TIPS & TRICKS

Model Airplane News, Aug 2004 by Taylor, Bruce, Hundley, Will, Terrell, Barry, Ritchie, Gary

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magnetic personality

How many times have you been frustrated while trying to place mounting screws or bolts with washers in hard-to-reach areas, only to have them fall off your driver? A solution is to place a small, rare-earth magnet on the shaft of the screwdriver or hex wrench. Place the bolt or screw with washers on the driver, and they'll stick in place. The closer the magnet is to the tip of the driver, the better the screw will hold its position.

Bruce Taylor, Shasta Lake, CA

gutter gear

You can use a slice from a PVC rain gutter to make a durable, flexible and lightweight landing gear for small models and park flyers. After you cut the piece from the gutter, lightly sand the edges to smooth them, and then drill holes for the axles. The "gear" can be cut to any width and will support models that weigh up to 3 pounds.

Will Hundley, Osburn, ID

easy motor mount

Here is a simple method to mount small motors and prevent damage to them in the event of a crash. Install two dowels through the firewall and into the first bulkhead of your model, and glue them into place. Wrap masking tape around the motor a couple of times to hold it securely on the dowels. Now, if you happen to hit the nose of your model on the ground, the tape will tear and absorb some of the crash energy. The tape will hold power systems as large as direct-drive Speed 400s.

Barry Terrell, Houston, TX

a new angle

Precisely setting control throws on your model can be difficult. Here's a device that makes this job very easy. Pick up a double-arm protractor made by Hempe at your local hardware store; it costs about $6. Set the desired angle (for example, 35 degrees) on the protractor, and then place it on the wing or stabilizer. Move the control surface to meet the angle you set on the protractor, and adjust the radio as necessary. What could be easier?

Gary Ritchie, Olympia, WA