RTL STAINLESS STEEL ASSORTMENTS
Specialty hardware can be challenging to find, especially if you don’t have a nearby hobby shop. It’s bad enough to find out that you are missing a needed piece of hardware, requiring an impromptu run to a hobby shop or hardware store to complete a project. Often when the need arises, it is after store hours and the project must be put on hold. When you do make it to the store, you’ll find that specialty hardware (screws, nuts, bolts, washers, etc.) can be expensive.
RTL Fasteners have been providing modelers with quality hardware since June of 2001. During that time, the company has developed several bundles of common hardware items to satisfy the modeler who likes to have commonly used screws, nuts, and washers on hand. The two new assortments, one standard and one metric, will please those looking for stainless steel hardware.
The standard assortment ($114.45) is composed of 930 pieces of hardware which includes:
Two plastic organizers
Socket-head cap screws (12 of each size):
2-56 x (3/8, 1/2, and 3/4)
4-40 x (3/8, 1/2, 3/4, 1, 11/4)
6-32 x (1/2, 3/4, 1, 11/2)
8-32 x (1, 11/4, 11/2)
50 each of 4-40, 6-32 and 8-32 lock nuts
50 each of 2-56, 4-40, 6-32 and 8-32 hex nuts
50 each of #2, #4, #6 and #8 flat and lock washers
The metric assortment ($104.55) is made up of 844 pieces of hardware which includes:
Two plastic organizers
Socket-head cap screws (12 each):
M2 x (6, 12mm)
M2.5 x (8, 12, 16mm)
M3 x (12, 16, 20, 30mm)
M4 x (16, 20, 30mm)
50 each of M3 and M4 nylon insert lock nuts
50 each M2, M2.5, M3, and M4 hex nuts
50 each of M2, M2.5, M3, and M4 flat washers
50 each of M2, M2.5, M3, and M4 lock washers
We have always found RTL’s hardware to be of good quality and it easily fills the needs of model building or many other projects. The hardware comes prepackaged by type and size and is easily identified.
We found that setting up the organizers is a snap after you have the dividers broken loose, and they make hardware storage easy and convenient. A felt-tip marker works well to label each compartment for easy identification.
RTL currently offers 16 fastener assortments as well as individually bagged hardware of all sizes to suit your modeling needs. If you like the idea of having all the hardware you need at your fingertips, and at a price you can afford, give RTL Fasteners and its assortments a look.
RTL Fasteners: 708 Battlefield Blvd. South #107, Chesapeake VA 23322; Tel. (800) 239-6010; website: www.rtlfasteners.com
GLUE CADDY KIT
With building season in full force, you might be in need of something to hold your epoxy bottles, CA adhesive bottles, knifes, and pencils.
There are many options out there, but one that caught our attention is Precision Aero’s Glue Caddy. The ready-to-assemble caddy is made from 12 laser-cut light plywood pieces. It takes only a few minutes to glue together with CA glue. Once assembled, the Glue Caddy measures 101/2 inches wide, 3 inches high, and 31/4 inches deep.
The upper surface has two holes to hold round A&B epoxy bottles upside down and ready for use. The middle three holes are cut to hold CA bottles up to 2 ounces in size. Three adapters are included, which can narrow these holes to more securely fit 1/2- and 3/4-ounce CA bottles.
A 3/8-inch hole in each corner is perfect for holding pens, pencils, and hobby knives. The Precision Aero Glue Caddy sells for $12.95.
Precision Aero: 1561 River Highlands Dr., Oconomowoc WI 53066; Tel. (262) 352-6670; website: www.precision-aero.com
EZ ADAPTER AND PULLER
If you regularly fly electric models, you have likely experienced occasional difficultly getting your connector of choice unplugged within the confines of the fuselage. This connection between the battery and ESC can be even more difficult when the plugs are new or your fingers are somewhat numb from flying in cold conditions.
To solve this problem, The World Models has created the EZ Adapter and Puller, which effortlessly separates the plug using a simple plastic clamp that opens outwards. The secret to how it works are the small tabs on each side of the connector. The EZ Adapter Puller slides in between the tabs and by gently squeezing the puller the jaws slide apart, separating the plug without force and without jarring the fuselage, which is common when manually unplugging a stubborn connector.
We tested it with a The World Models two-pin connector and it will also work with the company’s three-pin connector. EZ Adapters are also available for 4mm HXT, T-Connector, and XT60 connectors. The adapters slide over the existing connector and can be glued in place. They can be purchased by the dozen with the puller ($4.99) or just the adapters ($2.99). The puller is universal and will work with any of the adapters.
The EZ Adapter and Puller should come as a welcome addition to anyone who has ever struggled disconnecting the battery inside a model with limited space. The World Models products are distributed in the US by AirBorne Models.
AirBorne Models, LLC: 4749-K Bennett Drive, Livermore CA 94551; Tel. (925) 371-0922; website: www.airborne-models.com
