92 MODEL AVIATION
Demountable Hinges allow for removable surfaces on a model
? Frequently Asked Questions Bob Aberle | [email protected]
Also included in this column:
• Circle cutters revisited
• Kyosho 18-gram RTF model
• Vintage RC equipment collector
• Laser-cut wood wheels
• Cutting machine screws
• Another plans service
Hobbico’s inexpensive adjustable circle
cutter can make circles up to 6 inches in
diameter. It comes with six extra blades.
Fourmost Racing Products has been
selling these molded-plastic demountable
control-surface hinges for years.
Kyosho’s 18-gram micro electric-powered Cessna 210 is intended
for indoor flying and operates on 2.4 GHz spread spectrum.
The Olfa circle cutter can make lightening holes in wood,
plastic, or balsa. It is adjustable for diameters up to 6 inches.
THIS IS THE 41st monthly column in
which I try to give you the best possible
answers to questions you have written or
E-mailed to me. Each new inquiry is given
a sequential number for future reference.
Many questions and answers have been
posted to the AMA Web site at www.mo
delaircraft.org/mag/faq/index.asp.
Unfortunately that posting stopped in
August 2005 and will not continue until
this section of the AMA Web site is
revamped. In the meantime, if you can’t
find the subject matter you are interested
in, drop me an E-mail or letter and I will
try to assist you.
When you send me an E-mail and expect
an answer, please make sure any spam
protection program will accept my reply. I
wrote a lengthy answer to a reader’s E-mail,
and it was continually rejected because of his
protection program. The only alternative is to
provide your mailing address and I will
respond via the postal service.
Q306: “I know you favor the SR Batteries
gapless hinge tape, but I have one problem
with that: once applied, the control surface is
‘fixed for life.’ In other words you can’t
remove a control surface for adjustment or
replacements purposes.
“Is it possible that somewhere on the
hobby market there is a demountable hinge
that can easily be separated and then
rejoined?”
A306: There is a product that will fit your
needs. It has been on the market for well
more than 20 years; it just isn’t advertised
much. A “Demountable Hinge” is
available from Ralph Cooney at Fourmost
Racing Products (in Oregon). You can find
the product at www.fourmost.com/
dmnt_hg.htm.
This gapless nylon hinge permits the
modeler to easily remove the control
surfaces from an aircraft. The hinges are
sold in 12 6-inch lengths in a package. A
.032-inch-diameter wire holds the hinge
pieces together. The nylon material can be
attached to the model and flying surfaces
with cyanoacrylate glue. See the Web site
for more details.
Q307: “Bob in FAQ number 271 you
talked about making lightening holes in
08sig3.QXD 6/22/07 10:54 AM Page 92
THIS IS THE 41st monthly column in
which I try to give you the best possible
answers to questions you have written or
E-mailed to me. Each new inquiry is given
a sequential number for future reference.
are right; several private collections of such
equipment have been around for a long
time.
A collection that comes to mind is that
of Ed Crotty and his 12-year-old son,
Edward. They have more than 800 RC
systems, and that figure is constantly
growing. If you have something Ed needs,
I’m sure he would be happy to accept it.
You can contact him at Box 18478,
Cleveland Heights OH 44118; Tel.: (216)
371-5136. He plans on publishing an
informational article about his collection.
It may evolve into a book or his files and
photos might be placed on one or more
DVDs.
Q310: “I’m familiar with several brands
of commercially available micro size
wheels suitable for indoor RC and
lightweight parking lot flyers. But I
understand that there are now laser-cut
wood wheels available. Can you refer me
to the source?”
A310: Bob Selman designs in Carthage,
Missouri, has become one of the primary
suppliers of micro/indoor RC equipment
and accessories. He recently introduced a
series of laser-cut wood wheels in fiveand
eight-spoke versions.
These wheels include molded plastic
axles, making installation easy. I have
included a photo with this column. You
can find the details by going to www.bsd
microrc.com and then selecting “Wheels”
from the menu on the left side of the screen.
Q311: “I’ve read your suggestion on using
a Dremel rotary tool with a cutoff wheel to
cut down long machine screws to more
usable lengths.
“My problem when doing this is that
the threads at the end of the screws get
slightly mashed or damaged in the cutting
process. The result is that it becomes
difficult, or in some cases impossible, to
get a nut to thread onto the cutoff screw.
Has anyone come up with a better idea?”
A311: This is one time when a reader
supplied my answer. AMA member Andy
Griffith E-mailed me recently and
described a technique he uses to avoid this
problem of “mashed” threads when cutting
down machine screws. I’m hoping that the
accompanying photos will help explain
this technique.
Andy places the machine screw’s head
in a bench vise. Then he screws a T-nut
onto the machine screw’s threads. The flat
disc end of the T-nut goes on last.
He positions the T-nut to the point
where he wants to make his cut with the
Dremel rotary tool. The T-nut helps
maintain the cutoff wheel at exactly the
position he wants.
After the extra length of the screw falls
off, Andy waits a few seconds for it to
cool. Then he backs off the T-nut. In
doing this, any mashed threads are
“realigned” or smoothed out. After that it
should be easy to use that machine screw
for any application.
Thanks, Andy!
Q312: “I have collected all kinds of fullsize
plans over the years while
participating in the wonderful hobby of
model aviation. To me it is like a hobby
within my hobby. Although I have a large
collection, I like to keep adding as any
new service becomes available. Do you
know of any ‘new entries’ in the plan
service business?”
A312: I always start to answer this
question by referring to AMA’s wonderful
plans service, which includes the famous
John Pond collection. But as you point
out, there are many such services.
I recently came upon a new source at
www.fullsizeplans.com/index.asp. I found
this service on one of the model forums.
The announcement read:
“If you like building model airplanes
or just looking at plans you should check
out my website of new production full size
plans. We specialize in those old classics
and out of production kit plans reproduced
in full size. A subscription service for
these plans is available at reasonable
prices.”
I have yet to sign up for this service.
Let’s hear some reports if you beat me to
it! MA