This is my first kit, so I am not familiar with these. They seem a bit flimsy...anway, I have to cut a groove in four places along the wing and aileron. It seems like a touchy procedure. Are there any tips that might help prevent a sticky situation?

Hi,

Try not to put them in and out of the slot you cut too often, as eventually the fuzzy cloth stuff will peel away from the mylar. You want them to pretty flexible to work as a hinge.
The instructions on the back are very good to follow. Remember when gluing them with thin CA, glue both sides. I have used them on fun flys to pylon racers without a singel failure yet.

Stefan

bryris, CA hinges are great! They are very easy to use, but must be installed properly.

Fortunately, it's easy once you know how.

Read this little "How To" it will save you lots of agrivation.

http://www.rcuniverse.com/magazine/a...?article_id=55

Tell me about the alternatives.

Roabrt has some hinges which drill into the aileron and the trailing edge of the wing, these seem sturdier and easier to install....is there any disadvantage to these?

Also available are nylon pinned hinges. Just like a door hinge. Though, like the CA hinges, you need to cut a slot, only it needs to be 'taller' (if you understand what I mean). And then you need to use epoxy to hold them in. This is messy and you can end up sticking the pin in.

CA hinges work well and are easy to use . The only tool you need is an Xacto knife, but there are specialized tools that make the job of cutting the slot easier. Unless you are concerned with scale realism, I'd highly recommend giving CA hinges a try.

Kerry

The first time I used CA hinges I glued them into the control surface, waited for that to cure, then put CA onto the hinges and tried to attach the control surface to the wing. The CA cured before I could get the control surface in place and I was doomed.

Now I get the hinges and control suface all in place and apply the CA to the exposed hinge in the gap. I use thin CA and a wooden Q-tip broken to create a small point. I dip the stick into the CA bottle and apply a drop of CA to the hinge. I do about 4 drops on each side. I've had great luck with this method.

Placing the hinges in the grooves prior to gluing is the correct method. You must use thin CA so that it wicks into the joint. If you stick a t-pin through the middle of the hinge it guarantees that it is centered in the two pieces, and you can run the CA down the pin.

Kerry