TIPS & TRICKS

Model Airplane News, Feb 2005 by Winch, Brian, Anderson, Tod, Rice, Allen, Nance, Harold

helping hand

Glow plugs that are recessed or hidden deep inside a cowl can be difficult to reach. When combined, a short length of fuel tubing and a piece of inner Nyrod can make a very simple yet effective glow-plug fitting tool. The fuel tubing will firmly hold the glow plug, and the Nyrod makes a handy handle to screw it in. After the plug is seated, use a plug wrench to tighten it.

Brian Winch, Lurnea, Australia

the is on

A lot of prop adapters on park flyers are secured on the motor's shaft with small Alien setscrews. If you use a thread-locking compound to prevent them from working loose, you know that they're almost impossible to remove after the compound has set. To remove the setscrew, place the hot tip of a soldering pencil on it for a minute or so. The heat will break the grip of the compound, and the setscrew can then be easily removed.

Tod Anderson, Las Vegas, NV

sweet smelling

If you forgot to use a barrier cream or Latex gloves when using epoxy, don't use alcohol, acetone, or other solvents to clean your hands. Besides being harsh on your skin, those chemicals always seem to leave a sticky residue no matter how many times you wipe your hands. Instead, use hand lotion to remove the epoxy residue. Just wash your hands with the lotion, rinse it off, and then wash again with regular hand soap. It works like a charm, and your hands smell great!

Alien Rice, Boca Raton, FL

disposable mixing pads

Modelers are always looking for a scrap piece of something to mix epoxy on. Many discount stores sell 450-count notepads for less than a buck. These make great palettes for mixing epoxy. When you've finished applying the epoxy you need, just tear off the top piece of paper and a new, clean palette is ready for use.

Harold Nance, Lesage, WV

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