hinge question
 

What do most of you use for hinges on your pattern ships? Ez hinges or nylon pinned hinges?
Seams like pinned hinges have less servo stress. I'm at the point of installing hinges now. Just wanting some opinions.

Mark

RE: hinge question
 

Mark,

I have a "stash" of Klett hinge points that I use. Easy to install and have a good fit. There is no problem with the Dubro hinges except that they are a bit of a pain to install both from the fitting and the installing point of view. For some reason even if I coat the hinge section w/Vasoline somehow the epoxy seems to get in to the hinge line. I think I'll spray them down w/mold release next time. I don't know where to tell you to find the Klett hinge points as I don't think they make them anymore... but.. search your OLD hobby shop... I'll bet they are on a J hook somewhere...I do know that Eagle Hobbies in Suffolk, Virgina does have a couple of packs... I didn't buy all of them...I'll betcha w/a phone call you can get those.... take care,

Dan
Carolina Custom Aircraft

RE: hinge question
 

I found a box full of klett hinges in my parts box. The nylon seems stiffer than the dubro hinges.

RE: hinge question
 

I love Robart Hinge Points. Much easier to install (be sure to use the Robart drilling jig) and as accurate as any pinned hinge on the market. Plus they're available in sizes to accomodate everything from 1/2A to giant scale.

Dave

RE: hinge question
 

Compared to regular hinges, How many more hinge points do you use per surface? Lets say small elevator with three flat small hinges per side.

RE: hinge question
 

I still do it the old way dubros installed dry, drill 2 holes in each side squeeze glue in the holes and shove a toothpick in and clip the excess off, no glue in the hinge point and never had one pull out.

RE: hinge question
 

Well Heck...I've been doing it wrong...lol...I love those hinges...But the "Picking" of the glue out of the hinge always got to me also....Humm...Your method makes a Whole Lot-O-Sense!!! Thank You...

Ive been using the Robart's + Robart drilling jig...But I think I'm going back to the dubros with "New and Improved" instillation process...lol

Good Thread!!

Have Fun...

Chuck

RE: hinge question
 

Same number of hinges, same places.

RE: hinge question
 

Since this plane is a arf. All the hinge lines were off. I went with dubro hinges and recut the slots to line up the surfaces. I epoxyed them in then drilled a small hole in each. Took toothpicks and pinned them in place. I used thin ca to bond the toothpicks after I put them in place. Worked real well.

Mark

RE: hinge question
 

Per the instructions that came with some model I had, I pushed in the hinges, got everything lined up then put 6 or 7 pin holes over each hinge half. Then allowed thin CA to wick into the holes.

Did this on a couple of 90 size models and have had no trouble. Makes getting the hinges all lined up really simple and accurate.

RE: hinge question
 

Just an FYI, Tom @ Wild Hare suggested "Gorilla Glue" for point hinges. If you put too much in, or add too much water, the glue does foam out. But it's easily wiped clean with a Q-tip & alchol. You just have to keep an eye on them for the first 5 to 10 min.
Now, I unfortunately took the tail off my WH and had a chance to see exactly how well this stuff worked. The majority of the glue (which foams up with the water) had COMPLETELY sealed around the hinge and foamed back into the tail/rudder. Works like expanding foam insulation on the inside, and very light.