Installing Mechanical Retracts
#1
Installing Mechanical Retracts
First time using any kind of retracts. I'm building a 60" WS Mustang pattern bird from the 1977 RCM plans. ("Miss Kat Bratt") Decided to use Dave Brown mech retracts as they looked real robust in the picture, and they are.
Questions:
1. Should I use wire push/pull rods, or a flexible type such as the Dubro Lazer Rods? (I have both available.)
2. The Tower retract servo I have does a complete 180 from up to down. What's the trick to keep the pushrods from getting caught up in each other?
Any other suggestions or comments would be greatly appreciated.
Questions:
1. Should I use wire push/pull rods, or a flexible type such as the Dubro Lazer Rods? (I have both available.)
2. The Tower retract servo I have does a complete 180 from up to down. What's the trick to keep the pushrods from getting caught up in each other?
Any other suggestions or comments would be greatly appreciated.
#2
My Feedback: (21)
RE: Installing Mechanical Retracts
Answers:
1. I don't think there is room for a flex cable. See how the wire has to bend
down to clear the wheel, and see how little distance there is from the
retract to accomplish the bend ?
2. See the offset on these wires where they connect to the servo arm ?
This offset keeps the rods from hitting one another.
Dave.
1. I don't think there is room for a flex cable. See how the wire has to bend
down to clear the wheel, and see how little distance there is from the
retract to accomplish the bend ?
2. See the offset on these wires where they connect to the servo arm ?
This offset keeps the rods from hitting one another.
Dave.
#5
RE: Installing Mechanical Retracts
Too late.
I had a fixed gear 51 with a similar setup and had to periodically straighten the axles/wheels out. I'm thinking that once I get this one rolling straight, I'm going to try brazing the axles to the struts. Whaddya think?
I had a fixed gear 51 with a similar setup and had to periodically straighten the axles/wheels out. I'm thinking that once I get this one rolling straight, I'm going to try brazing the axles to the struts. Whaddya think?
#8
My Feedback: (21)
RE: Installing Mechanical Retracts
ORIGINAL: Mustang Fever
I just noticed you're one of the Revvers.
I just noticed you're one of the Revvers.
I gave myself #4, and some friends 2 and 3. In fact there is no #1....
....no ego trips that way.
Dave.
#9
RE: Installing Mechanical Retracts
Dave:
Thanks so much for your help on this project. Everything is installed and works great. The left wheel even hesitates while the right one goes all the way up, then follows, kinda like a real P-51. (I didn't plan it, it's just one pushrod is a bit more flexible than the other.)
Bob Hunt
Cadillac, MI
Thanks so much for your help on this project. Everything is installed and works great. The left wheel even hesitates while the right one goes all the way up, then follows, kinda like a real P-51. (I didn't plan it, it's just one pushrod is a bit more flexible than the other.)
Bob Hunt
Cadillac, MI
#10
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RE: Installing Mechanical Retracts
K&S Makes a real great wire bender that you put in your bench vise and its got a good size handle on it. You can bend up to 1/4" steel wire with it and once you get the measuring down pat you will never use another bolt on axle again. No more grinding flats on the struts to fix the set screws on and it always comes loose at just the critical time. K&S sells them for about 30 bucks but they are super heavy duty.
Viper
Viper
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RE: Installing Mechanical Retracts
Thanks to everyone here as well. I am in the same boat so to speak. Am installing my first set of retracts. I read an article once that I cant find now, that said the distance the cam travels on the leg from full up to full down, is the distance the rods need to be apart on the servo arms? Crikey did that come out right?????[X(][&:]
Can anyone offer any comment on this?
Can anyone offer any comment on this?
#12
My Feedback: (24)
RE: Installing Mechanical Retracts
ORIGINAL: bubbleboy
the distance the cam travels on the leg from full up to full down, is the distance the rods need to be apart on the servo arms?
the distance the cam travels on the leg from full up to full down, is the distance the rods need to be apart on the servo arms?