tower hobbies glow engines
10-30-2012, 03:47 PM
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tower hobbies glow engines
hello all, just wondering who makes the glow engines for tower hobbies, what is everyones experience with them. i know o.s. is or has usually been the bench mark for glow engines, but they are usually twice as much as everyone elses. ie. ( evolution / tower hobbies / super tigers ) looking for a good replacement to put into my hobbico hobby star .60 trainer and make it much more of an advanced trainer 
thinking about the .75 sizes ?
thanks again for all the upcoming info, help
thinking about the .75 sizes ?thanks again for all the upcoming info, help
10-30-2012, 04:42 PM
#2
RE: tower hobbies glow engines
Tower engines are good stuff, if you can find a .75 buy it! You can find them on flea-bay every now and then. My .46 has been bullet proof, it's about ten years old and still runs strong.
10-30-2012, 05:28 PM
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RE: tower hobbies glow engines
I have only used the .91 but I started using the SK sold by Kangke instead of the OS. I do have one of the .80 but haven't used it in a plane yet. The .91s are about $100.00 with a muffler. These are low RPM high torque engines and not something used for racing. They do through a big prop too.
10-30-2012, 05:31 PM
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RE: tower hobbies glow engines
I can vouch for the reliability of the TH.75....I have had one for 6 years and it is absolutely bullet proof. Would buy another but they are not available anymore I think.
They were made in China in the same factory as GMS, that have now been discontinued....sad as I have a few of them and they have been great also.
They were made in China in the same factory as GMS, that have now been discontinued....sad as I have a few of them and they have been great also.
10-30-2012, 06:34 PM
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RE: tower hobbies glow engines
I had a Tower Hobbies .46 and it ran like a champ. Remarkably powerful and it fly my Kaos .40 with authority in its factory state. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another one. There was some RCM article published some years ago that ranked the engines (the .46 and .61) pretty high on performance and quality. It's what convinced me to give them a go and hadn't regretted my decision ever since.
But like most engines, if you take care of them and tune them right, they will last a long time. Neglect them and it will be a short lived experience. The OS engines seem to handle neglect better with their added quality engineering.
i know my engines and take care of them and that's why they last as long as they do... Hobby money is tight these days, so the extra effort helps stretch my limited dollars..
But like most engines, if you take care of them and tune them right, they will last a long time. Neglect them and it will be a short lived experience. The OS engines seem to handle neglect better with their added quality engineering.
i know my engines and take care of them and that's why they last as long as they do... Hobby money is tight these days, so the extra effort helps stretch my limited dollars..
10-30-2012, 08:04 PM
#7
RE: tower hobbies glow engines
ORIGINAL: brhinaz
looking for a good replacement to put into my hobbico hobby star .60 trainer and make it much more of an advanced trainer thinking about the .75 sizes ?
looking for a good replacement to put into my hobbico hobby star .60 trainer and make it much more of an advanced trainer
thinking about the .75 sizes ?
Then without a doubt the engines I would reccomend are either the OS .55AX or the OS .65AX. That .65 is an amazing workhorse and I am using one a cross country floatplane that carries 72 ounces of fuel and it handles that load with authority. It also has demonstrated to me unprecidented reliabilty. There is a very real reason they are more expensive. Also consider there is a reason why tower no longer sells the Tower rebranded chinese engines. You only need to use your imagination. My suspition is the actual manufacturer was the same company that produces the SC brand sold in the UK and the asian market as well as a number of other rebranded engines.
John
10-31-2012, 08:32 AM
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RE: tower hobbies glow engines
Hi!
They are Chinese made!
SK , ASP, Kyosho, SC are all very good engines. All are ABC engines and all produce good power, some in fact are more powerfull than the same size OS engine (ASP/Kyosho.40-.46).
The Kyosho .40 GX turns a 10x6 RAM at around 14000rpm. The SK .40 turns the same prop at 13700rpm using 80/20 fuel and both engines have instant throttle respons and are very reliable.
They are Chinese made!
SK , ASP, Kyosho, SC are all very good engines. All are ABC engines and all produce good power, some in fact are more powerfull than the same size OS engine (ASP/Kyosho.40-.46).
