I've never been very good at hinging. I ordered a Great Planes hinging machine from Tower. Are these things worth the money? I've seen good things and bad things about them. Will it work with Dubro style hinges? Or with Great Planes hinges? I'm talking about actual hinges, not CA hinges. I prefer the real things, the control surface works much smoother when they are installed properly. I'm gonna start building a Sig Somethin' Extra as soon as the brown Santa sleigh arrives. This will be my second one. Any other tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Gary

They will cut slots for Nylon hinges, but you need thicker blades. Here they are:

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXK266

You also REALLY should have this guide:

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXPU13

Doesn't the hinge slotter come with both sized blades? I'm pretty sure mine did last year if I'm not mistaking.

Nevermind, looked back at my order and I had ordered them separately. My Mistake!

For anyone who despises hinging, here is a great video describing one way of doing it. Works for me.

That video is OK, but now they have that plastic guid that makes using the Slot Machine MUCH easier.

Well, here's my 2 cents. I've used the machine for both the nylon and CA hinges, without the guide. I like the machine for the nylon, because it cuts a wider slot with the thicker blades. But recently, on my SSE, I just cut the slots for CA hinges with my hobby knife (#11 blade?), which takes a little more time, but is really easier than the machine for CA hinges, IMO. I also glued 1/4 tri-stock the the LE of the control surfaces, instead of sanding them down. I know you said that you were planning on using nylon hinges, so maybe the machine will be worth it. And by the way, if you have never used a machine, then make sure to practice on some scrap material before you try it on your plane. The angled LE pieces are tricky, so make some scrap pieces and practice, practice, practice! Good luck.

This is why I can't emphasize enough how important that little plastic guide is!

And if you think cutting hinge slots with a #11 blade is easy, you haven't cut enough of them. All you need is to have a piece of wood with an irregular grain and that slot will be all over the place.

Speaking from experience, Minnflyer is spot on. It is also a great way of slicing flesh, also speaking from experience! [:@]

I agree with using the guide, for a measly $3.99 its money well spent

BTW, the video that JustErik posted shows putting the blades against the balsa before turning on the machine. Before they made the guide, that's how I used to do it.

It is not only dangerous, but you can easily strip the gears in the machine - I did and had to send off for replacements - The only good thing about it is when i went to buy them, I saw the guide and bought one.

" I prefer the real things, the control surface works much smoother when they are installed properly."

AAAhhhhhhh...Finally! Good to hear someone else say this!

I think if I finally decided to get rid of ALL the CA hinges lying around from various kits and arfs, I would use the SnowBlower!

I just used the machine for the first time the other day. It does a good job!

The blades MIN posted (#GPMR4016) worked perfectly for Dubro Catalog #117 Nylon Hinges. There is another blade set for even thicker hinges:#GPMR4017 http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXPT33&P=M The tool comes with #GPMR4015, which if for CA hinges.

I didn't know about the blade guide until just now, but you can do a good job without it. And YES...I will be ordering one as soon as they are back in stock.[sm=lol.gif]

Practice, as mentioned above, is well worth the effort.

Well, guess I have to invest in the guide. Although, I haven't had any problem using the machine without it.
One thing for sure, I have NOT cut enough CA hinge slots with a #11 blade. But the ones I have cut were pretty easy. I failed to mention that I also used this little tool. http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXK336&P=0
Just start the slot with the blade, and finish with this tool. I dunno, works for me.
But, I also like the nylon hinges. I'm still experimenting to figure out what I like best.
I used the Robart oin hinges on my flaps for my Sea Fury, buy that is a whole different story.

For me, my first choice is to use CA Hinges. If it's a big plane, or I just want to get fancy, I'll use Robarts (They also have a drill jig that is a "Must Have" item)

I will only use the flat style pinned hinges if you hold a gun to my head.

You will enjoy your slot machine...probably already have. I needed surgery after slipping with #11 blade to repair index finger tendons I sliced. Check out this:http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.a...slot%2Cmachine

Best of building to ya'

Raynman

I try to use Robart hinges for everything. My new Ultra Sport 60 has them on all surfaces. I recessed the hinges in the ailerons and made tunnels with the wing TE sheeting. Looks like a great way to get a good seal and smooth airflow over the surfaces. The Robart hinges make it all work smoothly.

I'm the flip side of Mike, I need a gun to my head before I use CA hinges. I just never cared for them. They work OK, I just never liked them?? My slot machine came to me with only one side working and I hated it until one day I used someone elses that was working correctly and they are pretty good machines. By that time mine was too old to send back for replacement. Took me a while to figure out what was wrong. If I can I use hinge pins these days, much faster and very easy to use on one of my kit or scratch builds. Slots are easier to use on ARFs though. I like to add 1/4 inch pieces of balsa where ever I use the pins for added holding.

The Slot-Machine is a great tool, just don't drop it on a concrete floor.[:@]

and thats why i use robart hinge points. no guide necessary. just hold the drill square and go slowly. and if your a bit off (vertically) its not really a big deal

But if you're a bit off horizontally...

Get the guide. For only a few bucks, it's worth its weight in gold

The guide is an absolute. Make sure you take the couple extra minutes to get the slot on the guide dead center to the edge you are going to hinge. Set it up and try it on some scrap first. Once it's aligned you can cut slots at Olympic speed!!

Dan