RE: Retract strut frustrations
 

Use a brass tube of the diameter that fits in the retract (typically 5/32"). Find carbon fiber rod that fits in the brass tube (probably a little smaller in diameter). Using either epoxy or CA coat the CF rod and slide in the brass tube. When dry you will have what amounts to a composite of brass and CF.

The brass is required because CF does not hold up well to point stress. So that at the places like the retract strut hole and the wheel collar it provides the necessary rigidity. (Plus those gold struts look cool).

What you will notice is that they are more springy than steel (once rolling this is not a problem) what is very cool is the 100% memory. They will either return to the original shape or break..no in between.

BigNed...do I understand you tried this..wasn't sure from your response

RE: Retract strut frustrations
 

No Ozone, I have standard retracts. Im just finally learning to land:eek:[8D]

RE: Retract strut frustrations
 

I have a set of new Bob Violett struts that I don't think I'll be needing- I'll mail them to you if you would like- just send me your address.

Don

RE: Retract strut frustrations
 

Thanks Don,

Sent you an E-mail.

Mitch

RE: Retract strut frustrations
 

I received the BVM struts from Don. Thanks Don! The BVM struts are definately stiffer and made from a different steel than the struts available from my LHS. The BVM struts appear to have some chromium in the composition. I will install and put the new BVM struts to the test. Hopefully I will have have good news to report back.

Mitch

Retract cylinders
 

Say for a '100 lb/sqin, 11 lb force' supplying pressure vessel, how many retractions would a full vessel offer?
Or better still how many seconds would a supply last?

Personal specs welcome.

RE: Retract cylinders
 

I used to use BVM struts exclusively on all my pattern planes (back when I flew pattern actively). I got so tired of straightening the standard struts on Supra gear after every landing or two on my old first pattern plane, a 9.5 lb. (!) Yoshioka Citation, when I was learning how to slow the thing down enough to land. The BVM gear solved the problem so well that I put them on everything else after that.
I don't think I ever had one bend on me, except a time or two when the landing was so bad that it took the retract out of the wing! :D

Rick

RE: Retract struts
 

I am excited to try the BVM struts out, but I haven't had a chance yet as we decided to move around the corner to a bigger house. We close in 10 days, then I can unpack and start flying again.

The BVM struts are of superior quality and stiffness.

Mitch

RE: Retract struts
 

Having had a rare opportunity to spend the whole day with Bob Violett once a few years ago through a mutual friend, and getting a personal tour of his manufacturing facility, his home, and his models, I can say that Bob doesn't do anything half-***** when it comes to R/C modeling. Same goes for his struts. [8D]

Rick