Ca hinges
 

I've never used CA Hinges but the ARF I'm currently building uses them. The instructions say to drill a hole in the center of the hinge slot, I get that, but, are there any other installation tips that I need to know/or would help? Thanks.

I like to snip a little bevel to the corners and also sink a pin in the hinge line on each edge to keep the hinge squared up in the slot..

There are several different kinds . I like the ones the are sort of a little fuzzy on the outside but don't push them in and out too many times as it will lift the fuzz . there are some others that are sort of smooth on the outside . I find they don't stick as well for me . The ones you cut out yourself out of the bulk hinge material work fine but you need to make sure to drill the hole in the center of your hinge spot to allow the CA to penetrate ..You can shape them as you wish . Get every thing ready like paper towels and maybe some alcohol ,masking tape ,

Like Kirby I usually cut a slight bevel at each of the four corners as well as use the two pins per hinge on the center line as this prevents the hinge from sinking in to far on one side or the other during assembly of the two components. . Of course the pins are removed before dripping the thin CA.

Some hinges come with a slot in the middle lengthwise that is intended to improve wicking perhaps deeper. I have used virtually every type of Ca hinge and this slot or drilling/punching holes in the hinge has never presented any real advantage that is noticible to me and use a lot of CA hinges with great performance.

John

Use good fresh thin CA. It is important that CA be thin and fresh in order to wick properly. I have used a lot of Great Planes CA hinges and never had one fail. I don't drill the hole.

I put a small dab of medium CA in the middle of one side of the hinge before inserting into the slot. This locks it in place so it doesn't shift when you insert into the other slot.
After that wick in the thin CA as usual.

Terry

an oldie but a goodie .. :)
http://www.rcuniverse.com/magazine/a...rticle_id=1180
a whole magazine article about CA hinges... :)

bob62
 

Hypodermic needle and syringe works well, easy to control amount of ca

Sounds like a great idea. I use a syringe and needles for other types of glue. How do you clean and unclog the syringe and needle after using them with CA? Or are they one use only?

This is excellent.
I find CA to be the easiest hinges to install. Hinge points are more difficult to install in my opinion. I have used both and never had either fail.

Syringe and needle only cost is $.25 cents at your local drug store

Great article and video. I watched the video and read the article before installing the CA hinges. One thing I took note of- the instructions for the ARF I'm building says when you put the aileron onto the wing to make sure there's a gap between the aileron LE and the wing TE (prior to gluing). The video and article say to put the aileron on, push it to close the gap, then flex the control surface each way so the hinge slides out of the slot slightly, creating the gap. The install was easy.

CA has solvents. Some attack plastics. Some of the nail polish removers work, A product normally sold with CA is called "UNCURE".
There are plastic throwaway nipples? that attach to the CA bottle, and have very fine tips. I've even used a thin wire or T pin to guide the CA to where it's needed. T pins can also be used to help center the hinge and setup the gap. A small drill bit might be used to create a path for the CA to migrate to the part of the hinge inside the slot, once you know where the hinge will be positioned. (Dry fit, mark, take apart, drill, reassemble, and use CA.) Take the spacing/centering T pin out of each hinge just before you apply CA to the hinge. Plastic tape can be used to keep the CA away from the covering above, below, and to the sides of the hinge, if needed. Just remove it as soon as possible.

"How do you clean and unclog the syringe and needle after using them with CA? Or are they one use only?"

Toss them in a container of acetone overnight.

Les