Any Tips on Installing Robart Hinges in GP Wagstaff?
 

Getting ready to start my GP Wagstaff 300 and was going to use Robart hinges rather than CA. Is this overkill?

Any tips on installing Robarts?

Thanks.

Any Tips on Installing Robart Hinges in GP Wagstaff?
 

I would caution against it, since the underlying structure is not known. At least they have enough wood to make CA hinges work, or they wouldn't risk eating airplanes since that's what they say to use.

I used Radio South Pro Hinges (large blue CA type) and things have been just fine.

Any Tips on Installing Robart Hinges in GP Wagstaff?
 

I also using Radio South pro hinges they look nice and this the company that invented them good luck

Any Tips on Installing Robart Hinges in GP Wagstaff?
 

Thanks for the input.

Where can I get the Radio South Pro hinges?

Any Tips on Installing Robart Hinges in GP Wagstaff?
 

Tower Hobbies, Central Hobbies, Radio South, Horizon, and just about any local hobby shop. You want the "1/4 Scale" Pro Hinge.

Any Tips on Installing Robart Hinges in GP Wagstaff?
 

I used the hinge material supplied in the kit. After installation I did a significant pull test with no failures. Having flown another slightly smaller Extra with CA hinges for the past five years with no problems, I see no reason to use Robart hinges. Robart hinges are a great product, I just do not see a need on this particular plane. Another thought is that if you have a surface failure with something other than the type of hinge supplied, will Great Planes warranty it?

Any Tips on Installing Robart Hinges in GP Wagstaff?
 

The comment about not knowing what the underlying material is like should be considered. These ARF's sometimes are built too light IMO. You do not know if there is enough backup material to engage the full length of the Robart hinge.

Vince

I opted for nylon pinned hinges.
 

Although I use CA hinges, when the surfaces are going to have so much throw and suffer the vibration of a larger motor, I wanted the natural flexibility of a pinned hinge. Also, I have had many CA hinges crack (including the RS blue hinges) after long usage and pinned hinges will probably last longer in this application.

Mark

Any Tips on Installing Robart Hinges in GP Wagstaff?
 

I suppose I too am in the minority here also. I agree with Marks thinking of the gas engine vibrating the CA hinges. I went with the Robart 3/16ths all around. Flex the surface to 45 degrees-- take a felt tip pen and mark the place where you want the hinge-- Use the Robart tool to line up the drill bit so that it goes in at 90 degrees-- and that's it. Be sure to use a tooth pick and place Valsaline in the hinge part so that the epoxy does not seep into the hinge.

Any Tips on Installing Robart Hinges in GP Wagstaff?
 

Invented? I don't think so. CA hinges are nothing more than cut strips of electric motor armature insulation material. Radio South may have been the first company to market this stuff as hinge material, but they certainly did not invent it. You can buy the stuff at any large electrical supply house.

John

Any Tips on Installing Robart Hinges in GP Wagstaff?
 

There may be "mechanical" benefits to the pinned hinges, but when I have *no* idea what is underlying the covering, it is an unacceptable risk to me to use them....unless you're talking about the "blade" pinned type of hinges...those are a different story, but WHO MAKES THEM now, with Klett gone????

Any Tips on Installing Robart Hinges in GP Wagstaff?
 

Dubro, Great Planes and Hayes all make flat hinges with metal pins.

John

Any Tips on Installing Robart Hinges in GP Wagstaff?
 

My thoughts (wheather wrong or right) are to use the same area for the pin hinges as the CA. If there is extra wood there for the hinge, I want to be using it. Because the cut slots are already there, I am sure to use lots of epoxy to fill in the slots too. I use both types of hinges--but I try to always use Robarts when I use gas engines. (just my personal opinion of course)

Any Tips on Installing Robart Hinges in GP Wagstaff?
 

Dubro makes a pinned hinge, their part number 257. I agree with Aerobob, if you substitute the CA hinge with a pinned hinge such as this Dubro is the best alternative for reasons already stated.

Any Tips on Installing Robart Hinges in GP Wagstaff?
 

The hinges that Sig supplies with their big ARF's are very good hinges. They are large flat hinges with a metal pin that you insert and bend over. The flat portions of the hinge have large X's cutout that allows epoxy to grab on to. I have never had one fail yet.

It's about the only hardware that Sig supplies with their large ARF's that is usable IMO.

Vince

Any Tips on Installing Robart Hinges in GP Wagstaff?
 

Guys, I finished installing the control surfaces on my Patty with the Robart Hinge Point Hinges, as I do not trust the CA hinges to last. Drill the hole where you want them to go, mix up some 5 minute or 15 minute epoxy, take a small rod (like a 2-56 pushrod or smaller) and stick the epoxy in and out of the hole with the rod, wipe off the excess, dap the "barbed" ends in a little epoxy, insert them into one side, repeat for the other side of the hinged area, press them together and let it set. :cool:

Running the rod in and out of the holes builds up epoxy on the inside of the hole, coating the hinge when inserted. Bend each hinge over and dap each side of the pivit it'self with vasoline, or lotion, this will prevent the epoxy from freezing up the hinge after it sets. After it sets up, flex the controls to make sure they will move freely, and scrap any excess buildup that might prevent it.:D

I do this on just about every model I build. The last 2 were the GP Pitts special, and the H9 Taylorcraft, both are ARFs, expensive, and I wouldn't want to loose either of them because of a hinge failure. :) If I didn't think thaat the would hold up, or stay in place, I sure wouldn't be putting them in these $1,200+ models! Just make sure you feel comfortable with having enough epoxy inside of where the hinges go, and you'll be fine.

Any Tips on Installing Robart Hinges in GP Wagstaff?
 

I used the robart hinge points on mine and used gorilla glue (poly urethane glue) to hold them in place. The glue foams as it expands and give a bit of confidence in filling up the gaps created for the ca hinges. Keep an eye on them for a while, use alcohol to clean up the tiny bit of foam over and they set up like steel. A bit of vaseline on the hinge itself will help insure that you dont glue the hinge together. I read in the big post on the wagstaff that a few people had noticed the rudder ca hinges had cracked after a bit of use. Not an acceptable risk for me.