Tail Wheel Springs, What are you using?
#1
Thread Starter
My Feedback: (62)
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Vineland,
NJ
Posts: 3,856
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Tail Wheel Springs, What are you using?
I am looking locally at the hardware and small engine shops for those real soft and flimsy springs you might see on a tailwheel setup. Can't find exactly what I'm looking for though. I have a plane with a couple of springs about two inches long, and maybe 3/8" in diameter that are real springy and soft. They almost remind me of a mower governer or carb spring, if you know what I mean?
What are you guys using, and where are you getting them?
Pictures would be a bonus, as there are a zillion different little springie things out there [X(]
Thanks_bob
What are you guys using, and where are you getting them?
Pictures would be a bonus, as there are a zillion different little springie things out there [X(]
Thanks_bob
#2
Senior Member
My Feedback: (16)
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Locust Grove,
GA
Posts: 12,942
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Tail Wheel Springs, What are you using?
Try soldering s stiff wire to the wheel assembly going straight back to the rudder then use an eyelet mounted to the rudder for the wire to go through. Works great and very stiff but flexable.
#4
Senior Member
My Feedback: (3)
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Lakewood,
CO
Posts: 490
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Tail Wheel Springs, What are you using?
you mean something like a sulivan tailwheel? here is the link http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXFV48&P=K ... if you're talking about this stuff then it's great. once you use them you can't leave them, they absorb A LOT of shock when you land, that way it will prevent the back part of the fuse being ripped off
#5
Thread Starter
My Feedback: (62)
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Vineland,
NJ
Posts: 3,856
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Tail Wheel Springs, What are you using?
To be more specific, the setup is on a giant scale with a Haig style wheel assembly.
I do have one of the Sullivan units in the picture.
Maybe I can get a picture of the spring and setup when I get home.
I do have one of the Sullivan units in the picture.
Maybe I can get a picture of the spring and setup when I get home.
#6
RE: Tail Wheel Springs, What are you using?
Whip on down to Harbor Freight - for a few bucks -they have a perfect spring assortment for tailwheels - I like the tightly wound 3/16" dia 2" long ones
I fasten them using big paper clip wire -rebent as needed
nice to bend and plenty strong
I am a cheap *******.
I fasten them using big paper clip wire -rebent as needed
nice to bend and plenty strong
I am a cheap *******.
#8
Senior Member
My Feedback: (11)
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Las Vegas,
NV
Posts: 1,713
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Tail Wheel Springs, What are you using?
My True Value has a full drawer(s) of springs. Anything you can imagine is in one of those drawers. Some True Values' carry things that others don't. If you've got one around you, you might just want to check them out. Although, I know they're a lot more expensive than Dick's Harbor Freight idea.
#10
Thread Starter
My Feedback: (62)
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Vineland,
NJ
Posts: 3,856
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Tail Wheel Springs, What are you using?
I'll have to look for a True Value around here.
Is there ever an interference issue with the paper clip rolling around on the spring?
I'll figure out something sooner or later.
Hooking to the rudder has proven to be an adventrue also.
Thanks_bob
Is there ever an interference issue with the paper clip rolling around on the spring?
I'll figure out something sooner or later.
Hooking to the rudder has proven to be an adventrue also.
Thanks_bob
#11
Senior Member
My Feedback: (4)
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Angier,
NC
Posts: 345
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Tail Wheel Springs, What are you using?
On my Ohio Haigh style tailwheels, I've used pull-pull cables for the tailwheel steering. Once set-up properly it's way more effective than springs. Scott
#12
Senior Member
My Feedback: (17)
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Syosset,
NY
Posts: 695
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Tail Wheel Springs, What are you using?
I use the pull pull cable and a spring. I get the springs at a local hardware store. I was always told not to connect the tail wheel to the rudder without a spring as it will put load directly on the servo. With a 3 servo setup I wonder if that is still an issue or a hold out from days of old.
By the way Where in NJ do you fly Giant Scale?
Rob
By the way Where in NJ do you fly Giant Scale?
Rob
#14
My Feedback: (64)
RE: Tail Wheel Springs, What are you using?
Mark Hale sells the nicest ones I have seen. My friend Bob picked these up for me a year ago at Joe Nall. A little more expensive, but worth it in my opinion. Spring works under compression so do not stretch. Mark's email should be legible in the pics. They work great. Craig
#16
Thread Starter
My Feedback: (62)
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Vineland,
NJ
Posts: 3,856
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Tail Wheel Springs, What are you using?
I also picked up a set from Mark at the Nall because the concept is excellent. Their are a couple of things working against me on this particular plane though. The major one is that builder didn't put any hard points or attachment devices in the rudder, and the springs in the picture won't install properly.
Another observation I had on the Hale springs is that they just seem like the servo will work very hard, and the attachment points may be strained due to the stiff spring. Just my opinion. I know they are a good product.
On two of my planes I have a similar setup as in the pictures. The springs are light and not working the servo, or straining the attachment points as much, that's all.
What I wound up doing was installing the new Haigh setup and just keeping the wheel straight with two springs that aren't attached to the rudder at all. Tried it last night, and it works great.
Thanks for the replies_bob
Another observation I had on the Hale springs is that they just seem like the servo will work very hard, and the attachment points may be strained due to the stiff spring. Just my opinion. I know they are a good product.
On two of my planes I have a similar setup as in the pictures. The springs are light and not working the servo, or straining the attachment points as much, that's all.
What I wound up doing was installing the new Haigh setup and just keeping the wheel straight with two springs that aren't attached to the rudder at all. Tried it last night, and it works great.
Thanks for the replies_bob
#18
Thread Starter
My Feedback: (62)
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Vineland,
NJ
Posts: 3,856
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Tail Wheel Springs, What are you using?
I thought about doing it that way Mike. Does your wheel assembly shake, rattle and roll with vibration?
I was also wondering about metal to metal contact as the Haigh is metal.
Thanks and take care_bob
I was also wondering about metal to metal contact as the Haigh is metal.
Thanks and take care_bob
#20
Thread Starter
My Feedback: (62)
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Vineland,
NJ
Posts: 3,856
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Tail Wheel Springs, What are you using?
bigbird -> Is there any sort of shock absorbing mechanism on that set up?
As RobT pointed out, on the giant scale especially, we need springie things_bob
As RobT pointed out, on the giant scale especially, we need springie things_bob
#21
Senior Member
My Feedback: (1)
RE: Tail Wheel Springs, What are you using?
Bob, it's about as springy as a CB Associates heavy duty leaf spring assembly with all of the leaves in place. In other words, fairly stiff. Of course, the tail wheel wire and tire give a little. The tiller wire back to the rudder has some spring to it.
Ken
Ken
#24
Senior Member
My Feedback: (16)
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Locust Grove,
GA
Posts: 12,942
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Tail Wheel Springs, What are you using?
THis is the setup I saw with 1/2 hinge instead of an eyeloop
ORIGINAL: Big_Bird
Here is a pic of a carbon fiber tail wheel assembly that friend made for me. It is light weight and very durable.
Ken
Here is a pic of a carbon fiber tail wheel assembly that friend made for me. It is light weight and very durable.
Ken