This is a photo from an Ebay ad for a chinese ARF

AAAAAAAAARRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!

he is adding the CAbefore putting the parts together?

Ding, ding, ding! We have a winner!

[link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/magazine/article_display.cfm?article_id=1180]How to install CA Hinges[/link]

It's an excellent picture of someone who has no idea what they are doing.

and the prize is... one of those chinesse ARF's built by that guy on the picture? lol

Here's the whole ad:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Cap-232-40-3D-RC...item1e5a218675

It really doesn't look like a bad ARF. In the assembly pictures, you can see that they used upgraded hardware from what they include with the plane. Other than the hinging, they actually seem to do a good job of putting it together. (Although, I don't know how much CA managed to wick through the covering into the wing joint.)

And I don't think that is a guy

you are right, those looks like female hands

Or at least, female fingernails

In my opinion, what is really wrong is using CA hinges to start with... though I'm really not wishing to sound contrary.

I used them on one model, an Ultra Stick Lite and two weeks ago fortunately noted when they failed so prevented a possible mishap. I'd started the engine and luckily noted some strange rudder movement when picking it up to carry to the flight line. Two of three hinges were broke. If the third had broken and the control wires had held a flailing rudder, it might have gotten dicey.

Failure came at thirty six hours of operation. The effort needed to replace the hinges and the ruined day of flying were not worth the effort savings of their simpler installation.

I have had models with CA hinges for years with no problems. I mostly use Robarts now, but there is nothing wrong with a properly installed CA hinge.

Can't you just pin them if you're worried?

SAme here. I've got planes over 15 yeas old with the original CA Hinges and no sign of failure

You can but I have some split in to, so
the pins where of no use. This was on a
Arf btw.


Bob

Bob, have you read my "Closer Look" article on CA Hinges?

[link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/magazine/article_display.cfm?article_id=1180]A Closer Look at CA Hinges[/link]

I've had zero problems with Great Planes CA hinges and Sig Easy Hinges when installed correctly. I have had the cheapo, no-name ARF hinges fail. Because of that reason and others I avoid those kinds of planes now.

As for the photo, you see the same sort of crap in the instructions for these bargain basement planes. If you know what you are doing you can do OK them. If you don't and you need to rely on the instructions, good luck.

Yea, a few years back I coined the term "Builder's ARF" (a play-on-words of the term "Builder's Kit" ). These are the ARF's that are of good quality, but it's up to you to figure out how it goes together and what hardware needs to be replaced.

As I pointed out, I'm not wishing to be contrary and certainly accept that obviously CA hinges have some general acceptance. It might be that it boils down to application parameters, the size of the plane, the throw of the control surface, and the flight time the plane will get.

CA hinges obviously have a life span that will vary depending on how many times flexed, how far they were flexed and what stress or loads were on them and the particular quality of the hinge.

Admittedly, I do not have any CA hinges on smaller models with less throw that might get flown far less so they may very well serve such.

Awesome! Very well done "how-to" article. Even though I've yet to have a CA hinge fail, I learned a few things in that article! Now anyone have any secrets to share about installing Robart hinges? No matter how careful I am, I always seem to have a little binding when all is said and done [:@]

Mike,

Great article, thanks.

I should have been more clear about the
Arf I refered to. It was Pre hinged and only
one Aileron hinge spit in to.

I admit I was putting a lot of stress on the hinges
also. I was doing Cuban 8's and Hammer head turns
and such. I noticed there was something different at
the top of loops and when i rolled. After landing I checked
the plane over and found the hinge had spilt.

I repaired at home and been flying it even harder and no problems.
btw, I saved your articles for future reference.

Bob

looks good to me? don't see what you guys are complaining about?

foodstick


Now that's a Hinge
Put 6 Nuts and Bolts on it and your done.


Bob

Original photo shows CA hinge. This photo shows nylon hinge?

somebody is fooling with us........

I think that will be a future article