Has anyone removed Wolrd Models metal hinges before?[sm=confused.gif]

I was thinking about recovering one of their planes but those hinges look tough to remove![:@]

An alternative method is to cut (carefully, with a new blade!) the existing covering close to the hinge line, leaving the control surfaces in place. Then just overlap the old with the new, and seal your gaps. Easier and quicker than reworking all your surfaces, especially if you don't need to.

Another option is to simply mark and cut out where the hinges are and slide the covering through the gap leaving maybe 1/2" extra to trim. Doing this both top and bottom makes for a nice job and really is easier than removing intact hinges. I've done this many times recovering older models or making repairs.

That's a great idea Ram!

Both are good ideas but was wanting to hear from someone that actually removed these type of hinges?

I have not removed them but saw what they loooked like before installation and I would say removal is going to be very difficult as they have barbs that grip the wood and grip more ae they are being pulled out.

Hi, I converted the flaps on my WM Zero 60 to split flaps and had to remove the metal hinges of the existing flaps first. I found that the metal hinges were hot glued in and came out fairly easily by holding a soldering iron to them for a bit. I don't know if this will work for all World Models planes, but epoxy softens too with heat if yours are epoxied instead.