Barring a specific hinge type, that a model will ask for; What hinge type preference do you prefer? CA hinges, standard nylon hinges, hinge points, standard metal hinges, etc...

I am partial to hinge points.

I preffer nylon pinned hinges but perhaps the easiest to install are the plastic ones that wick the Ca into the balsa. Whichever you use be sure to keep the hinge line tight.

The EZ hinges, if done properly are hard to beat. Kevlar "skin" hinges with the weave at a 45 degree bias are the cleanest.......that is if you like totally invisible hinge lines. Trouble is that they are too stiff for most sport flyers.

I'm with Nathan, I prefer to use hinge points. I like them because it's easier to close the gap in control surfaces when using hinge points. Makes for a nice tight fit that doesn't need to be sealed with covering. When I have a choice, this is all I will use. In fact, any kit that I build I will usually replace the supplied hinges and use hinge points instead.

Ken

I'd rather install CA hinges, fly and repair pinned Nylon and look at Robart hinge points.

Most of my models have CA hinges (I get the good ones from Bennett Built) but I have one on the bench now using removable brass pinned hinges. I flight I notice no difference. But if you ever want to re-cover or repair the removable hinges make life better.

in 40-60 sized arfs i usually use the ca hinges,,,,but anything bigger robarts and gorilla glue are the only way i go

The real beauty of our hobby is that there are often at least two ways to do a job the "best" way.

Good CA hinges are excellent.

And hinges like Dubro flats are just as easy to install nowadays thanks to hinge glue.

My vote is for good quality CA hinges AND Dubros installed with hinge glue. They're both as easy and fast to install, and are close to bulletproof.

I also prefer CA hinges and agree that when installed [link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/magazine/article_display.cfm?article_id=55]properly[/link] they work great.

My second choice is Hinge Points. I avoided these for many years, but once I used them, I loved them.

The flat, nylon hinges with a pin are my least favorite and I would replace them if I got them with a kit/arf

Guys, this is a good subject but I think it will be much better if you include some pictures of the one you like or dislike so we could make better future purchase. For example, I am not sure what is a hinge point.

Thanks,
Séb

http://www.rcuniverse.com/magazine/a...article_id=269
http://www.robart.com/Hinge.aspx
http://www.robart.com/how_to/hinge_points.aspx

I like hinge points best followed by pinned plastic/nylon installed with Hinge Glue http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXCX67&P=ML

Ok, I just found what is a hinge point, in fact I have them install on my Super Sporster 40. So here is a picture of the hinge point and a Dubro Nylon hinge. Minnflyer, is this the type of flat nylon hinge that you dislike ? If yes, why ? So far I like them but I don't have a lot of experience. Let me know and post a picture of the type you dislike if it's not the same ( hopefully not the Dubro type because I have more in order ! ).

Sorry but an other question comes to mind :

I see in one thread the use of Hinge Glue. In all the ARF I have done they ask for epoxy to glue the hinge and this is what I've been using. Would it be better to use the Hinge Glue instead ? I guess it might mainly be more practical to avoid making many small epoxy mix or having to work fast. What is the main advantage of the Hinge Glue ?

Thanks again,
Séb

I've used the pacer hinge glue and I like the way it grabs fast. Easy to clean any overflow and seems to penetrate the wood well. JMHO. Did some test on using it for CA hinges. Does not workwill not wick in.

Hinge Glue is NOT for CA hinges. There is a reason why they call them "CA" hinges. THIN CA at that.

Hey Bruce Had to try it on some scrap pieces. Ya, never know it might have worked. But it didn't, so now I know. When one can't use CA you start looking for alternatives.

Wow, I didn't know hinge points were that popular; I may have to start looking into those... [sm=thumbs_up.gif]

What glue are you using with the hinge point; gorilla or Pacer?

First choice: hinge points.
Second choice: CA hinges.

I use a lot of the Dubro flat nylon hinges. I use 5 minute epoxy to set them and I have never had a problem with them. The ones that have pulled out in a crash have taken huge chunks of balsa with them. I do things a bit different though when I use them. I prep each hinge by applying a fine line of wax via an Xacto blade and alcohol burner prior to setting the hinges. I have some red sprue wax from my jewelry days and it is somewhat flexable and the red color is easy to see. I flow a very small amount of this wax along the hinge line, from both sides and then set the hinge aside while I prep the rest. I apply the 5 Minute expoxy with a thined hardwood stick so I can push some in the slot prior to setting the hinge. I then wet both sides of one tab and push it into place and wipe down any squirt out. I can do four to five hinge halfs at a time before the epoxy starts to kick. This is important as you set all the hinges in one half of the wing then the next epoxy batch installs the aileron. I come back with an xacto knife after the expoxy has started to kick but before it really hardends and scrape any flow onto the hinge off. The wax prevents the epoxy from getting into the hinge pin, and is still stiff enough that you won't smear it around on the wood like you might with vassoline. It really cleans up nicely. And as I have said, I've never pulled one out, even in a very hard crash.

I've got 1/4 and a 1/3 scale kits waiting to be built, and on those, I'll use the Robart hinge points. I'll set them the same way though.

Don

Has anyone here, mixed their hinge types for a particular build or assembly? like CA for rudder and elevator and hinge points for lerons?

Yes, bassically on many WWII planes you may combine some type of hinges for different purposes, been the most different of all, the flap type of hinges which can be made of wood. In my experience all kind of hinges have worked just fine when they all are properly installed. Hinge points are nice, Ca hinges aren't that nice but work the same and are a lot cheaper. In a sport plane I would use CA hinges, in a scale plane I could use a mix of them.

I only use the plastic type with the metel pin between the 2 halves and hinge glue. I also pin the hinges after with round tooth picks and wood glue. Never had one pull out. The hinge glue is very easy to use, holds tight, and no mixing is involved.