I purchased a robart incidence meter tonight to check my cub wing,i leveled the plane per directions.put the meter on the wing but i find in order to get a reading i have to tap on the meter a couple of times to get a reading, is this comon or should i return this one and replace it with the great planes laser acupoint? is it a better meter .......

I really like the robart. I have no idea about others. I would return it for another robart. At the same time pick up a second. You really do need two in order to accurately setup you wing. On at the root and one at the tip. Taking one off and repositioning it doesnt really work in practice. It works well for taking out warps etc as well as motor alignment.

I have the Great Planes laser meter. I can't compare it to any other, but I can tell you that it works well.

I just used to it match the incidence of the wing panels of a 1/4 scale BalsaUSA cub. I found that I could discern about 1/16 of a degree - the meter has ticks at each 1/8 of a degree. You can discern when the laser falls between two ticks, but that's about the limit.

To verify there is no stiction introducing an error, I give it a little tap, it swings for a bit, then settles. It always settles on the same position.

I was matching the wing panels at the root where they plug into the fuse. I'll use it again when I attach the stuts to ensure I don't induce any warps.

I'm happy with it, and confident with the results I'm getting using it.

I'm cheap... I made my incidence meter. Amazing how EASY it is... (and for under $3 I have an incidence meter and a control deflection guage and a balancing stand for my models... scrap rods, dowels, clothespins and kid's 3rd grade style protractors and just a little bit of thinking...)

The Robart incidence meter is mechanical... and if it isn't vertical... it may bind a little. Its no big deal and may not be a problem with the meter. The dihedral of the model may have you holding the meter at a small angle that is causing the binding. Tilt the meter so its straight up and down and the weighted part should swing freely again.

Guys thanks for your replies,FHHUBER you made a good point, with the dihedral factor.so this is common with this meter,OK now let me pick your brains a bit . I set it up and the left wing reads +2, I set it on the right wing and tap on it a few times its at +4 OK now we no the left wing is lower than the right in the front . my plans for the plane give me no incidence ratings at all i can only assume the right wings the correct incidence its a hanger nine 80 arf. My plane wants to dart left and the elavators are dead even and also my rudder.so i assume this is the reason because i have to give it right aileron to keep it tracking straight........... whats the best way to straighten it out?

It sounds like a twisted wing to me. I would contact Hanger Nine and see about a replacement. I have the same meter and use it all the time. It has worked well for me.

Mark Shuman

I have straightened two wings that were warped with this technique: Clamp the root of the wing to a bench. Twist the wing in the opposite direction of the warp. You will notice wrinkles form on the top and bottom of the wing. Using you heat gun remove the wrinkles. This should straighten out your wing. Be carfull how much you twist you can easily put a warp in the opposite direction you started with - so go easy and use as little heat as you can. Check as you go with your incidence meter. Because I use two I leave them both on the wing throughout the process.

How far out are your ailerons?

FFHuber,
Could you give us some details of your homemade incidence meter pls