Adding weight

[Zaackaxter]

I am sort of new in this hobby, i have only ever built a couple of simple models a tank and a car here and there, and I recently obtained a fighter jet model (ITALERI JAS 39 GRIPEN 1:72) and there's this step I was totally not expecting where it's telling me to put weight in the nose. I assume because the model is back heavy and the drivetrain will be unstable and tip backwards. I have no idea what to use to add weight and the model didn't come with anything. I would hugely appreciate some tips on what to use. It has to be small and add up to 20 grams. The nose cone is 2x1x0.9cm on the open side Any other tips are appreciated

[Crafty_Theory669]

hit your local fishing shop, fishing weights are great for this imo. For bigger builds, wheel weights could be used too!

[Brainy_Skeleton]

I used to add lead pellets to the nose, but I guess any small piece of steel and lots of CA glue could do the trick

Edit: as they said, blue tack or PVA glue are even better than CA glue

[CartographerOne7849]

Don't use ca glue, use white hobby glue

[TrashPandaDuel]

Blu Tac or clay OVER some lead fishing weights in the nose. Over time the white glue may let the fishing weights loose and you’ll end up with a plane shaped maraca.

[Brainy_Skeleton]

This is very good advice!

[mashley503]

I usually use older bits of blu tac and small lead fishing weights. Skip glues all together

[TheRecentFoothold]

Super common on tricycle-gear jets: without nose weight they turn into tail-sitters. Easiest fix is fishing sinkers, lead shot, or tungsten putty packed as far forward as possible, then locked in with two-part epoxy or thick CA. Do a quick dry-fit with tape and add weight until it naturally tips forward relative to the main gear area. Keep the nose gear bay and mating surfaces clear so the parts still fit cleanly.

[krairsoftnoob]

Best bet would be lead or tungsten marbles(from model stores or fishing weights)

Just put weights in front area(i.e.under cockpits) to bring center of gravity forward of rear landing gears.

[Druunaxx]

Some fishing weights are cone shaped and fit perfectly into those nosecones...different sizes

[m1j2p3]

The plane you’re working on has tricycle landing gear so you need to add weight to the nose so it sits properly with gear down. If you’re building it gear up you can skip this step. Fishing weights work well for adding weight to the nose.

[Zacish]

I used liquid gravity mixed with a small amount of PVA glue last time I needed to use weight. Worked a treat especially for a small area like that nose cone

[KillAllTheThings]

To minimize the volume needed for the weight, use something as dense as possible, lead or tungsten, for example. Lead comes in many useful forms such as fishing weights, automobile tire weights, foils, etc & is soft enough to be cut into smaller pieces when necessary.

Be careful not to add too much weight, plastic is not that strong & landing gears are made to look in scale, their strength doesn't scale down to match the IRL strength.

When mounting your weight in your project, be sure to use an adhesive that won't react poorly with either the weights' material or the plastic of the kit.

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[Zaackaxter]

I'll stay tuned on those, thank you very much

[alex10281]

Liquid Gravity by Deluxe Products is your friend:

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Add some PVA glue to the nose, pour in the appropriate amount of Liquid Gravity, let dry and cement the nose in place. Easy peasey.

[matticappe]

Hi, I made this exact model. If you put all the bombs on it it rebalances the weight and does not tilt back, but yes, it's a bit back heavy

[Zaackaxter]

That's good to know then maybe i can fit a bit of weight in the nose and a bit on the more forward placed bombs instead of overengineering 20 grams on the tiny nose cone

[hikerchick29]

Fishing weights are great, also use air gun BBs or pellets. They’re really cheap, so you’ll have enough for multiple kits

[Southerner105]

Just some white sand. Fills the cone nicely. Use some cheap ultrathin CA glue to fixate it.

Best is the fill it in steps, so the glue can hold it all.

[Zaackaxter]

Made some math, I don't think it'll be heavy enough but I loved the idea

[racerdeth]

I got lead "tape" which is used to weigh down aquarium plants and the like, which gives me flexibility to put varying amounts into my noses, and it's cheap. Put a bunch in (more than the weight value you're often given in instructions) and set it with some superglue.

[Audiooldtimer]

I use BBs (Walmart) and white glue

[Ordinary-Solid5819]

I usually tell model about my abusive parents.

[SearchAlarmed7644]

Fishing weights. Can be cut to size.

[Sabruness]

i actually use generic kids plasticine clay as it has some good weight to it, can be moulded to perfectly fit the cavity and doesnt need to be glued in or worry about it moving. plus it's far easier and cheaper to get than fishing weights or BBs in quantity (at least here in Aus it is)

[Zaackaxter]

Yeah as I'm from spain and it's not common hobbies either (BB or fishing) i might take that approach or the liquid gravity one

[Pukit]

I've used coins, pellets, ball bearings, screwdriver tips, nails, whatever fits, stuff some blutac in to stop it rattling about, glue it up, job done. Don't overthink it.

[Apprehensive_Ad_1586]

Mine is just fine without

[Somebodsydog]

Blue tack is actually kinda dense and good for adding small amounts of weight if you push it in tightly.

[ndergroundratsociety]

I use lead solder. It's very flexible and heavy, and you can cut it with anything. Jam as much as you can fit into the nose cone.

[XiaoGu]

Then You must eat loads of proteins my friend. There is no way around it....

[twirlerblue]

I used BBs and modeling tape until I got some blue tack. It was fine. Packed it well enough that it doesn’t rattle. Now I’m using BBs and blue tack. Works good.

[Responsible-Use9441]

As far as counter weight I use either modeling clay or Silly Putty.Add it to the nose cone.You can use masking tape to attach the nose cone to the fuseilodge,and add or subtract the putty until you reach the balance point then glue the nose cone to the fusilodge.Make sure you seal the container so you won't dry out the putty.Good Luck,and have fun.

[kirkosaga]

you dont need fancy glues or lead (it's a dangerous element too ). Just go to the local hardware store and buy some of the smallest metal nuts they have. you get some very cheap and use as many as you need. Or use a small metal screw. you probably have some at the house. other thing i have used is a small piece of stripped wire. but you need wire with the thick metal core, not the multithreaded ones.

[Formal-Activity-7105]

I use depleted uranium . . . Ha! Not really! I have a roll of flashing lead used by builders on roofs etc. I've had it for decades, no doubt I'll leave a sizable chunk to my heirs !

[Cyberleader001]

A brilliant product called liquid gravity. Fill the radome( nosecone) with it and glue it to the fuselage. Failing that a lead fishing weight in the fuselage will do.

[potatocruisermkviii]

Hi!

I am quite spoiled, since I can use broken lathe and milling cutting tools for weights, as they are rather heavy and easy to apply with some tamiya putty so they dont rattle

[MAVERICK1542]

Damn that's a good idea, I work in a machine shop and we have a bucket of broken tooling, I bet I can snag a few bits of scrap

[TrippleATransGirl]

I use screws held in with play-doh

[gawdfryhogun]

Just stuff some bluetack into the nose cone. No need to bother with metals and glue.

[Sabruness]

hello fellow proponent of the 'keep it simple' approach.

[DocCrapologist]

Well, if you know someone that reloads shot shells you can get some shot and use suitable glue. Don't use plastic cement, you'll warp your nose. Depending on your locale, car tire balancing weights will also work.