Question: I am about to install the main landing gear which is made from plated wire. Each gear "leg" is to be inserted into a pre-drilled hole in the bottom of the wing or fuselage and then aligned with a slot and clamped down with retaining straps. I find that it is difficult to insert the wire into the pre-drilled hole... either the wire is a touch too wide in diameter or the pre-drilled hole is a bit too narrow. Should I tap the gear legs into place with a small hammer or what?

Answer: If you can tap lightly and rotate the wire slightly to and fro a few times that will often work. If you find that it is a really tight fit and light tapping is not sufficient it would be best to take a few minutes and drill the hole out or grind the end of the wire.

Better Answer: Have a look at the wire first. Is there a burr or slight flairing at the end of the wire where it has been cut? If so, file the end to a slight taper. If the wire has no burrs or flairing at the end, the problem is likely that the wire is slightly oversized due to the plating and/or the pre-drilled hole has narrowed just a bit as the wood has dried after production. Either way, drill the hole out one size bigger. Here is how to do that... select a drill bit that is just large enough in diameter to barely fit into the hole without having to actually drill. Insert the drill into the hole and note how deep the hole is. Now select a drill bit that is 1/64" to 1/32" bigger in diameter. Apply masking tape to this drill bit to mark the depth of the hole. You don't want to overdrill the depth or you run the risk of drilling through a wing or other surface on the opposite side. Now use this larger drill bit to drill out one landing gear hole. Remember the idea is to increase the diameter of the hole slightly... not to drill deeper. Test fit the gear again. Then drill the second hole. Clamp the gear down with the retaining straps and screws.

If you ever end up with a hole that is too large and the gear has a loose or sloppy fit, turn the wing or fuselage so that the wheels are pointing up. Align the gear carefully so it is straight. Slide 1 or more narrow tooth picks into any slack space between the gear leg and the side of the hole. Flow CA+ such as ZAP-A-GAP CA+ from PACER down into the hole and around the tooth pick. Let the CA+ cure or accelerate with a light mist of ZIP KICKER. The gear should be nice and tight when you are finished.