I don't know if this has ever been posted, but for those new to the hobby. Buy a cheap little pencil sharpener (the little one's that have one to two holes) and put in your flight box. Then when you have to install a new nylon bolt (be it the wing bolt or landing gear), cut it to length and just sharpen the end up a little. It makes inserting the bolts easy as pie. The threads do not get messed up, and your ready to go.

Takes a half a second to roll the edge on a sander.

bassfisher

Thanks- thats a good tip.

Bassfisher, I second that thanks. I like the way the tips don't require any cleanup after they are pointed.

Ed M.

Lopping off the tip of the bolt at about a 45 degree angle works well too. It's easier with a Stanley type knife than with a small hobby knife. No dressing up of threads is needed. The bevelled end finds it way into the nut and the bolt catches threads and lines itself right up.

Related point: many modelers use nylon bolts that are too big. I have seen .20 size models with two 1/4-20 bolts! If you hook a wingtip on landing these will tear up the fuselage. I use two 8-32 bolts on .40 to .50 size sport warbirds. This size bolt on this size airplane will shear like it's supposed to if the ground attempts to twist the wing off the fuselage but it will hold the wing on just fine under tension against aerodynamic loads.

Who takes a sander to the flying field?

???What????Who said anything about taking one to the field?

The Original post mentioned that the pencil sharpener was small enough to be kept in your flight box. I think He was referring to cutting nylon bolts at the field. I hit mine on a sander when I'm at home. His tip is handy for when you are flying.

Bob

I have always used a side cutter (like a pair of pliers for cutting wire) to cut nylon bolts to size. Thirty years and I do not recall a problem installing them.

Just because you have been doing a certain way doesnt mean that there isnt a better way.

Villa, no telling how many wing bolts and body post I have cut off using a pair of side cutters, almost all of the time with good results. I have also sanded many, rounding/pointing the end for easier starting. If you will give the pencil sharpner a try, you might just find out you like it. If not, what have you lost?

Ed M.

Now that I think about it, if you sharpen it all the way down you get a true point. All the Nascar bodies I mounted over the years and a spare set of sharpened off body post would have made it so much easier. Where was this tip when it would have caused me to think of that!!!!!!