Rudder Hinges Pulled Out!!
 

I was having a heck of a time tuning a large 4-stroke glow engine in a 1/4 scale plane. Tons of vibration and long periods of ground running trying to get it right. Well all of a sudden I notice the rudder has had nearly all it's hinges (CA) pull out and it's just hanging there. The hinges were still there and they just shoved back into the vert stab. So I just re-ca'd the rudder back on. Then I got to thinking that this may not have been a good idea. Anyone care to comment.

Rudder Hinges Pulled Out!!
 

If they were still fibrous, and not already soaked with CA, it's probably fine.
If they were slick with hardened CA, it might not be pretty, someday down the road.

I believe I'd be tempted to toothpick those things, or start over, if I were in any doubt.


EDIT... just noticed you said 1/4 scale.
Yeah... at least I'd be toothpicking the CA hinges.
More likely that I'd remove them and install hingepoints or plastic hinges though ;)

Rudder Hinges
 

This is a long shot answer, but something to check. How far are you moving your rudder?

On one of my planes several years back, I was trying to get max rudder movement, but the hinge line wasn't beveled that much, so in trying for max movement, I was actually pulling the hinge loose with the servo.

Not wanting to change the bevel and re-paint, I had to re-hinge with a looser hinge gap to get the movement.

Rudder Hinges Pulled Out!!
 

Unless you are extremely lucky, CA glues, especially thin CA, don't tend to work twice.

Try it on a piece of wood. Soak the two surfaces with thin CA, let it set, and now try to glue them together.. It's not easy!

For the sake of the plane, re-do the hinges. I would suggest simply cutting them off, and using Robart hinge pins.

-David C.