Best way to pin hinges
04-19-2003, 02:32 AM
#1
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Best way to pin hinges
I installed some CA hinges today that I'm not too sure of. What is the best method for pinning? ( This is an ARF and I'll be pinning thru the covering.)
04-19-2003, 04:11 AM
#2
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Best way to pin hinges
Drill a 3/32" hole all the way through. It's a good idea to put a piece of scrap wood on the bottom of the wing so the drill bit doesn't rip through the bottom of the wing and tear up the covering.
Use round toothpicks to pin the hinges. What I do is put one in and mark it on both sides. Then I measure that and make a bunch of pieces that length by rolling a single edge razor blade across the toothpick. Gives nice clean cuts.
Now when you're ready to pin, push an uncut toothpick through to open the hole and and spread out the hole in the hinge a little. Pull it all the way through and then put in one of the cut toothpicks. Put a drop of thin CA on both sides of the toothpick and your hinges will never pull out.
Also, try to find real ROUND toothpicks. A lot of toothpicks are called round but are actually square with rounded corners. It's not super important, but the round ones are easier to work with and look better.
If you want to cover the pins then get a scrap piece of covering and put it between two sheets of paper. Use a hole punch to make covering circles that can be ironed over the toothpick pins.
This is how it should look more or less. About halfway down the page you'll see a close up of the rudder.
http://www.airfieldmodels.com/my_stik_30.htm
Use round toothpicks to pin the hinges. What I do is put one in and mark it on both sides. Then I measure that and make a bunch of pieces that length by rolling a single edge razor blade across the toothpick. Gives nice clean cuts.
Now when you're ready to pin, push an uncut toothpick through to open the hole and and spread out the hole in the hinge a little. Pull it all the way through and then put in one of the cut toothpicks. Put a drop of thin CA on both sides of the toothpick and your hinges will never pull out.
Also, try to find real ROUND toothpicks. A lot of toothpicks are called round but are actually square with rounded corners. It's not super important, but the round ones are easier to work with and look better.
If you want to cover the pins then get a scrap piece of covering and put it between two sheets of paper. Use a hole punch to make covering circles that can be ironed over the toothpick pins.
This is how it should look more or less. About halfway down the page you'll see a close up of the rudder.
http://www.airfieldmodels.com/my_stik_30.htm
04-19-2003, 04:24 AM
#3
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Best way to pin hinges
Thanks for the info CafeenMan. Looks like one pen per hinge should do it. That's a good tip on covering the pins. If I use a contrasting color for my punch-outs, it will look like I planned it that way.
04-19-2003, 04:31 AM
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Best way to pin hinges
One pin per hinge is plenty until you get to the really large airplanes. Try to break a 1/4" long toothpick sometime and you'll see why. 
04-19-2003, 04:42 AM
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Best way to pin hinges
OK, here we go. The rudder originally used 1/2 A hinge points, but when I switched to a .46 I replaced them with flat hinges. Those hinges are designed for .049 - .15 size models. I didn't want my rudder coming off in flight.
04-19-2003, 12:19 PM
#7
Best way to pin hinges
A simple way (if it's already covered) is to use a regular straight pin. Push it through just until it pierces the hinge. Then cut it off with a cutting plier. Now push the excess just under the surface. All you have left in the covering is a pinhole, which can be on the bottom.
