Mac Performance question

[soopirV]

Hi- I got the ATS-6 for my birthday, and wanted to start working on it tonight, but the tolerances on the kit are so precise that the MMT is stuck in the CRs and airframe (for those who havne't gotten a MAC kit yet, they come "pre assembled" in the bag- it's the only high power line I've seen that you can dry fit together and have it stay in place!). It's monsoon season for us, and we had a lot of rain this weekend, so I'm thinking the humidity has swollen the cardboard MMT and/or the ply centering rings, but do not know if canvas phenolic they use is susceptible to moisture ingress as well?
My plan is to move it from my garage shop to the air conditioned house to dry it out a bit...but curious if others have had similar experiences?

 

[mperegrinefalcon]

The canvas is not likely to have swollen much since it is an epoxy impregnated fabric. The cardboard and wood are likely to have done so however. Move them inside for a good 24 hours, and if they are still stuck after that you can try sticking a dowel through the slot and push against the CR in the rear. Careful not to damage it though. I live in a very dry climate so I don't have to worry about that much. When dry fitting a lot of FG kits the parts can get stuck and pushing a dowel or screwdriver through the slot is always how I fix it.

Also, that is an amazing kit. If I could afford one I would buy it.

 

[mike2wander]

Hi- I got the ATS-6 for my birthday, and wanted to start working on it tonight, but the tolerances on the kit are so precise that the MMT is stuck in the CRs and airframe (for those who havne't gotten a MAC kit yet, they come "pre assembled" in the bag- it's the only high power line I've seen that you can dry fit together and have it stay in place!). It's monsoon season for us, and we had a lot of rain this weekend, so I'm thinking the humidity has swollen the cardboard MMT and/or the ply centering rings, but do not know if canvas phenolic they use is susceptible to moisture ingress as well?
My plan is to move it from my garage shop to the air conditioned house to dry it out a bit...but curious if others have had similar experiences?

Dave,

The Canvas tube is water proof and EXTREMELY thermally stable and the motor tube and rings should be just fine. Take an old T shirt or small towel, bunch it up and feed it down the booster tube from the top till it rests against the forward centering ring. slide a piece of 2x4 down the tube and simply push out the motor mount assy. Some light sanding on the ring OD's is all you need.

Mike

 

[soopirV]

Dave,

The Canvas tube is water proof and EXTREMELY thermally stable and the motor tube and rings should be just fine. Take an old T shirt or small towel, bunch it up and feed it down the booster tube from the top till it rests against the forward centering ring. slide a piece of 2x4 down the tube and simply push out the motor mount assy. Some light sanding on the ring OD's is all you need.

Mike

Brilliant, thanks Mike! Another gorgeous kit!

 

[mike2wander]

Brilliant, thanks Mike! Another gorgeous kit!

Thank you, Enjoy the build!

 

[soopirV]

Thank you, Enjoy the build!

Tee-shirt ball + 2x4 = success! Speaks to the precision of these components. It's my second MAC build, and it sets a new standard that others would do well to (try to!!) follow.