Hinges - what works best for you

[brentrob]

I'm about to start a new plane and I was wondering what type of hinging on the rudder, ailerons, and flaps works best for you?

[bobby legue]

The monokote kind where you overlap the glue joints and iron togather two strips about one inch wide. Then you cut them into 3/4 inch slices and reverse every other one. And I also use blenderm tape for hinging.
My two cents,
Bob

[Curare]

I've taken to using old drafting film.

It's mylar and has a frosted appearance.

It's great, it readily accepts CA and is nice and flexible, and weighs nothing. I've been using it for years.

[CloudyIFR]

3M Decorate and Repair Tape.

http://www3.3m.com/catalog/us/en001/home_leisure/-/node_GSJ5GJZ8V3gs/root_GST1T4S9TCgv/vroot_GSHCV1ZFXKge/bgel_GS72N098YBbl/gvel_NH6DNWTCNPgl/theme_us_homeleisure_3_0/command_AbcPageHandler/output_html

I get it at Ace Hardware in the paint/tape section. I've used it for years and have never ever had a problem with it.

It comes in clear, blue, red, yellow, white and black. I believe that's all.

Curtis
Montana

[Dave Moore]

I like hocky tape. It's thicker than some, but tough and lasts. Easy to apply, cheap, available in clear, although it is not truly clear, it's somewhat translucent in nature.

Dave Moore

[FrogChief]

Doesn't anyone use easy hinges??? He fiber-plastic-fiber kind that wick the glue??? After they break in they've always been great for me...

[CloudyIFR]

Doesn't anyone use easy hinges??? He fiber-plastic-fiber kind that wick the glue??? After they break in they've always been great for me...

Nope. They require work! Placing tape is easy and most importantly, it also seals the gap which reduces drag.

[OVSS Boss]

CloudyIFR has the right answer. I have used this material, the clear only, for years on many ships and it is great stuff. I would not take my stash of this tape for any mylar style or monokote type ever. I have even seen this used on a tow plane that Troy lawicki built, and done right it is great stuff
CIFR, thanks for the website.

Marc

[Speedo125]

I use 3M book repair tape. I think I got it at Office Max or Office Depot. Very clear and very sticky. Too wide on the roll, but I block up a razor blade and turn the roll against it to cut the width I need.
I place one strip on the top along the hinge line and then fold the elev over and lay it on top of the stab (or up as far up as it will go if the stab is already installed). I then put another strip along the bottom of the hinge line. I shoot for a 1/32" gap, so the tape sticks to itself along this hinge line, making a double-thick strong sealed hinge. VIOLA! Obviously, this works for flaps and ailerons as well.
I've never had a surface flutter with this method.

[Barnsey]

I've used this tape for many years. Hasn't gone brittle or cracked so far. And made in the US :D.

Just one strip along the flying surface hinge line. That's it.

John

[brentrob]

I usually use the double tape method but I wanted to see if there were any other ways. Seems the standard way is to tape the top and bottom so I'll just stick with that. Thanks guys.

[Joe Minton]

It's all good (so far)

I have settled on plain-old 3M clear tape as found at Office Depot, Staples and similar places. It is tough, sticky, cheap, flexible, available and effective. Other than that, it doesn't have a thing going for it :)

I've used this tape on two three-meter sailplanes, two wings that do over 100 mph at WOT (slight dive) and so many other electric models that I would have to take my shoes off to count them all. Some of those hinges are more than four years old (don't crash that much anymore) and most have sat in the sun for hours 'n hours. I haven't found the need to replace any of them.

I use the same double-tape technique as Speedo125 and have never had a flutter problem.

I believe that all the advice given, so far, is good. There is no magic or necessary tape that one must use, no matter what Graupner might say.

More important is technique. If you use Speedo125's application technique, you shall have a smooth, tight hinge that is reliable and maintenence-free.

Joe

[nuevo]

I have used the 3m 170 mentioned and the 3m book tape too, as well as many others over the years.

I gave up on tape hinges several years ago, and no regrets. For me, the tapes all seem to last 1 year and are a big mess to get the gunk off. Have to experiment with what solvent takes the tape goo off. I used to bag my own wings and some solvents mess up the paint.

I've gone to silicone hinges. Described here:

http://www.rc-soar.com/tech/silicone.htm

It takes a bit of practice to get the amount of silicone right. Too much and you have a stiff hinge. Cut it off with a razor & try again. Good part is if the hinge ever tears, cut it off with a razor and rehinge. No messing up your paint finish, and no tape bumps on the outside of the hinge. Almost invisible.

Well, that's what I do. YMMV.

[OVSS Boss]

I trust silicone too, but only on surfaces that are not faced with foam. On my Insanities I use silicone on the rudder, but tape on the wing. The stuff to remove the goop is prepsol solution I get from Jerry Shape at his NAPA store.

Marc

[nuevo]

Yes, thanks for that comment Marc. You have to face the hinge surface with FG or wood. The silicone won't stick to blue/gray/pink foam. Silicone is a bit more work. To me it's worth it.