Are nylon pin hinges that much better? I am about to start work on my UCD 3D 46... and i am debating whether or not to put in nylon pin hinges. Are they something that I should seriously consider? Thanks- Dan

I prefer CA hinges. The next response will be from someone who absolutely demands that you use Robarts, or some pin hinge.

Use the CA hinges with confidence. Just install them correctly.

Best wishes,
Dave Olson

I think CA hinges are great on 40 and 60 size planes. I've used them on all my planes and the wing/control service usually breaks before the hinges come out.

I actually prefer CA hinges over the Robart hinge points because the CA hinges go in so clean and take up very little space on the hinge line. On anything bigger than 60 sized CA hinges are not a good idea and I don't use them.

I've never had a CA hinge fail (Radio South Hinges) but I have had both of
the others break. I also like how easy they are to install and how little a gap
they leave.

tommy s

PS: Radio South makes CA hinges for the large planes , just ask for 1/4 scale hinges.

Not all ca hinges are the same. The ones that come with your ARFs are not going to hold up as well as good ones (Radio South). But I think in high vibration environments (gas engines) Robarts or DuBro pinned hinges are going to last longer. In your 40-60 size plane just use good ones and you won't have to worry.

I second the Radio South CA hinges-Never had one break on up to 60 size aircraft.

Just remember that if you are going after large throws (45 deg +) then don't butt the surfaces tightly together. With that much defection you need a SMALL gap so the CA hinge has room to flex. Go back and seal the gaps with covering material or tape no matter what type hinge you go with.

Ed M.

I got almost 90 degrees on the elevators of my CAP232 120 doing that. That gap wasn't even that big. I did seal it though. Of course I'll never get anything near 90 degrees out of the servos but that was where I could get them by hand.

Have a look in the Kit Building forum.

There is a thread in there dealing with problems encoutered with Great Planes CA hinges failing.

The only time my CA hinge fail was that it failed to hold together after plummeting from about 100' straight down. Nylon hinges are fine if you buy the good stuff. Of course the speed of the plane and loading on the control surface will be an issue. I mean I am sure that on something like a Piper Cub that is flown scale like any hinge will do, probably can even stitch it on. CA hinges are the best in terms of ease and reliability. If you cut the slots for the nylon hinge a little too big then you run the risk of that part being weak.

I like the Radio South CA hinges for planes up to quarter scale. I've had ARF stock CA hinges break at the hinge line more than once. But if I am hinging a foam wing, I always go for nylon hinges glued in with epoxy, because I don't want any CA seeping through and eating my foam. I also like the Robart hinge points, and often use them on my kit-built planes.

I've never had a CA hinge fail. After hinging so many control surfaces, I thought I would try pinned hinges. I will never go back to CA. I thought that they would be difficult to install. Not so, very easy. With epoxy there is time to straighten stuff out and easy clean up. The barrel of the hinge ensures a perfect hinge line every time. Think about it, the hinges are free swinging and now more servo torque goes into moving the control surface and less is wasted fighting to bend the solid core CA hinge. Okay the CA stock is thin and it bends easy, but start adding them up and the resistance becomes greater. We're all looking for that edge in performance and longevity in our gear. As tough as CA stock is, it is solid material and the amount of times it will bend are numbered, period. I now use the CA hinge stock to apply epoxy in the hinge slot. BTW, they do fit in the hinge slot without altering. Joe

I have to go with bentgear! I've had ca hinges all the way up to my 31% without failure. Follow everyone else's suggestion and get good ones(Radio South). Use the width of a T pin shaft to set your gap and seal the gap afterwords. On larger surfaces it is important to reduce your distance between hinges. On my 31% I had 9 per aileron! And sealed on both sides.

I've been using Pacer hinge glue on my CA hinges instead of CA and it gives you more time to install
and straighten the hinge plus clean up is real easy. I tried it on some scrap balsa before
I used it on my plane and the balsa shattered before the hinge came out. It also doesn't make the hinge
stiff the way CA does.

tommy s