cstevec

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Gee bodyworks, that was polite. I have been biting my tongue (clenching my fists) myself.

MMcConville

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Hi Guys,

I posted in one of the other 260 threads as well. I'm trying to get an understanding of that the landing gear are doing. Is it a delamination at the top bend (typical and easily fixed with thin CA) or is it something different? Can someone send me pics of a gear with a problem?

CF gear in general are problematic but are worth a lot in weight savings. I am yet to use a CF gear than wouldnt delam in less than perfect landings. But I also learned that wicking in thin CA fixes them really well as long as no fibers have broken. If that happens, the gear is a gonner.

BR289

My Feedback: (106)

Mike,
I know I am not comfortable with gear that is going to "delaminate" or break or whatever on a plane like this. I am sure when I get mine done, that I am going to make a few "less than perfect" landings!
Why would carbon fiber "delaminate" anyway?
Thanks

Brett Horton

My Feedback: (17)

Mike,
My gear has not separated any fibers but just delamed, several layers in the middle of the bend directly under the fuse. will send pics of my gear this after noon. So I believe I will try the CA trick today also.

Thanks,
Brett Horton
www.copterviews.com

BR289

My Feedback: (106)

Mike,
For "peace of mind", do you know of any aluminum gear that Horizon might have from another plane that would the Carbon gear?
I dont think anyone currently flying the 33% Edge 540 has had this problem ( I have yet to build mine).........
Thanks for taking up your time, and being on this forum......
Blair

cstevec

My Feedback: (1)

Mike, I am trying to find time to get a picture of the landing gear crack & post it. I said I would last night but when I got home there was a long list of honey-do's and a wife whos was saying "you played with those planes all weekend, now I need some time." If I have time, I will post some pics tonight.

I'll be the first to admit, the 3rd landing I made with the plane was'nt perfect, the plane hit a rut and stood up on it's nose. Every other landing has been perfect though. The second gear I put on the plane has had nothing but picture perfect landings and it is cracked too. "Delaminated" if you will. Sorry, but I am not a novice to this, I have used the CA method of fixing cheap carbon fiber gear before. You're right, it will fix it but it usually delaminates again after a few flights. Good quality carbon fiber will take a fair bit of abuse before it starts coming apart.

I'm not knocking the plane, I think it is a great plane. I bought it to use for every day in lieu of my Carden which is over 8 years old with aftermarket fiberglass gear on it. Those gear have been knocked off the plane twice (not by me) but they are still in good shape. This thing is way to fragile as it stands to be used for everyday, unless I have just gotten a couple of lemons.

MMcConville

My Feedback: (4)

Glass gear are tyically stronger than CF, but also heavier.

Interesting to note that youve had Cf gear repaired w/ thin CA break after a few flights. I've done that one seveal CF gear and not yet have one rebreak that I can remember. The Graphtech I had on my TBM 260 delaminated pretty badly and when fixed that was ended up outlasting the airplane (another story). It is important to run the tin CA completely through the gear. I'm lazy so I dont remove the gear, I put the model on its nose and flex the delaminated part open and run CA through it till it comes out the other side, then wipe it of and let it set with the weight off of the gear.

cstevec

My Feedback: (1)

Mike, I forget who makes the ones I am referring to but I had them on a little plane, the Funtana .40 as a matter of fact. I put them on so I could overpower it with a .91 and run a bigger prop. That gear was rounded and very thin and over a period of a year I probably had to fix it 1/2 dozen times. Kinda expected it though as it was very thin, and designed to be springy and absorb shock. Good thing was it saved the plane numerous times while I was learning to do things like "harrier" landings.

BARCC

hows it goin everybody?

O.S. Master

shut up BARCC!! I dont want to ever see your face at school again you SOB f off POS!!

BARCC

O.S. Master how'd u do in school today? Why does it say though: [Awaiting Approval] have you done something bad? See u at Dairy Queen soon for the class party!

bodywerks

My Feedback: (4)

"you played with those planes all weekend, now I need some time." ...
...If I had a nickle for every time I heard that, I wouldn't have to play the lotto!

Mike, I have used RCsupergear befor with no delam problems, and VERY strong. A replacement gear from them would probably be the same weight or maybe a 1/2 ounce heavier...

BARCC

Mike probably wont be on here, because of the JR Aero-Tow June 2-5

cstevec

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Here is one set of gear with crack plainly visible. After the wife is done resizing them I'll post some more. I think you can see the warp I was referring to as well.

cstevec

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What you cant really see in that picture is the fact that the crack goes all the way to the mounting bolt holes on the other side of the gear.

cstevec

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The set on this plane, (sorry for the lousy picture) are Graphtec from TnT landing Gear. They have been through quite a few hard landings with no sign of delamination yet.

Bill Killillay

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What plane is that?

BoneDoc

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recovered Funtana I bet

cstevec

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The plane by the way is the Hanger 9 Funtana 90, in case you didn't recognize it. Here are some more of the 260's gear.

cstevec

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One last one just to show they are in fact Extra 260 gear:

FBaity

My Feedback: (2)

http://www.graphtechrc.com/ Says they have gone to a hobby shop, measures stock gear and should have a replacement aviable sometime next week. I have been communicating with Robin and Mike for a few days on this issue. I can't wait to get mine and be done with this gear issue.

Frank Baity
AMA 38025

Bill Killillay

My Feedback: (18)

Very cool. Thanks Frank!! I've bought lots of gear from them and they are all top notch stuff!! I can attest that they will stand up to the abuses we put on them too!!!!!!

David_Moen

My graphtech gear broke last weekend while taxiing out of the pits! About 40 flights with no hard landings on a 10.5 pound airplane. [:@]

Brett Horton

My Feedback: (17)

Just Spoke with Graphtech and they are having to make another mold this weekend, They said call the first of the week and they should have some made to purchase.

Thanks,
Brett Horton
www.copterviews.com

Bill Killillay

My Feedback: (18)

Well that's a bummer. I've had their gear on my 4-7lb planes and never had a problem. I do pretty vilent harrier landings with my banchee and I end up ripping out the bottom of the airframe, but have NEVER broken the gear. I guess it stands to reason though that we are bound to get some bum gear. Did you contact them about it and send the gear back to them so that they can make it better? That's what I would do, I bet the would replace it for you...

BK