TUFF-E hinges
07-25-2005 | 11:08 AM
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From: Basking Ridge, NJ
TUFF-E hinges
I'm building a "Tuff- e", and I'm just not happy with the way/type of hinging they suggest. I can see tape ain't just right. Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Pete
Thanks,
Pete
08-05-2005 | 01:28 PM
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From: Essex Junction ,
VT
RE: TUFF-E hinges
hey Pete,
i've had two tuff-e's now, i'm assuming the one from nesail.com..... your right about tape not being right for hinges for that airplane. i'm suprised that they didn't supply little fabric hinges that they usually do.. there are some modifications that i've done to make it muuuuch better.... i haven't a clue about what level builder you are so i'll just give details anway..
1. hinge ail/elev/rudder with fabric hinges.. if they didn't come with any, just makeshift some out of any kind of fabric.. keep the gap about 3mm.. after, use hinge tape to seal the 3mm gap so no air can pass through.
2. the instructions say to measure from the leading edge some-odd inches back for the perfect placement of thoes long carbon stiffeners... yet all that they are trying to say is to have you put it in the middle of the spar (which runs through the wing).. my first measurements didn't work out, so just eye it and make sure that it's in the middle of the spar and not on one side or the other...
3. i've noticed that everyone flying tuffe's has rudder-wag at higher speeds.. to fix this, i've put a carbon shaft vertically through the rudder, and used three hinges insted of only two.
4. usually someone will whack it in, crash, and tear the landing gear out of the foam, with some foam attached to the lg still... so insted of constantly gluing the lg back on and making it more & more ugly, put a 3" rod through the fuse right over the lg, and just use rubber bands to strap the lg on.. in the event of a hard landing, they will just fold back, and go right back into place when you pick it back up. kinda nice..
tuffe's are awesome, i learned basic 3d with that airplane and it continues to take abuse. i hope this helps anyone who is building a tuffe for the first time.
i've had two tuff-e's now, i'm assuming the one from nesail.com..... your right about tape not being right for hinges for that airplane. i'm suprised that they didn't supply little fabric hinges that they usually do.. there are some modifications that i've done to make it muuuuch better.... i haven't a clue about what level builder you are so i'll just give details anway..
1. hinge ail/elev/rudder with fabric hinges.. if they didn't come with any, just makeshift some out of any kind of fabric.. keep the gap about 3mm.. after, use hinge tape to seal the 3mm gap so no air can pass through.
2. the instructions say to measure from the leading edge some-odd inches back for the perfect placement of thoes long carbon stiffeners... yet all that they are trying to say is to have you put it in the middle of the spar (which runs through the wing).. my first measurements didn't work out, so just eye it and make sure that it's in the middle of the spar and not on one side or the other...
3. i've noticed that everyone flying tuffe's has rudder-wag at higher speeds.. to fix this, i've put a carbon shaft vertically through the rudder, and used three hinges insted of only two.
4. usually someone will whack it in, crash, and tear the landing gear out of the foam, with some foam attached to the lg still... so insted of constantly gluing the lg back on and making it more & more ugly, put a 3" rod through the fuse right over the lg, and just use rubber bands to strap the lg on.. in the event of a hard landing, they will just fold back, and go right back into place when you pick it back up. kinda nice..
tuffe's are awesome, i learned basic 3d with that airplane and it continues to take abuse. i hope this helps anyone who is building a tuffe for the first time.