The Kyosho .40 GX turns a 10x6 RAM at around 14000rpm. The SK .40 turns the same prop at 13700rpm using 80/20 fuel and both engines have instant throttle respons and are very reliable.
10-31-2012, 09:40 AM
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RE: tower hobbies glow engines
ORIGINAL: jetmech05
OS I believe...I ran one for a few years
OS I believe...I ran one for a few years
These are Chinese engines, I believe the O.S. are Japanese made.
The GMS and Tower engine parts are and were interchangeable.
K&B used to stock parts for the GMS engines that I often used on the Tower engines.
10-31-2012, 11:13 AM
#11
RE: tower hobbies glow engines
Endemic with most of the cut rate and rebranded engines has always been a lack of consistancy. Thats just another way of saying poor quality control. Some will be fine and many more will not. Reducing quality control standards is simply an easy way to reduce costs. So you pay your money and take your chances.
Since the poster seems to be a relitively new flyer the OS engine makes a lot of sense, these are the people who will benefit most from very consistant and just about the best user friendlyness out there and in particular the AX series.
I could care less about absolute max power and to brhinaz The 65AX will indeed make your sixty sized trainer set up and sing. And you will experiance outstanding reliability.
John
Since the poster seems to be a relitively new flyer the OS engine makes a lot of sense, these are the people who will benefit most from very consistant and just about the best user friendlyness out there and in particular the AX series.
I could care less about absolute max power and to brhinaz The 65AX will indeed make your sixty sized trainer set up and sing. And you will experiance outstanding reliability.
John
10-31-2012, 11:56 AM
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RE: tower hobbies glow engines
Too bad the T.H. engines are no longer made.
They were ( and still are if you have one ) reliable and a great value for the money.
They were real stump pullers too.
I can't complain about any quality control issues over a dozen or so engines.
The SuperTigres seem to have taken over the niche at Tower once occupied by the GMS clones.
Can't fault the O.S. engines too, especially for a beginner.
They were ( and still are if you have one ) reliable and a great value for the money.
They were real stump pullers too.
I can't complain about any quality control issues over a dozen or so engines.
The SuperTigres seem to have taken over the niche at Tower once occupied by the GMS clones.
Can't fault the O.S. engines too, especially for a beginner.
10-31-2012, 11:58 AM
#13
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RE: tower hobbies glow engines
Don't waste your time shopping for glow engines. Go with OS but remember they sell good and better engines. The LA series are good rated and the FX are the best. Shop on RCuniverse for a NIB model and don't pay the asking price. Glow engines because the cost of fuel is so high are being replaced by gas powerplants. Don't buy a used engine I have been down that road.
10-31-2012, 01:17 PM
#14
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RE: tower hobbies glow engines
The early Tower engines had a big problem with an intake leak on the carb, it took time but they fixed that. The early OS FX line had a bad problem with the chrome peel of the cylinder, it took less time but OS fixed that problem. The SK engines I use are ringed with a tapered cylinder but as John mentioned, the engines from China can and do have a quality control problem. I had the crank pin break in one SK .91, the engine was new and it only took a week to get it back from the warranty service. I was told by the service rep all the engines from China do suffer a quality problem.
The new AX line of engines from OS can't be beat except for the price. I even like the TT PRO series of engines and when I was using the smaller engines I had great luck with them too.
Someone new to the Hobby should go with OS if they can afford it, you can't beat the quality and service if something does go wrong. Service and quality are worth the money. Those of us that have been in the hobby a while can get away with some problems but for new to the hobby people they should have trouble free equipment, that is OS.
If money is a big problem then there are some good choices offered here.
The new AX line of engines from OS can't be beat except for the price. I even like the TT PRO series of engines and when I was using the smaller engines I had great luck with them too.
Someone new to the Hobby should go with OS if they can afford it, you can't beat the quality and service if something does go wrong. Service and quality are worth the money. Those of us that have been in the hobby a while can get away with some problems but for new to the hobby people they should have trouble free equipment, that is OS.
If money is a big problem then there are some good choices offered here.
10-31-2012, 02:31 PM
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RE: tower hobbies glow engines
Thunder Tiger also makes a great engine at good prices. Ive heard from more than one reliable source that thunder tiger engines are designed by a former OS engineer. Im not claiming that, but after running several of them it wouldn't surprise me at all.
