I am about to start assembling a 33% Aeroworks Extra ARF and would like to inquire about opinions concerning hinging.

The kit comes with CA hinges; something I hesitate using on a plane this size. I will be using a 100cc twin and am concerned these won't hold up. I have used Robart hinge points on an H9 1/3 CAP and while they are strong and work well they are a pain to install. I also don't like that most planes don't have adequate blocking to capture most of the hinge. They are very sensitive to orientation to get them all lined up and working without a bind.

I am considering Dubro heavy duty hinges since they aren't as position sensitive as Robarts.

What is everyones experience with CA hinges on this size plane and with the Dubro sytle hinges?

Any other suggestions?

Jeff

Jeff. Have used Robart Hinge points on all my giant scale planes.

Disagree with you, as I think they are the easiest to use of all options.

Use the Robart hinge guide and drilling the holes takes about 5 minutes for a 40% wing and ail. Use a small dremel bit to round out the front.

As far as glueing, go to pharmacy and buy a 10cc syringe. Suck up the epoxy or glue of your choice, insert the point of the syringe, squirt till it comes out, pull back a bit on the plunger, insert the hinge. I don't even use vaseline on the hinges, simply "break" the hinges loose several times as the glue sets up. No mess, no worry. By breaking the hinges loose the points line up appropriately.

I can't think of anything easier, and with a LOT of flights on both pattern and 40% planes, have never had one come loose this way.

Ed

My biggest problem with using the Robarts is the fact the trailing edge capping on these planes is only about 3/8" thick missing the end of the hinge with the ribs designed to capture the glue.

How do you get all the holes in exactly the same place on both the trailing edge and the moving surface? do you make a jig? If the holes are off a knat's aXX they bind.

Jeff

hi i prefer the robart hinges as well i make a templet out of thin wood that matches the wing put a center line on it and drill your holes use the jig on all four surfaces

The robart drill guide is self adjusting. Mark the location of both the wing and aileron, 4" apart, use a 90 degree guide(i use the thing my sander came with to offset a specific angle) Place this on the bottom of the wing with the guide at 90 degree or perpendicular, at the mark already made, and make a mark up and down on the facing. Do this for all marks on both wing and ail facing.

Take the drill guide($5 or so) and drill where the mark made can be seen through the drill guide. Don't drill deep though. let the hinge point make some of the indent into the foam.

This system is almost foolproof. Again, I've had a number of giant scale without any problems.

The secret is using the syringe to force the epoxy or glue into the hole. Trying to drip the glue in with a toothpick or similar results in a very poor bond. By using the syringe, you also spread the glue on the inside of the surface, making the actual bonding area bigger than without.

ed

Did I mention, buy the drill guide from Robart, this is indespensible to this working well!!!!