Mitchell-RCU

My Feedback: (49)

What type of hinges are best for control surfaces? Ailerons, Elevetors, Rudder

Mitchell

Terry Holston

My Feedback: (1)

Robart large hinge points. PITA to install, but are the best when done right.

Woketman

My Feedback: (6)

I second what Terry says. They are the best I have used, so far.

JohnVH

My Feedback: (38)

Just for the sake of asking, you guys using epoxy to put them into wood or ?

CARS II

My Feedback: (7)

I use epoxy all the time works for me never had one come off.


CARSII

seanreit

My Feedback: (60)

I switched to Aeropoxy for hinging robart hinges about two jets ago, I love it and will never go back to 30 minute.

Sean

CARS II

My Feedback: (7)

Aeropoxy may be the way to go, no running.

CARS II

Mitchell-RCU

My Feedback: (49)

Thanks for the help. I'm getting ready hinge everything on my Hotspot. The Robarts are what I used on my ducted fan stuff, but I did not know if they be strong enough with the turbine.

Mitchell

Terry Holston

My Feedback: (1)

You probably used the mid sized hinge points on your DF stuff, as did we all. But I am talking about the "Giant" sized hinge points for the turbines. they are about 2 inches long. (50 mm)

Woketman

My Feedback: (6)

In applications where you have drilled a hole in, lets say, the wing's trailing edge stock and the Robart hinge point will protrude into a built up wing, I prefer to use a regular epoxy, not Aeropoxy (Hysol 9462). The reason is that since it is thixotropic, it won't run, and that is exactly what you want it to do. Before placing the hinge in final position, I use a syringe to inject a generous portion of epoxy, insert the hinge (dipped in a bit more to wet it), and then stand the wing up such that the runny epoxy pools around the protruding hinge portion. When cured, this has the effect of forming an epoxy washer that locks the hinge in place. I'll never forget at Superman a few years ago when the big CAI plane went in when one elevator came off. Mr. Gill had built it and did essentially what I described, but did not set the stab vertical for curing. There was a puddle of cured epoxy alright, but it was not touching the hinge point. Instead it was cured on the inner surface of the lower stab skin.

I am afraid that is you use a thixotropic adhesive like the 9462, when you push the hinge in, you may push all of the epoxy in with it. Since it will not flow, it will just stay at the end of the hinge point or fall over into the inside of the wing.

dbarrym

My Feedback: (47)

Woketman is 100% correct - unless the hinge point is completely encased in solid structure (foam, balsa, etc.), a more 'runny' expoxy is preferred.

I have built lots of open-structure 35-45% models using hinge points and allowing the 30-min. epoxy (mixed with a bit of cabosil or milled fiber) to pool around the hinge point really locks it in.

barry

jetsetter

BV uses the Hayes and Dubro hinges on must of his birds. [X(]

Larry

Woketman

My Feedback: (6)

I have used the Robart hinge points for so long now that I no longer remember any other. What configuration are the Hayes and Dubro? I assume they are flat, two piece, pinned hinges? Is that correct?

Mitchell-RCU

My Feedback: (49)

If I use the Robarts and the balsa is only 1/4 inch thick and there is only foam behind it will it stay? Do you use just the large hinge, or do you use the hinge pockets?

Mitchell

Woketman

My Feedback: (6)

I use either the large or medium Robarts, depending on the application. 1/4!QUOT! of balsa is probably enough for most, but if its a really large surface or very high speed, I'd use the large size hinge points and very hard balsa for the 1/4!QUOT! (and be absolutely certain it is anchored in VERY well, distribute the loads). Just be certain that the hinges are in such that they will NEVER come out. I proof load each surface after installation and have never had a failure. Pull like h e l l on them!

unknown

After aeropoxy the hinges i then pin them. I'm just a little paranoid

Jim Branaum

My Feedback: (3)

Thank you for the remark. It makes me feel better to know that I am not the only paranoid one around hinges! At the very least I pin the outboard hinge on everything. Started that when I lost a 30% bird due to hinge glue failure.

Gordon Mc

My Feedback: (11)

Ditto.

DavidR

My Feedback: (1)

If I use the Robart hinge points, or BVM's new CF hinges I make I drill the hole for the hinge then drill a second hole at 90 degrees to it through the bottom surface of the wing, or control surface. I then fill the hole with aeropoxy, and insert the hinge, then take the aeropoxy and squirt it into the 90 degree hole, this effectively makes a glue pin and that hinge ain't goin' nowhere!