10-31-2012, 05:23 PM
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RE: tower hobbies glow engines
i have several tower 46 engines and os 46 engines the tower engines will run circles around os engines, but os engines are much easier to run and tune. also have several 55 ax motors which are nice easy to tune runners, but my webra speed 50 and 55 gt's will blow the os 55s away. if you are a newbie, get an os engine for ease of use
10-31-2012, 07:31 PM
#17
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RE: tower hobbies glow engines
The previous Tower Hobbies engines were made by MECOA right here in the good ole USA. The company is Model Engine Company of America there in California and they had the contract to make the TH engines for Tower Hobbies. Also the TH engine has a striking resemblence to the GMS engines but it is a known fact that MECOA made the Tower Hobbies engine for Tower Hobbies.
See MECOA makes and has rights to make K&B, RJL, HB, HP, Fuji, GMS, and MECOA 40 and use to make 60 size engines and various of other "older style" engines simular to the old style ignition engines. Randy Linsalto (I hope I spelled his name right sorry if I didnt) and his wife Lin own and operate MECOA. From what the web site shows is that MECOA has had to move to another location so maybe perhaps some time soon that they will start production of the TH engines and other engines that they are famous for. I'm not a K&B engine fan but I have had the want to getting me a K&B 60 engine and send it to Clarence Lee for his mod that he does to the 60 engine.
Just for a added tidbit Clanence Lee had a hand in making or creating the K&B engine that was a quickie 40 size engine that as soon as the engine was built the engine was started and had a "RPM Goal" and if that engine didnt meet that minumum rpm the engine was dismanteled and scrapped and another one was built. (Credit to be given to a acticle that I read I believe from a RCM magazine that is no longer in circulation. If it was not RCM then maybe Model Airplane News magazine.)
See MECOA makes and has rights to make K&B, RJL, HB, HP, Fuji, GMS, and MECOA 40 and use to make 60 size engines and various of other "older style" engines simular to the old style ignition engines. Randy Linsalto (I hope I spelled his name right sorry if I didnt) and his wife Lin own and operate MECOA. From what the web site shows is that MECOA has had to move to another location so maybe perhaps some time soon that they will start production of the TH engines and other engines that they are famous for. I'm not a K&B engine fan but I have had the want to getting me a K&B 60 engine and send it to Clarence Lee for his mod that he does to the 60 engine.
Just for a added tidbit Clanence Lee had a hand in making or creating the K&B engine that was a quickie 40 size engine that as soon as the engine was built the engine was started and had a "RPM Goal" and if that engine didnt meet that minumum rpm the engine was dismanteled and scrapped and another one was built. (Credit to be given to a acticle that I read I believe from a RCM magazine that is no longer in circulation. If it was not RCM then maybe Model Airplane News magazine.)
11-01-2012, 04:09 AM
#18
RE: tower hobbies glow engines
ORIGINAL: jefflangton Thunder Tiger also makes a great engine at good prices. Ive heard from more than one reliable source that thunder tiger engines are designed by a former OS engineer. I'm not claiming that, but after running several of them it wouldn't surprise me at all.
11-01-2012, 04:39 AM
#20
RE: tower hobbies glow engines
ORIGINAL: rglgatortail The previous Tower Hobbies engines were made by MECOA right here in the good ole USA. The company is Model Engine Company of America there in California and they had the contract to make the TH engines for Tower Hobbies. Also the TH engine has a striking resemblence to the GMS engines but it is a known fact that MECOA made the Tower Hobbies engine for Tower Hobbies. [...] Randy Linsalto (I hope I spelled his name right sorry if I didnt) and his wife Lin own and operate MECOA.
11-01-2012, 07:36 AM
#21
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RE: tower hobbies glow engines
ORIGINAL: rglgatortail
The previous Tower Hobbies engines were made by MECOA right here in the good ole USA. The company is Model Engine Company of America there in California and they had the contract to make the TH engines for Tower Hobbies. Also the TH engine has a striking resemblence to the GMS engines but it is a known fact that MECOA made the Tower Hobbies engine for Tower Hobbies.
