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View Full Version : How to make a tow hook?

Cubby Boy
May 02, 2003, 05:46 PM
I am in need of a tow hook...and fast.

I built a new high start and cannot wait for the UPS guy to deliver me one via mail order.

There must be an easy way to make one but how?

It is for my 20 oz. 48" Zagi glider.

Thanks for your expertise!
Steve Diebolt
May 03, 2003, 03:58 AM
Cubby Boy,

I found this link. Looks like there is lots of good info here!

www.charlesriverrc.org/articles/zagithl/zagithl.htm#Tow%20Hook%20

Hope this helps,

Steve
Cubby Boy
May 03, 2003, 08:18 AM
Great stuff!
Andy W
May 03, 2003, 08:19 AM
Next time, try a non-powered sailplane forum like "Thermal"..
..a
Jack Hyde
May 03, 2003, 08:14 PM
A guy I was flying with bent a paper clip and taped it in place for a tow hook on a THL. It only needs to take about a 5 lb pull to get a 20 oz plane going.
If you have never seen a tow hook then you haven't seen a histart launch. It would be good to see it done before you try it yourself. I guess you can't hurt a Zagi much.
William A
May 03, 2003, 09:12 PM
Cubby, check this out.

http://www84.pair.com/waw/RC/pics/justinvid.AVI
Cubby Boy
May 04, 2003, 08:42 AM
Thats a bungee launch. Right?
William A
May 04, 2003, 01:02 PM
Yup, it's a 'small field' bungee I built for my nephew.
40' of 3/16 bungee doubled down to 20' with 25' mason line.
(the far end is tied to the pile of logs seen at the beginning of vid)

I fabricated a wooden hook from ¼ modelers ply and inset it
into the bottom, about 3" forward of CG.

Wingwarrior 'Raider'.
http://www84.pair.com/waw/RC/pics/justinhold.jpeg
Cubby Boy
May 04, 2003, 05:02 PM
Nice looking wing. Can your nephew fly it?
William A
May 04, 2003, 05:24 PM
He's getting better, hasn't had much of a chance to fly it with school, baseball and the recent weather we've had around here.

For incentive, I've told him that when he gets good enough, we'll drop a motor in it. :)
Cubby Boy
May 05, 2003, 05:55 PM
How many steps should I take?

I have my 20oz. zagi, 50' of 3/8" of latex tubing, and 160 feet of nylon "string".

I understand that for a good launch, I should generate about 5 times the planes weight in pull. I this right?

I don't have a scale to test this.

Once I have the tubing and the string layed out, how many feet will I need to strech the tubing out?
William A
May 05, 2003, 07:14 PM
Don't quote me on this, but I believe it's 2/3rds of your relaxed tubing length.

I just walked back till it felt about right. ;)
William A
May 05, 2003, 07:17 PM
Found this;

"Note: We do not recommend stretching the Latex tubing more than 400%."

http://www.dchobby.com/histart/MSL/index.html
RSCherry
May 13, 2003, 01:39 PM
I stretch mine 200%- if your relaxed length is 50', walk 100' for a total stretched length of 150'. You should throw the plane from shoulder height flat and level, as if you were simply hand throwing it. Set up directly into the wind. The plane will immediately rotate into a steep climb, and level out gradually near the top. Simply fly off the tow ring and let the parachute bring the hi start back.

Bob