So far I've done one control surface on my plane and it seems to be working well. I'm using a little hand drill like a pencil that really works well along with the Robart hole tool. This lines it up fairly well. Then I'm using a dremel with a grind stone that just happens to almost exactly follow the contour of the hinge to enlarge the holes. I'm using a razor saw to cut the inlet on the control surface. One thing I'm concerned with is that the grind stone is polishing the holes more than it should. I might use another tool to put some kinda groove in the hole in the smooth area? Up to this point I'm really pleased at how it's all going together. Much harder to do than CA hinges but the rotation seems really smooth with no binding. I can tell it's going to be sweet!

The plans for the plane Im starting on calls for robarts in the flaps, in fact the holes are already drilled. This will be my first time using them also. Did you have any problems maintaining a "tight" gap? How about keeping the epoxy off the hinge point, any problems there?

Haven't gotten as far as gluing yet. Just have the holes drilled for the elevator. The fit seems about perfect on mine. As far as glue goes I think some people use vaseline on the hinges. I think there are a few other things people use to. I'm not sure how I'll protect my hinges yet. I might try a thicker oil on them to. I'm going to try gorilla glue on the first surface and see how it works.

Fold the hinge, and dip the joint into Vaseline. Then, warm it up with a match (Or a heat gun, lighter, etc) until the Vaseline melts. That will keep the glue out of the joint. It works very well.

Thanks!

Like Mike said, just don't get the Vasoline on the rest of the hinge or the glue won't hold them in.

Along the same lines, i use a syringe filled with vasoline. Just warm it up and then draw it up in the syringe ( i put it in one of those Glade candle holders and warmed from the outside with my heat gun). Once it become gelatinous again, you have very precise control over the amount you use. Put a small amount right on the hinge, then hit it with your heat gun and it'll flow into it. Works great, and it's a neat/clean way to keep vasoline for hobby use.

Spokman, I faced the same problem as yours due to loading of the cone-shaped grinding stone. I am using a carbide cutter I got from micromark.com with excellent results (p/n 60671).

Castor oil works great !

Nice! I like those grinders for the dremel. Think I'll get some! It's been a long time since I built a plane. I've spent more for tools and glue than I did on the kit for this one! LOL! For the next one I'll only need a few more tools.. : )

You're not alone Glad you found the info useful. Good luck on your build

I guess you have to recess the hinge joint somewhat to get a small gap, right?

That's right

I use a #2 phillips screwdriver the enlarge the holes for the knuckle. Just a few twists and the knuckle fits nicely.

The idea is to countersink the hole a little