See MECOA makes and has rights to make K&B, RJL, HB, HP, Fuji, GMS, and MECOA 40 and use to make 60 size engines and various of other ''older style'' engines simular to the old style ignition engines. Randy Linsalto (I hope I spelled his name right sorry if I didnt) and his wife Lin own and operate MECOA. From what the web site shows is that MECOA has had to move to another location so maybe perhaps some time soon that they will start production of the TH engines and other engines that they are famous for. I'm not a K&B engine fan but I have had the want to getting me a K&B 60 engine and send it to Clarence Lee for his mod that he does to the 60 engine.
Just for a added tidbit Clanence Lee had a hand in making or creating the K&B engine that was a quickie 40 size engine that as soon as the engine was built the engine was started and had a ''RPM Goal'' and if that engine didnt meet that minumum rpm the engine was dismanteled and scrapped and another one was built. (Credit to be given to a acticle that I read I believe from a RCM magazine that is no longer in circulation. If it was not RCM then maybe Model Airplane News magazine.)
The previous Tower Hobbies engines were made by MECOA right here in the good ole USA. The company is Model Engine Company of America there in California and they had the contract to make the TH engines for Tower Hobbies. Also the TH engine has a striking resemblence to the GMS engines but it is a known fact that MECOA made the Tower Hobbies engine for Tower Hobbies.
See MECOA makes and has rights to make K&B, RJL, HB, HP, Fuji, GMS, and MECOA 40 and use to make 60 size engines and various of other ''older style'' engines simular to the old style ignition engines. Randy Linsalto (I hope I spelled his name right sorry if I didnt) and his wife Lin own and operate MECOA. From what the web site shows is that MECOA has had to move to another location so maybe perhaps some time soon that they will start production of the TH engines and other engines that they are famous for. I'm not a K&B engine fan but I have had the want to getting me a K&B 60 engine and send it to Clarence Lee for his mod that he does to the 60 engine.
Just for a added tidbit Clanence Lee had a hand in making or creating the K&B engine that was a quickie 40 size engine that as soon as the engine was built the engine was started and had a ''RPM Goal'' and if that engine didnt meet that minumum rpm the engine was dismanteled and scrapped and another one was built. (Credit to be given to a acticle that I read I believe from a RCM magazine that is no longer in circulation. If it was not RCM then maybe Model Airplane News magazine.)
11-01-2012, 07:43 AM
#22
RE: tower hobbies glow engines
ORIGINAL: Bax MECOA never made Tower Hobbies engines, and never made, nor had rights to manufacture GMS engines.
11-01-2012, 08:22 AM
#23
RE: tower hobbies glow engines
I have had only one OS engine and will not have another. Way overpriced [:@] and overyhyped [:'(]
When I got my Tower 40s quite some time ago I was told they were made in Italy. They din't look like any Italian brand but they certainlly ran well and reliable.
When I got my Tower 40s quite some time ago I was told they were made in Italy. They din't look like any Italian brand but they certainlly ran well and reliable.
11-01-2012, 12:20 PM
#24
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RE: tower hobbies glow engines
ORIGINAL: rgburrill
I have had only one OS engine and will not have another. Way overpriced [:@] and overyhyped [:'(]
When I got my Tower 40s quite some time ago I was told they were made in Italy. They din't look like any Italian brand but they certainlly ran well and reliable.
I have had only one OS engine and will not have another. Way overpriced [:@] and overyhyped [:'(]
When I got my Tower 40s quite some time ago I was told they were made in Italy. They din't look like any Italian brand but they certainlly ran well and reliable.
The new AX models are outstanding and so easy to tune. But that over priced thing got to me so I gave the SK line of engines a try. There design suites my needs perfectly but like all things, they may not be for everyone. OS is the everymans engine, as long as that man has deep pockets he will have an outstanding product.
11-01-2012, 01:31 PM
#25
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RE: tower hobbies glow engines
Well how about that Bill I for one learned a new something. I do know and I do remember that MECOA did at one time carry GMS engines I remember seeing that web site show GMS engines and had those engines on their "trade in" deal that MECOA had long time ago. So naturally I thought that MECOA made GMS engines as well as TH engines being that Tower Hobbies engines had a very simular appearance to GMS and that the mufflers that GMS engines had also was identical to Tower Hobbies engines so my information was just merely observation and engine comparison with experience on my part.