-= Hinge Preference =-
 

im still debating wether to use my ca hinges on my 27% edge...

it has 4 hinges per aileron and 6 for elevator and 4 for the rudder


what do you normally have for a 1/4?

-= Hinge Preference =-
 

Robart hinges on giant scale and Klett pin-piont hinges on anything smaller. I had two CA hinges break on a 60 size Ultra Sport elevator (well over 300-400 flights). Perhaps I used too much CA glue as mentioned above but that only needs to happen to me once. (by the way, having the gaps sealed on the elevator help me get the plane down without a problem.) I always found it tough to know how much CA was "too much" or "not enough to hold". Some say to count the drops of CA but that's all relative to how big of hole (or how clogged it is) is on the glue bottle. I know many many people that use CA hinges without incident but I haven't used them in years.

Just my 2 cents...........Mark

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Hey,
You guys using CA hinges, how are they from the binding aspect? I guess I never installed them right or gave them enough of a chance. All the ones I ever used never gave me enough throw and seemed way to stiff.
I am with Steve and prefer the dubro large scale hinges with one pin the entire length. I just finished a 540 and used robart pin hinges for the first time. Lining up the pivot points is difficult and I'm not really happy with the installation. I am much happier with the dubro solution. However, it does take about 4 times longer to do.
Rick

RickP
 

I have never had a problem with binding or throw with CA hinges. I prefer LOTS of throw, My friends make fun of me for that. There are many diff brands of CA hinges, some are nicer than others, I like the goldberg variety, they have diff sizes, and the smaller ones are very thin which flex real easy, they also have holes in them which is supposed to help the glue hold.

CA Hinges in 1/4 scale and 2M pattern!
 

CA hinges are all I use.
Radio South 1/4 scale CA hinges are great! I use them (usually installed 'sideways' for more hinge length) on all my planes - including 2M pattern planes and 1/4 scale IMAC stuff. No problems ever so far. (1000+ flights logged...)

(techniques below courtesy of a much smarter builder than I...)

They're easy to install -- I use lots on each surface - 4-6 on a rudder or an elev half, 7 or more on an aileron --

Binding? Keep the hinge lines *straight * and they won't bind or break
Vibration in the hinge line? Keep the hinge gap to <1/32" and there won't be much room for vibes...
Stiffness?
-- After installing them and putting the thin CA in, I use a corner of a paper towel in the fully deflected surface to wick out the excess CA
-- During the few minutes it takes for the glue to set completely, I flex the surface back and forth thru its entire range of motion to prevent remaining CA from hardening in the hinge gap.

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Hi RickP,
hold the deflection a tad more than you'll ever need then glue the hinges in place,if the hinges are glued in place without any gap, then yes they will bind,when finished with hinges I seal the gap with clear ultracote,but other covering or tape will work.
Have a goodun,John.

-= Hinge Preference =-
 

That's probably what I did. didn't leave enough gap. But I still like the removable pin technique. I'll have to give the CA hinges another shot...
RP

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Can someone give me a run-down on the entire installation technique for CA hinges?

How do you get CA on all of them and get them all into the wing or stabiliser before the first one dries?

-= Hinge Preference =-
 

You install all the hinges in that particular control surface dry, it should be completely assembled with no gap, before you apply the glue. Then you deflect the control surface (slightly past the throw you are trying to achieve as someone stated earlier) and apply a few drops of CA on each hinge, working down the hinge line, I then come back to the 1st one and apply a few more drops, and so on, untill the hinge no longer soaks it up, then flip it over and deflect the surface the other direction and do the same thing. If you have a loose slot and the hinge wants to just push into one side without being distributed 50/50, you can stick a small pin through the center of it, that will allow it to only go halfway in, then once the control surface is pushed up tight, take the pin out before gluing. BTW, you must use thin CA for these.

-= Hinge Preference =-
 

my method:mark the hinge line to keep the hinges straight and level,bevel the hinge line,slot the hinge locations.stick a pin in the center of the hinges so equal amts. of hinge is in each half, install all the hinges,deflect control half a small amt. more than you will need,then glue with THIN CA until wicking action of ca stops,wipe up spills with tissue,then flex the controls to loosen the hinging action,seal the hinge line with tape ,monocote,ultracote,etc..
Have a goodun,John.

-= Hinge Preference =-
 

Thanks BBB, I understand and the world becomes clear...

Thanks for the help