sherm172k

Hey all, i remember seeing a very nice looking pair of aluminum retracts for .40 sized planes online. I think they were green and cost around $40, if that helps. I can't for the life of me find the website - anyone know of these or another good pair of aluminum retracts? I have used the hobbico ones and they are crap

Thanks

sherm172k

these are the ones i was thinking of http://morrishobbies.com/product_inf...roducts_id=455 anyone have any experience with them? do they hold up better than the great planes or hobbico plastic retracts? i'd like to get those nice retracts i saw a review for on here, but they're $70 - is this a good cheap alternative?

Campy

My Feedback: (1)

Take a look at the Robart HD retracts. They use 3/16" struts and are a lot less suseptable to bending, especially when flying off of grass.

jmb52760

I have these retracts mounted in a .60 size Calypso (classic pattern) that weighs 7 1/2 lbs. Six flights and they have worked just fine. I got them a long time ago. I didn't know what brand they were until I saw this post.

jvigani

Take a look at these. http://3dxhobbies.com/store/cart.php...category_id=25

Rod Bender

I am just getting ready to mount retracts on my ultra sport. I've never done retracts before, and was wondering how you obtain the 90* bend for the wheel? Intructions say to place\install retracts, and mark center of retract wheel well on retract shaft. Bend at that mark for your wheel. So, mark it, take it off and place in a vise and bend? Again, never done this ... Thanks, Greg

js3

My Feedback: (3)

With a name like Rod Bender I am shocked that you've never done this before!

You can use a vise to bend the wire, but you'll get much better results with a purpose built tool. I think K&S (and others) make them. I've had mine for about 25 years and can't remember who the manufacturer is.

Rod Bender

LOL .... John,

Rod Bender is the name of my boat, I do a lot of Salmon fishing, and Albacore fishing. I guess I should pick a new name for my flying hobby. I've seen Z bedner tools for pushrods, but not an L, I guess the Z would work, then cut off the tag end. Not sure how big of gauge wire you can do on those Z benders also. A side note question: On a GreatPlanes Super Sportster, is there an option for retracts, or can it be engineered in? Thats the next kit I have coming... Can't wait for warmer weather so I can work out in the shop.......

js3

My Feedback: (3)

Of course! A fishing metaphor. It's been quite a while for me. So long in fact that it never even crossed my mind.

The Z bend pliers are really only good for 2-56 rod. This is what I mean...

[link=http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXGFW4&P=7]http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXGFW4&P=7[/link]

mcarleno

You can bend them but don't try to bend to tight (like pounding them over) because they will fracture. Do not heat to bend unless you know how to anneal and harden wire (you have to heat and cool in cycles to re-harden).

You can always use axles for them. You would just cut them to length.
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXK181&P=0

Rod Bender

Thanks Marc,

Never knew such a design existed. I'll be getting the Super Sportster later this week, if it is not designed for retracts, I'm sure I can design something to work... Thanks again, Greg

pt19 flyer

My Feedback: (1)

hi
as you say hobbico retracts are junk. have them on a tracer and have replaced one twice due to the plastic where the strut mounts cracks. have use spring-air and very happy with them. advantage here is air holds them up but if you loose pressure they are spring loaded and will go into down position. think you would like these. I think robart is now coming out with a spring loaded retract.

good luckand happy flying
pt19 flyer

pt19 flyer

My Feedback: (1)

hi
go to hobby shop and buy a pair of axles to fit strut...make install much simpler

good luck and happy flying
pt19 flyer

Rod Bender

PT19, Do you have a link for the retracts you mention? The plans call for the hobbico ones, but I want to do this right the 1st time without problems... Thanks, Greg

Rod Bender

Have any of you heard of VQ Retracts? Wondered if there a good option..... Greg

pt19 flyer

My Feedback: (1)

hi
I'm sure they have a website but one you might try is...
http://www.mikes-models.co.uk/zshop/...index&cPath=68

they are the best available I think.

good luck and happy flying

pt19 flyer

pt19 flyer

My Feedback: (1)

hi
another source is...
http://s43500.sites99.storefront-hos...CategoryID=102

good luck
pt19 flyer

Blues.man5

My Feedback: (5)

Here are Dave Brown from Tower http://www.towerhobbies.com/listings/cat-cat-q.html

Rod Bender

Blues..... Have you used these retracts? What size plane? reliable? any wear issues? Thanks, Greg

MinnFlyer

My Feedback: (4)

Rod, something I have found is to make sure you can use 3/16" struts. 5/32" bends too easily

Here is a set that I designed for my first Ultra Sport and I use nothing but these.

http://3dxhobbies.com/store/cart.php...category_id=25

Here's a review on them:

http://www.rcuniverse.com/magazine/a...article_id=686

Rod Bender

Thanks Mike,

I saw these, and the cnc design out of solid alum stock impressed me. Sounded like a strong well engineered working retract. Probably the best mechanical retract before going up to air\spring retracts ..... Thanks, Greg