I've built 1/2A planes for years usually used cloth or sewn hinges.  Just got an ARF Ringmaster.  What's the trick for installing the elevator hinges that came in the kit.  I assume it will be necessary to cut slots in the edges of the stabilizer and elevator.  How do you go about it.  I tried a search of the forum but really didn't find the information I am looking for.

If you're going to use the CA hinges that come with the kit, be sure to work them well before installing them.  Take a hinge and fold it in half.  Then fold it over the other way.  Do that about 100 times to work the hinge and make sure it moves freely.  Then, with the hinges folded about 90 degrees, slip them into the control surfaces and make sure the surfaces move with no binding.  Then glue.  Here's a quick video I shot for someone over on the Cox Engines Forum who asked how I made my hinges.  In the video I cut the hinges in half since they're for 1/2A planes.  You obviously wouldn't cut the Ringmaster hinges.  Take more care than I did in the video with the CA.  It was about midnight and I wasn't taking my time.




This is the method I used to attach the elevator in my Brodak Electric Ringmaster ARF.  I've been using these CA hinges for a good 25 years now, and I do this to all the CA hinges I install.  control surfaces move well, and I've never had a failed hinge.

Mark

Mark, you do as you see fit, but I will never use CA hinges on my control line birds.

In my opinion, I do not think you can get them free enough regardless of what you do , and especially with a smaller ship, the line tension to overcome the inherent resistance in CA hinges is not always reliable..