Taping Hinges
 

As a rule of thumb, does everbody else tape all the hinges on their 3D planes (including rudder) ?? On my Extreme Flight Extra it tells you to do the ailerons and elevator in the manual so have done them. Yesterday however I went down to my club and one of the instructors had a look at my Acromaster, he suggested I blenderm tape all the hinge lines on there as well as I'd now reached a higher standard and was flying that much more precisely in general and doing 3D.
Any concensus of opionion much appreciated !!!!!

RE: Taping Hinges
 

I try to do all of my hinges either with tape or clear covering, Sometimes it is just to hard to do the rudder. On most ARFs from Hanger 9 the tail just fits so well it seems like a waste of time, But the ailerons most defantly. However I am sure there are far better builders out there that can get them perfect right from the start.! BTW I got to look at a new Hanger 9 carden yak today the hinges are the pin type and are taped from the factory.

RE: Taping Hinges
 

Not seeing any bipes out there to my liking, so making my own. My friend Blake wants total precision and something that lasts. Used to use CA hinges and sealed over gap with tape. Now I know better. Using Micro Dubro pin hinges from now on. Leaves such a small/too no gap, no reason to tape over. Much more durable hinge system. The surfaces will flop around now and droop without being hooked up to servos. Much easier on the servos too. Of course if your plane already has a single sided bevel on ailerons...I did wing side flat and double beveled aileron side. Once done that's where it will stay. All my planes from now on will have them. My 2 cents

RE: Taping Hinges
 

That's my take on the situation... if you can close the gap between surfaces, you shouldn't need to tape them. I have had success using CA hinges and achieving close to zero gap, but it certainly would be easier with those pin hinges... something I'm using in my next 2 planes in fact. I've built and flown planes from 100% 3D to highly modified 100 MPH high wing sport trainers, none of them with taped surfaces and never had a problem with precision or flutter.

RE: Taping Hinges
 

Im not the world greatest builders but i tape ever thing. arfs normally get clear tape and if i build them i use the covering that i put on the surface. this came from an old instructor of ours. i know flutter was 1 thing it stopped but what it does is increase the effectiveness of the control surfaces. when the surfaces deflects if there is a gap some air will pass though and not over the surface hence meaning its not working to its fullest. once sealed no air can pass though meaning when deflected it will move 100% of the air flow and work to its fullest. to me now doing 3d when below stall and i throw a surface u need all the aurthrity you can get meaning being sealed will help. I know all so that it is done in some full size planes as i have done some flying and looked at lots. i know for sure the pitts s1s does as i stood at the tail while it was being hand started and took note that it had a black rubber seal on the hinge line of the rudder and elevators. so its not just us rc guys that do it.