? I like the fact that the QB comes pre-primed. I have trepidations about comparing the plans against the QB to see exactly which steps are complete... Wish the QB came with its "own" set of plans.

Again, looking for thoughts n opinions here to help me get off the fence...

Thanks in advance,

[Rupester]

IMHO, it is worth it. The rivet work and general workmanship was excellent, and it let me move on to the hard stuff ... like, putting all the "acoutrements" in that fuselage. OTOH, if one is really pressed for cash, and they don't mind spending another 6 months or more on the project, then one might go slo-build.

[Flyguytki]

If you have the time I say it is not worth it. I was like you and for 3 weeks I was able to put in 8-12 hour days and had the fuse to a quickbuikd stage in right at a month. ABSOLUTLY nothing against the quickbuilds but I like knowing that I have built every piece of my 7, that's on this plane at least things will probably change on the next one.

If you check out my log in the signature you can see the dates,times and progress of the fuse.

-David

[Dbro172]

Originally Posted by Rupester

IMHO, it is worth it. The rivet work and general workmanship was excellent, and it let me move on to the hard stuff ... like, putting all the "acoutrements" in that fuselage. OTOH, if one is really pressed for cash, and they don't mind spending another 6 months or more on the project, then one might go slo-build.

Thanks Terry, for sharing your perspective.

[Dbro172]

Originally Posted by Flyguytki

If you have the time I say it is not worth it. I was like you and for 3 weeks I was able to put in 8-12 hour days and had the fuse to a quickbuikd stage in right at a month. ABSOLUTLY nothing against the quickbuilds but I like knowing that I have built every piece of my 7, that's on this plane at least things will probably change on the next one.

If you check out my log in the signature you can see the dates,times and progress of the fuse.

-David

David, just to clarify, my 12 hour days were weekends only. We're yours? Or did it take a solid three weeks straight to QB status?

I definately feel a good portion of knowledge will be lost in not constructing a SB fuse, but may be the sacrifice I decide to make to keep things moving, with the newborn and all... Id like to be flying in a couple years.

[Flyguytki]

Originally Posted by Dbro172

David, just to clarify, my 12 hour days were weekends only. We're yours? Or did it take a solid three weeks straight to QB status?

I definately feel a good portion of knowledge will be lost in not constructing a SB fuse, but may be the sacrifice I decide to make to keep things moving, with the newborn and all... Id like to be flying in a couple years.

Nope I had a solid 3 weeks to work on it. It was a PCS move that worked out great and gave me a few weeks off.

The previous poster is correct tho, the rivet work is excellent on the quickbuilds but make sure you look at everything I have seen numerous errors on a few quickbuilds.

I say you did slow build wings stick with it and do the same with the fuse.

-David

[rv9av8tr]

I've dropped $5K on airplane parts and got way less for the money. I think the QB gives you a huge head start. There is PLENTY of building to do, so it really isn't necessary to feel like you got "cheated" out of something. I'd do it again in a heart beat. Another local -9A builder and I were building along at the same time and together we put together a pretty comprehensive plans exception document which melds the QB and the plans. Send me a PM and I'll email it to you.

[rleffler]

In reality, only you can answer the "is it worth it" question.

How much do you value your time?

Is it worth the expense to fly quicker?

Do you have the extra money available?

In my case, it was strictly a budget issue. No cash for a quick build if I wanted to complete the project this decade.

The RV-10 wings were probably one of the easier kits to complete. It was also the most boring. Quite a bit of repetition with each rib and the hundreds of rivets on the skin. Some value not having to do the tanks. Unfortunately, quick builds don't appear to have an advantage when it comes to tank blisters.

All of us will answer those questions differently. The only correct answers are yours.

Bob

[pierre smith]

Do you enjoy building or would you really rather be flying sooner? That was the question we asked and so the QB became a reality...built and flown in under two years.

As has been mentioned, the workmanship is incredibly good as well.

Best,

[rjcthree]

I was SB wings, QB fuse. For me, some builder's lag was setting in. While it is an illusion, the QB fuse - about ready for wiring and instrumentation and an engine - was a big motivational boost. It almost immediately changes the project from aluminum origami into an identifiable aircraft - even to the naysayers trying to bring you down. There is still plenty of building to do - I doubt you'll feel cheated in your building experience by going with the QB.

Also, it depends on how much reliable help you have. I had/have NONE. It looks like the fuse, moreso than the wings, needs a good riveting buddy.

You should consider getting the finishing kit at the same time as the fuse if you can swing it. Without, there are some continuity issues or decisions you will get to revisit later when you get into finishing.