Hints & kinks

Model Airplane News, Apr 2001 by Newman, Jim

HOLE IN ONE

Many ARF models have a large hole in the firewall to accommodate the tank stopper, but this opening allows oil to blow inside the model. Cover the area with a plywood plate that has two or three close-fitting holes for the fuel lines. Apply a smear of silicone as a gasket, then screw the plate into place.

Johnny Eanes, Ridgeway, VA

STICKY THREADS

After you pull the T-nuts into place with the screws, force a piece of fuel line or shrink sleeve over the screw threads before you apply the epoxy or CA to the nuts to secure them. This will keep the glue out of the threads so that the screw can be removed.

Dick Brundidge, Longville, MN

HOLE TEMPLATE

It's easy to determine the hole positions for that flush hatch. Tape a piece of drawing Mylar or clear plastic over the recess and mark the corner positions. Line up the scriber with the screw holes below, then use it to pierce small holes in the plastic. Move the template to your hatch, align the corner marks and pierce holes in the hatch to make drill dimples.

Bill Dinmore, Montgomery, AL

SEND IN YOUR IDEAS. Model Airplane News will give a free, one-year subscription (or one-year renewal, if you already subscribe) for each idea used in "Mints & Kinks." Send a rough sketch to Jim Newman, cto Model Airplane News, 100 East Ridge, Ridgefield, CT 06877-4606 USA. BE SURE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS ARE CLEARLY PRINTED ON EACH SKETCH, PHOTO AND NOTE YOU SUBMIT. Because of the number of ideas we receive, vie can't acknowledge each one, nor can we return unused material.

LOOSE LEGS

If the hole in the landing-gear block looks worn and has begun to allow the gear to pivot, CA a piece of brass or aluminum tube to the gear leg then drill out the hole in the block enough to create a tight fit over the tube.

Mike Garner, Ponte Vedra, FL

BIPLANE WIRE TIE

To make a turnbuckle adjuster for a control cable, first cut off the hollow portion of a solder adapter, cross-drill the remaining piece to accept the cable then screw the adapter into the clevis. Bevel the hole slightly to remove the sharp edge.

Dave Schwarzen, Festus, MO

HOT TOPIC

To accurately mark engine-- mounting holes in nylon-type engine mounts, select a piece of metal rod or music wire that fits the holes in the engine-mounting lugs. Heat the end of the rod or wire, then, using the lugs as a guide, press it into the nylon.

Art Griepp, Dallas, TX

BUSINESS MATTER

Use the cardboard tubes from toilet tissue or paper towels to keep your plans neatly rolled for storage. They won't deteriorate like rubber bands, nor will they allow the rolled plans to become flattened.

Bart McKinley, Trenton, NJ

FISHY SUBJECT

Use fishing-leader connector sleeves when you install pull/pull control systems. Cut the sleeve in half to reduce weight, then feed the line through the sleeve and servo arm and crimp down firmly on the tube with pliers. Note how the hole in the servo arm is slightly beveled to reduce wear on the line. This connection is very secure yet light enough to make it suitable for small or slow flyers.

Charles Anderson, Port St Lucie, FL

LABEL MACHINE

Clip the mailing labels from your junk mail and catalogs. Add your AMA and phone numbers, then glue it in your model where it can be seen, per AMA requirements.

Matthew Pulzman, Clearwater, FL

NOSE JOB

Make a sprung nose gear log for your model by drilling the nylon mount and assembling the parts shown. Use a no. 88 spring from a hardware store and install it slightly compressed for a preload. Fit a short piece of rubber fuel line or a thick O-ring (a) as a rebound buffer and a tube spacer (b) if required to avoid interference at the bottom end. Be sure you have propeller clearance when the spring is fully compressed.

Terry Barnes, Lithia Springs, GA

HATCH LATCH

To create easy and convenient access to any compartment, simply screw a magnetic latch to the rear bulkhead and glue the steel striker plate under the lid. Affix a piece of plywood to the opposite end of the lid beneath the lip of the forward bulkhead; then you will have an invisible hatch latch and an attractively convenient door.

B.D. Payne, San Angelo, TX