Five Hours and Counting
03-09-2003, 12:04 AM
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Five Hours and Counting
I now have five hours on my new 21st Century Iron this is the third one I have owned. The first two failed after only a couple of years and I would guess at less the 75 hours of use, that is why I am keeping a log on the new one.
I continue to use this iron only because I get far better results with it than the Top Flite iron that I used to use. I am curious as to if this is the normal life of this iron or if I have just gotten lemons?
The Top Flite iron has hundreds of hours on it and although it no longer has any non-stick coating left is still usable.
I continue to use this iron only because I get far better results with it than the Top Flite iron that I used to use. I am curious as to if this is the normal life of this iron or if I have just gotten lemons?
The Top Flite iron has hundreds of hours on it and although it no longer has any non-stick coating left is still usable.
03-09-2003, 12:49 AM
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21st Century Iron..
I bought one a while back, but had never used it..using a Top Flite with the coating worn off.
Well on my most recent plane I decided to whip it out.
And I don't know if it's because my calibration is off due to the different curves or what, but this is absolutely the WORST covering job I've ever done.
The sock wore thru and got kinda grungy, so I pulled it off...and the bag full of socks for the Top Flite won't fit. An old tee shirt made the sacrifice, but I tell ya, this plane looks like it was covered by a blacksmiths anvil.
The good news (?) is it has quite a few hours on it..many of them just running while I cried over the results...just kidding. I finished the plane using it..hoping my results would get better with practice. I need more practice.
Well on my most recent plane I decided to whip it out.
And I don't know if it's because my calibration is off due to the different curves or what, but this is absolutely the WORST covering job I've ever done.
The sock wore thru and got kinda grungy, so I pulled it off...and the bag full of socks for the Top Flite won't fit. An old tee shirt made the sacrifice, but I tell ya, this plane looks like it was covered by a blacksmiths anvil.
The good news (?) is it has quite a few hours on it..many of them just running while I cried over the results...just kidding. I finished the plane using it..hoping my results would get better with practice. I need more practice.
03-09-2003, 02:04 AM
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Five Hours and Counting
I had one for a long time and thought it worked real well. It finally bit the dust when I dropped it. The handle had come loose and I had fixed that, but otherwise I liked it and would get another.
03-09-2003, 04:48 AM
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There is a guy I fly with that has a top flite iron from the 80's, still going strong. I have the tower hobbies brand iron and it works fine for me, only had it for about 6 months though.
03-09-2003, 05:01 AM
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Have one, don't like it. My T/f iron is still going strong and I bought it back in '77!!!!!!! I do a lot of building and custom build for other people and I have lost count as to how many shoes I have put on it!
03-09-2003, 06:13 AM
#9
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Five Hours and Counting
My T/F shoe covering is worn off and it does not get hot enough anymare been using it since 1981
used it to cover my skypup U/L 40 yards of material
then a Murphy renegade 42 yards
and countless models
then got a Tower hobby one cheap and made a couple dokens holes in various covering (killed it recently)kept varying in temp.
using a hanger 9 electronic model now for couple of years
realy like it maintains temp within a few degrees and setting knob quite precise
used it to cover my skypup U/L 40 yards of material
then a Murphy renegade 42 yards
and countless models
then got a Tower hobby one cheap and made a couple dokens holes in various covering (killed it recently)kept varying in temp.
using a hanger 9 electronic model now for couple of years
realy like it maintains temp within a few degrees and setting knob quite precise
03-09-2003, 07:03 AM
#10
Five Hours and Counting
I like mine, but my buddies that learned to cover with a Top Flite iron hate it. I don't like using the Top Flite. It may be the different shape of the shoes. When you get used to one it makes the other seem awkward.
I have not been impressed with the longevity of the 21st Century iron. I am on my third one in ten years and I do not use it that much.
Eric
I have not been impressed with the longevity of the 21st Century iron. I am on my third one in ten years and I do not use it that much.
Eric
03-09-2003, 02:50 PM
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Gotta love my Topflight Iron....Bought in 70's and have built countless models with it, helped counteless buddies cover their birds with it... Coverite, Monokote, Solartex and others...
Shoe is worn very well but still keeps on coverin! Best $8.99 I spent in the building portion of the hobby.
Shoe is worn very well but still keeps on coverin! Best $8.99 I spent in the building portion of the hobby.
03-10-2003, 10:26 PM
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Coverite 21st Century Iron- Had to tape around the handle to keep the whole thing from falling apart (broken plastic inside)-10months old at the time.
Coverite 21st Century Trim Iron- Had to take the switch rheostat apart and rewire it because it stopped working-2months old at the time.
Could have sent them in for replacement but it's so darn incovenient when your're really into a project.
Coverite 21st Century Trim Iron- Had to take the switch rheostat apart and rewire it because it stopped working-2months old at the time.
Could have sent them in for replacement but it's so darn incovenient when your're really into a project.
