A #7 drill bit is the correct size for tapping 1/4-20 threads if you go by the book,but everybody just uses a13/64 bit.

Later Jim.

I've been putting rubberbands in talc (and kitty litter, corn starch, etc) and re-using them for over 37 years and have yet to have a wing part company with a fuselage due to rubber bands breaking.

I do make sure I inspect all my rubber bands before they go on a plane (including stretching them as far as they go and seeing what the rebound is), and before each flight to make sure none have snapped, or are ready to snap. I've also had them snap while on the ground and in flight, mostly on hotter days when they have been sitting in the sun. Just like checking your wing bolts are tight and controls all function properly before each flight, you need to check that your rubber bands are up to the next flight also.

Hogflyer

Thank you DM, drawings are not neccessary but a few simple pics would be nice If you can,t post them if you email them I would be glad to post them for you.

There were at least three others in this thread that are interested.

John

+2... Would be very interested in seeing the velcro strap hold downs.

I will try to get some -May take a while as Im not the best at pic or computer skills

I have a 25+ year old Sig Riser (2 meter glider) that likely I still have because of rubber band wing hold-downs.  Every landing was a dead-stick; and some were less than graceful.

Those that would talk you out of rubber bands will also try to convince you that metal gear servos and LiPo receiver batteries are requirements.  ;-)


Makes you wonder how folks ever made did with the 'ol technology.


But I'm not keen to go back to the pre-digital trims, model memory, end-point-adjustments and exponential on transmitters.  ;-)

I guess only your opinion counts, right? Come on, now. If I can't offer my verse here, as well as you can, then why even post?

You can use and re-use all the rubber bands you wish. As for me, I'll simply use them once then throw them away. That's my decision and that's what I support. I've never lost a plane due to broken rubber bands and I don't intend to.

Pardon me while I make my next order to Tower Hobbies for rubber bands. It's cheaper than gasoline....

CGr.

Lopflyer..

I hate to admit it, but I did the exact same thing all those years ago when I first started in the hobby.. ( Early 80's.)

Later on I also modified my SIG Kadet MKII with wing hold down bolts.. although when I crashed, I usually took a Fuse side or two with the wing... got good at reparing the sides of the Fuse tho..


Craig.

I throw mine away after a days flying also. I buy mine at Big Lots for .99 a bag. Much cheaper than Tower + shipping.

I get free shipping from Tower, but I agree. Anywhere you can get the #64 bands cheap is worthwhile. We don't have a big-lots close by so I just buy them mail order. Hey, different strokes for different folks. Some want to reuse them, some don't. I prefer not to. We lost our hobby shops at the beginning of the recession and have not yet had anyone come to the plate with a new one. And, I understand that. Its tough out there.
Aaaanyway, it's not a big deal, and, even at $2.88, it's by no means an expense, ya know?

CGr.

Some models, like the redoubtable Lazy Ace Biplane, had rubber banded on wings AND landing gear.

A pretty great idea.

I bolted a wing on a trainer just once. Sorry I did that. Wing hit the ground landing. Tore up the fuse. bad.

Some trainers, the Nexstar for instance, have bolt down wings. However, they also have a break-away mechanism to prevent damage should you have a wing-tip strike on landing (or taking off, for that matter). And they work fine. It's just that most trainers have rubber band hold-downs.

CGr.

MTK on post #17 mentioned spring loaded dowels to hold the wing on. I remember seeing this on "helpful hints" back in a 1960's or 70's magazine that I can't find any more.It seems to me that someone was selling some system for the spring loaded pins too.Any pictures of these? Same as the Velcro. I NEED PICS. I had to laugh at the plane with the two rubber bands. I had a two meter Drifter glider with an .049 on whe I was a kid that I took to the field to fly and found the rubber bands were left at home. There were two in the toolbox, so I gambled. I let my flying buddy try it out because it was kind of boring to fly. It was ok for about 10 seconds and then the wing crept forward and the leading edge up over the lip on the fuse, It kept doing loops that got tighter and tighter until the wing snapped and the fuse did a lawn dart thing and the wing came down a minute later. I couldn't find the motor which I really wanted bad. I searched for a while and then saw the two broken prop blades beside each other and dug in the sand for about 6 " . There it was. It destroyed the one wing panel so I glued the three pieces together and resilkspanned it, and it flew much better with the shorter wingspan, cutting through the wind better and was faster. Anyway I broke too many fuselage formerswith nylon bolts and would like a better clean looking way to attach the wing. Oh and I always put rubber bands on and shake the plane up and down until it doesn't move and then add another couple. Too many bands are no good either if you do hit the ground (not that it ever happens) I always put a few fresh bands on each day but sometimes reusea coupleleckie bands if they look ok. The fuel usually wrecks them. I like the bands from the hobby shop better than the cheaper Staples brand because they tolerate the fuel better.

LOL! All the more reason to go electric!

Ya I know, a friend of mine doesn't have a real field, so he is always bragging about his leckies, he gets bigger ones too. I wasn't really impressed until he went from 3 cell LIPO to 4.  Now it has me thinking too except for my collection/gathering? of motors that I have to use up.